5. Good Organic Gardening - September-October 2016 AvxHome.in

TIME TO PLANT | Spring onion
- in the -
vegie patch
Spring onion
Allium cepa var. Aggregatum
Shallots, scallions, green onions —
whatever you call them, spring onions
are hard to pin down but easy to grow
Words Jennifer Stackhouse
Confusion reigns when it comes
to naming onion relatives and
the same names can mean very
different vegetables. Names vary
from country to country, but there’s also a
difference between what’s written on a seed
packet or seedling label and what they’re
called at the greengrocer or supermarket.
The humble spring onion is known as a
shallot (and sold as this in supermarkets),
but that name is also used for small onions
or eschallots. Other names for spring onions
include scallions (in the US), bunching onions
and green onions.
Spring onions have narrow, pencil-thick
stems with green leafy tops, white bases and
a fringe of small roots. They don’t have the
swollen stem base of the onion or eschallot
and are a type of immature onion.
Although any onion can be harvested early
as a spring onion, there are varieties that have
been developed specifically for harvest when
still young. These may be called spring onion
or shallot bunching onion on the seed packet.
‘Straight Leaf’ is a popular named variety
of spring onion to grow as it stands straight
and keeps its stem and leaves clear of the soil,
reducing the chance of dirt infiltrating the stalks.
Growing
Spring onions are easy to grow — much
easier than other onions — and suit a wide
range of climates and garden conditions,
including containers. They are grown year
round in tropical and subtropical zones but
planted from spring to autumn in other areas.
Grow spring onions from seed or plant
seedlings. To keep a supply on hand, stagger
sowings, making plantings around every four
to six weeks.
Spring onions are grown in rows 20–30cm
apart but can be closely planted. Sow seeds
5–6mm deep. Thin emerging seedlings to
around 7–10cm apart.
If growing from seedlings, soak punnets
well and tease the fine seedlings apart. Make
a shallow furrow in the soil around 6mm
The humble spring
onion is known as a
shallot (and sold as
this in supermarkets),
but that name is also
used for small onions
or eschallots.
CanStockPhoto
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