Quick Garden Tips
- Bunching onions are called by different names, including green onions, scallions and spring onions.
- Bunching onions can be grown outdoors from seed when the soil temperature is at least 50 degrees F. You can also start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before your planting date and transplant outdoors.
- Space plants at least 1 inch apart from each other. Water enough to keep the soil evenly moist.
- Keep weeds away from onion plants. Try spreading mulch, such as chopped straw or leaves, around plants to help keep out weeds and hold in moisture.
Season and Location
- Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or part shade.
Container Gardening
- Bunching onions grow well in containers.
- Choose a container at least 6 inches deep with holes near the bottom for water drainage.
- Place container outdoors in full or part sun or indoors near a sunny window.
- Water regularly to keep the soil from drying out.
Key Pests and Diseases
- Pests: allium leaf miner, cutworms, onion maggots, slugs, thrips
- Disease: powdery mildew, rust
- Leave enough space between plants and keep weeds away.
- Do not grow onions in the same soil each year.
When to Plant and Harvest Bunching Onions in Oregon
- Coast: Plant January through May to harvest in March through July.
- Western Valleys: Plant March through May to harvest in June through July.
- Central/Eastern (high elevations): Plant May through June to harvest July through August.
- Columbia and Snake Valleys: Plant Feb through April to harvest April through June.
Some Types to Grow
- He-shi-ko, Ishikura, White Lisbon
When and How to Harvest
- Harvest any time after the plant is 6 inches high.
- Cut off leaves as desired and they will grow back several times during the growing season.
- When ready to pull up the entire plant, loosen the soil around the onion with a fork.
- Remove soil from the roots and trim them. Rinse and dry the onions before using or storing.
Storage and Cooking
- Bunching onions are a common ingredient or garnish in many recipes. The green part is mild and sweet; the white part has more onion flavor.
- Store bunching onions in a plastic bag in your refrigerator for about 1 week.
- For longer storage, bunching onions can be frozen to use in cooked dishes. Chop, put on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Move to a labeled freezer container and use within 4 months.
- Try this Food Hero recipe: Veggie Quiche Muffins