Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Bunching onions are an excellent vegetable: easy, prolific, mild or pungent depend-
ing on the season, and well worth the small space they take in the garden. They are un-
usually hardy and can sometimes be harvested when it means brushing aside the snow
to get at them. I never have enough scallions, so these are a joy. I don't have to choose
between my onion crop and early scal-lions, or feel guilty at the thought that I'm sacri-
ficing a large onion.
Appearance
Bunching onions are scallions, and that's what they look like. They differ in one im-
portant respect from ordinary young onion shoots: The clumps grow with several “scal-
lions” bunched together, as if you planted too many seeds in one spot. It is easy to see
why they are called bunching onions. The shoots divide into more shoots as they grow,
and they are harvested by pulling shoots away from the main bunch when you want
some to eat. Each shoot is a whole scallion.
The stalks are silvery white and about ¾ inch in diameter. Usually they grow 12
to 14 inches tall, but some varieties may be shorter or taller. Plants grow into compact
clumps that are easy to tuck into various corners of the garden.
How to Grow
Getting started.
Plant seeds early in spring for summer use, or in July or August for
fall or very early spring use. They are winter hardy almost everywhere; mulch in areas
where the winters are severe. If you're growing them on your windowsill, sow them
anytime.
Planting.
Sow small seeds about ½ inch deep and 2 inches apart. Don't sow in boring
rows like ordinary vegetables but in clumps throughout the garden as an accent plant.
Growing needs.
Give bunching onions a moderately rich soil with good drainage if you
want spectacular plants. Dig in compost and a balanced fertilizer before planting, and
feed once a month with liquid fertilizer or a fish-and-seaweed product. Water normally,
but don't overdo it.
They require little care other than weeding and multiply readily. If you let plants
flower, they'll self-sow. You only have to plant once for a lifetime supply. Divide two-
to three-year-old clumps in spring or early summer to prevent overcrowding and in-
crease your supply.
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