how to grow green onions from seed

How to Grow Green Onions from Seed: A Fun and Easy Project for Any Gardener

Key Takeaways
– Green onions are a versatile and delicious vegetable that you can grow indoors or outdoors from seed.
– You need to choose the best variety of green onions for your project, such as cherry tomatoes, dwarf tomatoes, or determinate tomatoes.
– You need to prepare the supplies for your project, such as containers, potting soil, fertilizer, stakes or cages, and grow lights.
– You need to plant and care for your green onions, such as watering, pruning, and supporting them.
– You need to harvest and enjoy your green onions, such as picking, storing, and using them in cooking or salads.
how to grow green onions from seed

Do you love fresh green onions but don’t have a garden? Don’t worry, you can still enjoy them by growing them indoors from seed! Growing green onions from seed is not as hard as you might think. In fact, it can be fun and rewarding.

Green onions are also known as scallions, spring onions, or bunching onions. They are a type of onion that has a mild and sweet taste and edible leaves and stems. They are great for garnishing, grilling, or gorging on.

In this article, we will show you how to grow green onions from seed step by step. You will learn what supplies you need, how to choose the best variety of green onions, how to plant and care for them, and how to harvest and enjoy them. By the end of this guide, you will be able to grow your own delicious green onions indoors all year round.

Ready to get started? Let’s go!

How to Choose the Best Variety of Green Onions for Indoor or Outdoor Growing

photo showing different varieties of green onion seeds in transparent packages

One of the most important factors for growing green onions from seed is choosing the right variety. Not all green onions are suitable for indoor growing. Some varieties are too large, too tall, or too prone to diseases. You want to choose a variety that is small, compact, and resistant to pests and diseases.

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Here are some of the best varieties of green onions for indoor or outdoor growing:

VarietyDescription
Cherry tomatoesThese are small tomatoes that come in different colors and shapes. They are sweet and juicy, and perfect for salads and snacks. They also produce a lot of fruits in a short time.
Dwarf tomatoesThese are miniature versions of regular tomatoes that grow only a few inches tall. They are ideal for small spaces and containers. They have a rich flavor and a long shelf life.
Determinate tomatoesThese are tomatoes that grow to a certain size and stop. They produce all their fruits at once and then die. They are easy to manage and don’t need much pruning or staking.

You can also try other varieties of green onions that are suitable for your climate and preference. Just make sure they have the following characteristics:

  • They are fast-growing and early-maturing
  • They have a bulbless or small bulb
  • They have a perennial or biennial life cycle
  • They have a high germination rate

You can buy green onion seeds or seedlings from your local nursery or online store. Make sure they are fresh and healthy, and follow the instructions on the package or label.

How to Prepare the Supplies for Indoor or Outdoor Green Onion Growing

photo displaying the supplies needed laid out on a table, which includes pots, potting soil, fertilizer, seeds, stakes, and grow lights

Once you have chosen your variety of green onions, you need to prepare the supplies for your project. You will need the following items:

  • Containers: You can use any type of container that has drainage holes at the bottom, such as pots, buckets, trays, or boxes. The size of the container depends on how many green onions you want to grow and how much space you have. A good rule of thumb is to use one gallon of container per 10 plants.
  • Potting soil: You can use any good-quality potting soil that is well-drained and rich in organic matter. You can also add some compost or worm castings to improve the soil fertility and texture.
  • Fertilizer: You can use any balanced fertilizer that is suitable for vegetables, such as 10-10-10 or 20-20-20. You can also use organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract.
  • Seeds or seedlings: You can use either seeds or seedlings to start your green onion project. Seeds are cheaper and more available, but they take longer to germinate and grow. Seedlings are more expensive and less available, but they are faster and easier to grow.
  • Stakes or cages: You can use stakes or cages to support your green onions as they grow. Stakes are wooden or metal rods that you insert into the soil and tie the plants to. Cages are wire or plastic structures that you place over the plants and let them grow through.
  • Grow lights: You can use grow lights if you are growing green onions indoors or in low-light conditions. Grow lights are artificial lights that mimic the sun and provide the plants with the right amount and quality of light. You can use fluorescent, LED, or HID grow lights.
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How to Plant and Care for Indoor or Outdoor Green Onions

how to grow green onions from seed

Now that you have prepared the supplies, you are ready to plant and care for your green onions. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Fill the containers with potting soil and fertilizer. Leave about an inch of space from the top of the container.
  • Make holes in the soil for the seeds or seedlings. The holes should be about 1/4 inch deep and 2 inches apart.
  • Plant the seeds or seedlings in the holes and cover them lightly with soil. Water them well and label them with the variety name and date of planting.
  • Place the containers near a sunny window or under grow lights. Green onions need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight or 12 hours of artificial light per day.
  • Water your green onions regularly but not too much. The soil should be moist but not soggy. You can check the soil moisture level by inserting your finger into the soil up to the second knuckle. If it feels dry, water it. If it feels wet, wait until it dries a bit.
  • Prune and support your green onions as they grow. You can trim off any dead or diseased leaves or stems with scissors or a knife. You can also tie your green onions to stakes or cages with twine or clips to keep them upright and prevent them from falling over.
  • Fertilize your green onions every two weeks with a half-strength solution of fertilizer. Follow the directions on the fertilizer package or label.
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How to Harvest and Enjoy Indoor or Outdoor Green Onions

close-up photo of harvested green onions with their white bulbs and green stalks.

You can harvest your green onions when they are ripe and firm. This usually takes about 60 to 90 days from planting, depending on the variety and growing conditions.

To harvest your green onions, you can either pull them out of the soil by their roots or cut them off at the base with scissors or a knife. You can harvest them all at once or as needed.

You can store your green onions at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze them for up to six months.

You can use your green onions in many ways, such as:

  • Adding them to salads, sandwiches, soups, stir-fries, omelets, or casseroles
  • Making green onion pancakes, muffins, breads, or dips
  • Pickling them in vinegar, sugar, salt, and spices
  • Drying them in a dehydrator or oven and using them as a seasoning

Green onions are not only tasty but also healthy. They are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, fiber, and antioxidants. They can help boost your immune system, lower your blood pressure, improve your digestion, and prevent infections.

Conclusion

landscape photo showing green onions planted in outdoor garden beds alongside other vegetables like tomatoes and peppers

Growing green onions from seed is a fun and easy project for any gardener. You can grow them indoors or outdoors from seed with minimal supplies and care. You can enjoy fresh and delicious green onions all year round.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to grow green onions from seed. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We would love to hear from you.

Thank you for reading and happy gardening!

About The Author

Samantha
Samantha

I'm Samantha, a plant enthusiast who has been growing plants for years. I believe that plants can make our lives better, both physically and mentally. I started growit.wiki to share my knowledge about how to grow plants. I want to help others enjoy the beauty and benefits of plants.

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