Growing Welsh Onions: A Simple Guide for Beginners

Welsh onions are a versatile and easy-to-grow crop that can add flavor and nutrition to your meals. As a member of the allium family, they're related to garlic, leeks, and shallots, but have a milder taste. In this article, we'll show you how to grow your own Welsh onions, even if you're new to gardening.

What Are Welsh Onions?

Welsh onions, also known as scallions or green onions, are a type of onion that doesn't develop a bulb. Instead, they grow long, slender green stalks with small white bulbs at the bottom. You can harvest both the greens and the bulb, which have a mild onion flavor.

Choosing a Location

Welsh onions prefer well-drained soil, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. They can be grown in full sun or partial shade, making them a great choice for gardens with varying light conditions. When choosing a spot, make sure it has good air circulation to prevent diseases like onion smut.

Planting Welsh Onions

Welsh onions can be planted from seed or sets, which are small bulbs. If planting from seed, start them indoors about 8-10 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant them outside once the soil has warmed up in the spring. If using sets, plant them about 1 inch deep and 4 inches apart in rows.

If growing in containers, use a pot that's at least 12 inches deep and wide, and fill it with a rich, well-draining soil mix. Sow the seeds thinly on the surface, and cover lightly with soil. Water regularly, but don't let the soil become waterlogged.

Caring for Welsh Onions

Welsh onions are fairly low-maintenance plants. Water them regularly, especially during dry spells, and fertilize every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer. You can also mulch around the plants to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

To encourage bushier growth, you can pinch back the tips of the stalks when they reach about 6 inches tall. This will cause them to branch out and produce more stems.

Harvesting Welsh Onions

You can start harvesting Welsh onions as soon as the green stalks are large enough to use. Simply snip off the tops with scissors or a knife, leaving about an inch of the stem attached to the bulb. Don't pull the entire plant out of the ground, as the bulb will continue to produce new shoots.

Welsh onions can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, stir-fries, salads, and omelets. The greens can be chopped and used like chives, while the bulbs can be sliced and sautéed like regular onions.

Welsh Onions in a Garden Bed

Pests and Diseases

Welsh onions are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but they can sometimes be affected by onion maggots, thrips, or leaf miners. To prevent these problems, rotate your crops each year and remove any infected plants promptly.

If you notice yellow spots on the leaves or a foul smell coming from the bulbs, your plants may have onion smut. Remove and destroy any infected plants, and avoid planting onions in the same spot for at least two years.

Growing Welsh onions is a simple and rewarding way to add fresh, flavorful ingredients to your meals. With a little care and attention, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of these delicious onions throughout the season. Happy growing!

scallions, green onions, gardening, onion smut, allium, crop rotation