Growing Walking Onions: A Guide to Cultivating and Harvesting

Have you ever heard of walking onions? These unique and easy-to-grow plants are also known as tree onions, Egyptian onions, or perennial onions. What makes them special is their ability to produce bulblets on the top of their stalks, which then grow into new plants. This means that once you plant walking onions in your garden, you can enjoy an endless supply of these delicious and nutritious onions for years to come.

What are Walking Onions?

Walking onions (Allium proliferum) are a type of onion that belongs to the Allium genus, which also includes garlic, shallots, and chives. They are called "walking" onions because they have a unique way of reproducing themselves. Unlike regular onions, walking onions produce bulblets on the top of their stalks instead of seeds. When these bulblets become too heavy, they cause the stalk to bend over and touch the ground, where they will take root and grow into new plants. This process gives the impression that the onions are "walking" around your garden.

How to Grow Walking Onions

Walking onions are relatively easy to grow and require little maintenance. Here are the steps to growing them:

1. Choose a location: Walking onions prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. Choose a spot with well-draining soil and enough space for the plants to spread out.
2. Plant the bulbs: Plant the walking onion bulbs in early spring, about 1-2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart. Make sure the pointed end faces up.
3. Water regularly: Water the onions regularly, especially during hot and dry weather.
4. Fertilize: Walking onions don't need much fertilizer, but you can apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year.
5. Harvest: You can start harvesting walking onions when the green stalks are about 1 foot tall. Simply snap off the bulblets and use them in your cooking, or replant them to grow more onions.

Benefits of Growing Walking Onions

Growing walking onions has several benefits:

• Low maintenance: Walking onions require little care and attention, making them an ideal choice for busy gardeners.
• Perennial: Walking onions are perennial plants, meaning they will keep coming back year after year, providing a continuous supply of onions.
• Self-sufficient: Because walking onions reproduce themselves, you don't need to buy or plant new bulbs every year.
• Unique flavor: Walking onions have a milder and sweeter flavor than regular onions, making them a delicious addition to any dish.
• Health benefits: Walking onions are rich in vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, iron, and potassium, and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Walking onion bulbs ready for planting

Tips for Growing Walking Onions

Here are some tips to help you grow healthy and abundant walking onions:

• Don't overcrowd: Walking onions can spread quickly, so make sure to give them enough space to grow.
• Harvest regularly: To prevent the stalks from bending over and touching the ground, harvest the bulblets regularly. You can also trim the stalks to encourage the growth of new bulblets.
• Rotate crops: To avoid soil-borne diseases and pests, rotate your walking onions with other crops every few years.
• Save the greens: The green stalks of walking onions are also edible and can be used in soups, stews, salads, and stir-fries.
• Store properly: To store walking onions, dry them first by leaving them in a warm and well-ventilated area for a few weeks. Once they are completely dry, remove the outer layer of skin and store them in a cool and dry place.

Wild onions are a close relative of walking onions

Growing walking onions is a fun and rewarding experience that can provide you with a constant supply of fresh and flavorful onions. By following these simple steps and tips, you can grow healthy and abundant walking onions in your own garden. So why not give it a try?

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