Scallions

The crisp, slender stalks of scallions are easy to grow and they take up very little space in a garden or on a windowsill.

Scallions, also known as green onions or spring onions, can either be immature onions before they set bulbs (spring onions), or a specific variety of Allium that never forms significant bulbs.

Scallions

Scallions in the garden

Scallions can be grown in window boxes, indoor planting containers, hanging planters, or in the ground. They can be grown in full sun or used in shade gardening. The spiky forms of newly growing scallions add a pretty accent to many plantings.

​How to grow scallions

Seeds can be started at any time of year and seedlings can be grown indoors or out. Seeds should be heavily planted, 1/2" deep. Scallions can grown in clumps, so there is no need to thin transplants. Scallion seeds require moisture to germinate and they can take a month to get started. Keep the soil moist and be patient. Like other onions, scallions have a shallow root system, so proper irrigation and frequent, gentle weeding are important. Scallions are heavy nitrogen feeders, so feed regularly with fish emulsion, blood meal, or alfalfa meal. Planting a new batch of scallion seeds every three weeks will keep you supplied with scallions year round. Also, each time you snip the base off of a scallion, those roots can be replanted to grow a new scallion!

Scallion pests and diseases

Scallions may be attacked by thrips. Thrip damage gives the leaves a white streaked look. Thrips can be reduced by spraying plants with soapy water. If tunnels are found in the underground portion of the plant, it may be onion maggots. Most members of the onion family are susceptible to onion white rot and other fungal diseases, such as onion rust. If nematodes are feeding on the root system, plants will appear stunted or deformed.