Spring Onions in Perth
Allium cepa
Spring onions are fast-growing, mild-flavoured onions grown for their green stems and small bulbs. They are easy to grow and can be sown in succession for a continuous harvest. Hardy varieties can even be sown in late autumn to overwinter for an early spring crop. Spring onions don't take much space and grow well in containers or between slower-growing vegetables.
Growing Guide
Step-by-step instructions for growing Spring Onion
Planting Calendar
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Guide for sowing spring onions in autumn to overwinter for an early spring harvest.
1 Sow Seeds in Autumn
August to September is a good time to sow a winter-hardy spring onion variety (e.g. 'White Lisbon') for overwintering. Sow seeds about deep in an open, sunny spot. If autumn weather is dry, keep the seed bed moist to encourage germination before winter sets in.
2 Winter Care
As temperatures drop, ensure the bed is weed-free and protect seedlings in extreme cold. If hard frosts or snow are expected, cover the young plants with fleece or a cloche. Good drainage is important over winter to prevent the onions rotting in waterlogged soil.
3 Thin in Spring
When growth resumes in early spring, thin the overwintered seedlings to apart if they are crowded. Thinning in spring will give the remaining onions space to swell before harvest.
4 Harvest
Overwintered spring onions will be ready to harvest in spring, earlier than spring-sown crops. Pull them up from about March to May once they reach a good size. Enjoy them fresh, as their flavour is best straight from the garden.
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