Can You Plant Green Onions in Potting Soil?

Green onions, also known as scallions or spring onions, are a versatile ingredient in many dishes, and can even be eaten raw as a garnish or in salads. If you're looking to grow your own green onions, you may be wondering if you can grow them in potting soil. The short answer is yes, you can. But before you get started, here's what you need to know.

Choosing the Right Container

The first step to growing green onions in potting soil is to choose the right container. You want something that's deep enough for the onions to grow to their full size, but not too deep that it wastes soil. A container with a diameter of at least 6 inches and a depth of 8 inches should be sufficient. You can choose a clay pot, plastic pot or any other container that has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging.

Prepping Your Potting Soil

Next, you need to prepare your potting soil. Green onions thrive in well-draining soil, and potting mixes are perfect for this purpose. You can either buy a pre-made potting mix or make your own by mixing equal parts of peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Avoid using garden soil as it can compact and hold too much moisture, which may lead to root rot. Add some compost to your potting mix to provide nutrients to the plants.

Sowing the Seeds

When you're ready to plant, sprinkle the seeds onto the soil, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Cover them lightly with a thin layer of soil, and water gently. Green onion seeds typically germinate in 7 to 10 days, depending on the temperature and moisture level. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place the container in a sunny spot.

Caring for Your Green Onions

Green onions grow quickly and require minimal care. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not saturated. Give them a light dose of fertilizer every few weeks to keep them healthy. You can also thin them out once they reach about 3 inches in height, by cutting the unwanted sprouts at the base. This allows the remaining plants to grow bigger.

Harvesting Your Green Onions

Your green onions can be harvested when they reach a height of about 6 inches. You can either choose to harvest the entire plant or simply cut off the green tops and leave the white bulbs in the soil to regrow. Harvesting is simple - just grasp the stem and pull it gently out of the soil. Rinse them under cool water, dry them and use them in your favorite dish.

Conclusion

Growing green onions in potting soil is easy and rewarding, and can save you money in the long run. Remember to choose a suitable container, prepare your potting soil, sow the seeds, care for your plants, and reap your harvest. With a little effort and patience, you can enjoy fresh and flavorful green onions throughout the year.