Growing green onions from seeds can take quite a while. In Calgary, the summer growing season is short, so I felt that starting green onions from seeds was not the best choice for my backyard garden.
I am not a professional farmer. So, instead of using the usual method, I decided to try something a little different inspired by a fond childhood memory.
When I was young, I remember my grandmother growing green onions during the winter. That memory came back to me when I was thinking about how I could grow green onions more quickly in Calgary.
How to Choose and Plant Green Onions
One day, I found green onions on sale at the grocery store. I chose fresh green onions with long, healthy roots because I wanted to give the plants a good start.
I cut the green onions about 5 cm (2 inches) above the roots. Then I planted the root sections in my garden.
I planted them deep enough so that only the very top of the stem was visible above the soil. I wanted the roots and the lower part of the stem to have good contact with the soil. After planting, I kept the soil from becoming too dry and waited to see what would happen.
Harvest Results in Calgary's Short Season
The result was much better than I expected. After about six weeks, the green onions had grown to about the same size as the ones I normally buy at the grocery store.
I was able to harvest plenty of fresh green onions from the roots I might otherwise have thrown away. For a short growing season like Calgary's, I was very happy with the result.
And the best part? This was not just a one-time harvest. I started this project in the spring, and I am now enjoying my second harvest.
This simple experiment taught me that gardening does not always have to start with seeds. Sometimes, a little creativity can help us make better use of the food we already have.
My Simple Tips for Success
If you want to try this method, here are a few simple tips based on my experience:
- Select Quality Roots: When buying green onions, choose ones that are fresh and have long, healthy roots.
- Proper Cutting Size: Leave about 5 cm (2 inches) of stem above the roots to keep the root section intact.
- Plant Deeply: Plant the root sections deep enough so that only the very top of the stem is visible above the soil.
- Soil Moisture: Keep the soil from becoming too dry, especially during warm or dry weather.
- Sunlight: Ensure the planted roots receive sufficient daily sunlight.
Final Thoughts
This is not a professional farming method. It is simply something I tried in my own backyard garden, but for me, it worked surprisingly well.
A bunch of green onions bought on sale at the grocery store became the beginning of another harvest. Every time I harvest them, I think about my grandmother and the winter green onions she used to grow. Sometimes, the simplest gardening ideas can bring back the best memories.
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