Gardeners Almanac

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Scallions

Garden Vegetables

How to Grow Scallions in Your Home Garden: A Quick-Growing Kitchen Favorite

Scallions, also known as green onions, are a fast-growing, space-efficient, and flavorful addition to your garden. Ideal for small plots and containers, they’re perfect for Canadian climates and continuous harvesting.

Why Grow Scallions?

  • Fast-growing: Ready in as little as 30 days.

  • Space-saving: Ideal for raised beds and containers.

  • Cold-tolerant: Suitable for early spring and fall planting.

  • Continuous harvest: Cut-and-come-again growth habit.

Best Scallion Varieties for Canadian Gardens

  • White Lisbon: Popular heirloom, quick to mature.

  • Evergreen Hardy White: Winter-hardy, slow to bolt.

  • Ishikura: Japanese type with long white stalks.

  • Red Beard: Unique red-stemmed scallion, very ornamental.

Soil Requirements

  • Type: Loose, well-drained, fertile soil.

  • pH: 6.0–7.0.

  • Fertility: Moderate; amend with compost or balanced fertilizer.

Avoid heavy clay or poorly draining areas.

Sunlight & Temperature

  • Sun: Full sun to partial shade (4–6 hours minimum).

  • Temperature: Grows best in 10–24°C (50–75°F).

  • Frost Tolerance: Good; can withstand light frosts.

Planting Guidelines

  • Direct sow: 2–4 weeks before last frost in spring.

  • Succession sow: Every 2–3 weeks for continuous harvest.

  • Spacing:

    • Seeds: 1/2 inch apart in rows.

    • Rows: 10–12 inches apart.

  • Depth: 1/4 inch deep.

Thin seedlings as needed or harvest early.

Watering & Feeding

  • Watering: Keep soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells.

  • Feeding: Light applications of nitrogen fertilizer every 2–3 weeks.

Yield Per Square Foot

  • Per square foot: 16–25 scallions.

Densely plant for small, tender stalks; thin for larger ones.

Common Pests & Diseases

  • Pests: Onion maggots, thrips.

  • Diseases: Botrytis, downy mildew.

  • Prevention: Rotate crops, use clean seed, avoid overwatering.

Harvesting Tips

  • Begin harvesting when stalks are pencil-thick.

  • Cut or pull plants at soil level.

  • Leave roots for possible regrowth (in mild climates).

Storage Tips

  • Store in the fridge in a damp paper towel or upright in water.

  • Best used fresh within 7–10 days.

Container Growing

  • Use 6+ inch deep pots.

  • Sow seeds thickly.

  • Water frequently and fertilize lightly.

Enjoying Your Scallions

  • Chop raw into salads, salsas, and stir-fries.

  • Grill or roast whole for a mild, sweet flavor.

  • Garnish soups, baked potatoes, and dips.

🌿 Scallion Planting Calendar (Southern Canada)

Task Timeline Notes
Direct sow outdoors Early to mid April As soon as soil can be worked
Succession sowing Every 2–3 weeks Until mid-August for a steady supply
Harvest begins Late May to October Harvest when stems reach pencil thickness

Scallion Planting Diagram

 Raised Bed Layout (4 ft x 4 ft)

 +-----------------------------+
 | o o o o o o o o o o         |  o = Scallion (1–2 in. apart)
 | o o o o o o o o o o         |
 | o o o o o o o o o o         |
 +-----------------------------+

Container Setup:

  • Use a shallow but wide container (6+ in. deep).

  • Keep soil moist and fertilize lightly every few weeks.

🧄 Companion Chart: Scallions vs. Onions vs. Chives

Feature Scallions Onions Chives
Days to Harvest 30–60 days 90–120 days 60–90 days
Yield per sq. ft. 16–25 stalks 9–16 bulbs Many clumps
Growth Habit Tall, leafy stalks Bulb-forming Grass-like tufts
Best Planting Time Early spring, midsummer Early spring Spring or fall
Storage Longevity 1 week (fresh use) 2–6 months Best fresh, frozen ok
Container Friendly Excellent Good Excellent
Common Uses Raw garnish, stir-fry Cooked and raw Garnish, herb butter

 

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