by Connie C.
Member since:
August 4, 2006

The Cycle Of Winter Onions

June 18, 2008 10:53 PM UTC
views: 0 | 4 people recommend this | comments: 31

We have fresh green onions year round. As long as the ground is not too froze for me to pull them up, I just run out to the garden and get fresh onions whenever I need them. If the ground is frozen, I have to take the hoe but I still get my onions.

Winter onions are great. They are so different from regular green onions yet they are so much alike. In early spring, the onions can be picked as young tender green onions.

In about April, the begin to for a single onion set on the top of the onion.

This single onion set then turns into two onion sets

As the onions sets multiply, you can see the bud open up.

This one is a bit blurry but you can still see that  the onion sets begin to grow the green of the onion while still on the "mama" onion.

 

This time of year, you will see the onion sets forming on the tops of the green onions.

The tops of the green onions with green sprouts already growing from the sets. You can now separate the bulbs from the tops of each onion and plant it anew. They will grow and you can eat them from now on. Yes, winter onions are good and tender all year long.

Comments: 31

Karen M. Jun 18, 2008, 10:58pm UTC
Great article...I would have to first dig through several feet of snow in the winter...LOL
Priscilla (wishing I was in Costa Rica) ~. Jun 18, 2008, 10:59pm UTC
So you take the set off of the top & plant that to grow new onions?
Cool essay~
Connie C. Jun 18, 2008, 11:01pm UTC
Priscilla,
Yes, we have fresh green onions year round from these bulbs.
Marianne R. Jun 18, 2008, 11:02pm UTC
Informative essay.
LittleMissSunshine A. Jun 18, 2008, 11:10pm UTC
I had no idea you could do that. The pictures were very helpful too!!!
Deb J. Jun 18, 2008, 11:52pm UTC
Nice picture essay about those delicious little onions Connie! I grow them myself right beside my house. They are so yummy!
Janet "Jax" B. Jun 19, 2008, 1:07am UTC
How neat Connie. My folks use to have winter onions, but I don't think they are growing anything this year.
Teresa W. Jun 19, 2008, 1:16am UTC
I didn't know they grew like that! Cool
Money $. Jun 19, 2008, 6:30am UTC
Nice photo essay!
Jennifer- Very lucky mommy S. Jun 19, 2008, 7:19am UTC
great article thanks for sharing !!!!!
sheila ~the hapless housewife~ j. Jun 19, 2008, 8:11am UTC
Cool! I don't eat onions, but it's interesting to see how these grow.
Pam H. Jun 21, 2008, 7:22am UTC
Never heard of winter onions to be honest with you. Kind of interesting though
→ Victoria ← Jun 23, 2008, 10:57pm UTC
Blech. I hate onions. : )


Thanks so much for posting to All Photo Essays Here!
Vikki M. Jul 11, 2008, 3:52am UTC
That's so neat! Great photos! You know, I don't think I've ever had a green onion. :(
rainne c. Dec 6, 2008, 7:26pm UTC
i never knew you could do this thank you and great money saving tip
Heather E. Apr 25, 2010, 12:36am UTC
I have not had winter onions since I moved to Kansas. I got the parent plants this week and planted them. Some look as if they are developing the babies. The person I was getting them from said to just plant the bulb, so I did.
Connie C. May 11, 2010, 7:21pm UTC
Heather,
If yours don't work out well for you, just let me know and I will try to mail you some.
Sonia M. May 11, 2010, 6:14pm UTC
I couldn't believe I missed this post....but then I saw the date and this was originally posted when I was still in NC taking care of our paren'ts' situation - I was gone 4 months and my Gather visits were very sporadic.

Thanks for sending me over here, Connie. This is so interesting I can't wait now to plant onions!
Connie C. May 11, 2010, 7:22pm UTC
Sonia,

If yours don't work out for you, let me know and I will try to mail you some bulbs from our garden.
Sonia M. May 11, 2010, 8:26pm UTC
What a sweet offer! Thank you, Connie and I will keep it in mind!
Ruthi C. Aug 19, 2010, 1:48am UTC
Green onion are the only onions I will eat! Great essay, Connie!
Connie C. Aug 19, 2010, 7:38pm UTC
Can't beat fresh green onions. :)
sally g. Aug 19, 2010, 3:55am UTC
I love green onions.
Connie C. Aug 19, 2010, 7:37pm UTC
Winter onions are great because as long as you don't eat all of them the first year, you will have onions from now on. The summer of the first year, you will get more bulbs than you know what to do with. :) Good luck in the contest.
Michelle W. Aug 19, 2010, 8:42am UTC
I love all onions. I think they are the best. I tried to grow some this year, but my stupid zucchini killed them out! :(
Connie C. Aug 19, 2010, 7:40pm UTC
This just may give you the chance to get them started before you plant anything else next year. If you win, you will be planting the sets as soon as they arrive. :)
Sophie S. Aug 19, 2010, 9:12am UTC
This is my first year growing onions and so far it has been a total success!
Renee (Pres of Baby James Foundation) ~. Aug 19, 2010, 6:10pm UTC
Very cool
Marsha C. Aug 19, 2010, 9:50pm UTC
do you eat the tops?
Risa G. Aug 20, 2010, 12:22am UTC
Very interesting Connie. I have onions that grow wild in my raised bed but when I pick them they are more like a small garlic clove, but it is not garlic. I grow garlic separately. I got 12 bulbs this year from planting them in December. I had 4 varieties. So much fun to grow.

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