Spring Onion Growing Guide

5 Steps to Spring Onion Success

• Choose a sunny spot for successful spring onions.
• Prepare your soil well with organic matter like compost and sheep pellets.
• Add a layer of vegetable mix to plant into. Spring onions grow well planted in spring and autumn, and year-round in some regions of New Zealand.
• Feed every four weeks during key growth periods with vegetable food for plenty of leafy green growth.
• Keep your spring onions well watered and leave the roots in the ground after harvesting to regrow. 

Follow our full guide below for a bumper crop of homegrown spring onions.

Spring onions are quick growing onion cultivars that are harvested when small. The mild, sweet flavour of spring onion is quite something, and the vegetable is a good source of vitamins A, B and C. Both the leafy green tops and bulbs are used in the kitchen and can be eaten raw or cooked.

Prepare

Spring onions are relatively easy to grow, and just take a few months to mature, compared with twice this for bulb onions. Spring onions require full sun and well-cultivated fertile soil.

Refer to our Planting Calendar for when to plant spring onions in your region.

Plant

Like building a house a good foundation is the key to success in your garden. The better the soil, the better your plants will grow. If you are starting with an existing garden bed dig in organic matter like Tui Sheep Pellets and Tui Compost to your soil. Then you can add a layer of Tui Vegetable Mix. If planting in pots and containers, fill with Tui Vegetable Mix.

The best times to plant are early in the morning or late in the day, so the plants aren’t exposed to the hot sun straight away. Always water plants well before and after planting.

Planting in garden beds

• Water plants thoroughly before planting and allow to drain.
• Dig a hole, approximately twice the depth and width of the root ball of your plant.
• Partly fill the hole with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the centre of the hole.
• Fill in with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well.

Planting in pots and containers

• Water plants thoroughly before potting and allow to drain.
• Partly fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix.
• Gently loosen the root ball of your plant and position the plant in the container.
• Fill your container with Tui Vegetable Mix up to 3cm from the top.
• Tap the container gently on the ground to settle the mix.
• Press soil gently around the base of the plant.
• Water your plant well.

Protect your plants from the elements with layers of Tui Pea Straw Mulch, to help keep their roots moist and keep your garden weed free.

Nourish

Feed your plants and they will feed you. Plants use nutrients from the soil as they grow, so replenishing the nutrients ensures your spring onions will grow to their full potential. Select a fertiliser specially blended for your crop like Tui Vegetable Food.

Feed spring onions planted in pots and containers with Tui NovaTec Premium fertiliser.

Well watered, well nourished spring onions will have a better chance of keeping insect pests and diseases at bay. While your spring onions are growing regularly apply a dose of Tui Organic Seaweed Plant Tonic to give them a welcome boost.

Snip spring onions at the base when you are ready to harvest, and if you leave the roots in the ground they will regrow.