Growing Spring Onions

GROW YOUR OWN SPRING ONIONS

Spring is made more beautiful by blooming bulbs.Spring is the season when farmers pull immature onion bulbs from the ground, and the result is a sweet, tender, delicately flavored variety known as spring onions. Harvested for their taste, they are milder than most onions. They may be cooked or used raw as a part of salads, salsas, or Asian recipes. Diced scallions are used in soup, noodle and seafood dishes, as well as sandwiches, curries or as part of a stir fry.Here’s how to grow these brightly coloured gardening gems!

Sowing and Planting

• Select soil that has very good drainage as you will want the spring onions to remain moist but not over-watered. Plan an area to grow your spring onions that will receive a lot of sunlight.
• Spring onions can be sown straight in to the ground where they are going to grow, so make sure the space you are going to sow is weed free by using a trowel to remove the weeds. If the soil is dry, water the soil the day before you are going to sow your seeds.
• Rake the soil to a finely and make some drills 10-20mm deep. The rows should be spaced about 12cm apart.
• Sprinkle the seed in carefully and cover them up with soil. Remember to write a plant label so you know where you have sown the seeds.
• Feed with a general garden fertilizer or an organic vegetable fertilizer when planting; repeat every few weeks.
• A little water and a little weeding are all that are needed to ensure a plentiful crop. Water enough to keep the onions damp, but do not drench them as they grow.

Harvesting Spring Onions

• Within 18-20 weeks of planting, depending on climate, your spring onions should be ready for harvest.
• You can harvest your spring onions by simply pulling them gently out of the ground. Keep in mind that you should wash your spring onions before use. 
• You will enjoy your spring onions added to salads or chopped up to add flavoring to some of your other favorite dishes. 
• Spring onions bring a fresh texture and taste to any table, and can feature in a wide range of dishes.

Few Health Benefits Of Spring Onions

• Spring onions are very good source of vitamin C, chromium and dietary fiber  Spring onion lowers the blood sugar level.
• It is a support against gastrointestinal problems.
• It is often used as a medicine for common cold.
•  It is used as an appetizer as it helps digestion.
• It speeds up the level of blood circulation in the body.
• Possess antibacterial and anti fungal properties.

Chicken & Spring Onions Stir-Fry Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 boneless chicken thighs, cut into small pieces
• 1 tb dark soya sauce
• 1 tb light soya sauce
• 1 tb chinese wine
• 1 tb sugar
• 1 ts bicarbonate soda
• 1 ts potato starch
• 1 tb sesame oil
• 5 - 6 thumb-sized slices of ginger
• 2 cups of purple onions, roughly chopped
• 6 - 8 stalks of spring onions, cut into hand span-length pieces

Directions

• Marinate the chicken with all the seasonings, except ginger, onions and spring onions.
•  Heat oil & stir-fry the ginger and onions until fragrant. Make sure not to burn or brown them. Keep fire medium & steady.
•  Add chicken and stir for a minute of so. Lower fire, add 1/4 cup of water and close lid for 5 minutes.
• Throw in spring onions at the last minute and stir around. Turn off fire and serve immediately.