Egyptian onion, also called tree, top setting, and walking onions are unique in different ways. They grow a cluster of bulblets where most onions have a flower. These sets can be planted in the fall for very early spring green onions. After the bulblets, as shown in the first photo, have matured and its stem has become dry and brittle, by cutting the stem off at ground level in late summer, a second crop of green onions will grow up from the parent bulb in the fall. The second photo taken in September shows this tasty fall crop.

Egyptian onions tend to be much stronger than other bunching onions, but for someone who relishes that taste and enjoys having an abundance to eat, they can be enjoyed as early as the spring and again in the fall.

While enjoying the green onions in the fall, the sets harvested earlier can be planted at the same time. They should be planted in good soil about 2 cm deep and 15 cm apart. They will be the earliest green onions to mature.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”5232″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]It is very obvious that Egyptian onions propagate and multiply profusely. They will even self-propagate if the gardener fails to harvest the bulblets, as they will mature, fall to the ground, and begin to grow the following year’s crop.

Lester C. Fretz, M.Sc., is a member of the Dunnville Horticulture Society.

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