Spring onions (also called green onions or salad onions) are crunchy and mild-flavoured members of the allium family, prized for adding freshness and texture to salads, soups, curries and garnishes. Unlike bulb onions, spring onions are harvested young, which makes them ideal for home gardening, even in small spaces like balconies or terraces.
One inspiring example of urban gardening success is Ashok Rao, a 68-year-old former banker in Hyderabad, India. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he turned his 2,000-square-foot rooftop into an organic garden with more than 200 plants, including spring onions, coriander, mint, tomatoes and more.
For him, gardening has become more than a hobby; it is a way of life that brings healthy food, peace of mind and sustainable daily meals. His experience offers practical lessons for growing spring onions and for home gardening in general.
1. Choose the right spot and containers
Spring onions love sunlight and well-drained soil.
- Pick a sunny spot, ideally one that gets four to six hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Use pots, grow bags, window boxes or terrace planters with good drainage holes.
- Choose containers 20 to 25 cm deep so the roots have room to grow.
One inspiring example of urban gardening success is Ashok Rao, a 68-year-old former banker in Hyderabad, India.
Ashok’s success with a rooftop garden shows that ample space and sunlight can dramatically improve yields, but spring onions can also grow in smaller containers with proper care.
2. Prepare quality soil
Good soil is the foundation of a healthy crop.
- Mix garden soil with compost and organic matter to create a light, nutrient-rich medium.
- You can use vermicompost or homemade compost, just as Ashok does in his terrace garden, to enrich the soil naturally and sustainably.
Aim for a loamy, well-aerated soil that allows water to drain easily while still letting roots access moisture.
3. Planting spring onion seeds or sets
You can grow spring onions from seeds or from small onion sets (tiny bulbs).
From seeds:
- Sow seeds half to one centimetre deep, spaced about two to three centimetres apart.
- Cover lightly with soil and water gently.
Spring onions can grow in smaller containers with proper care. Photograph: (Herzindagi)
From sets:
- Place each set two to three centimetres deep, planted five to seven centimetres apart.
- Make sure the pointed end faces upwards.
Whichever method you choose, keep the soil lightly moist and not waterlogged.
4. Water regularly but sensibly
Spring onions need consistent moisture, especially when establishing.
- Water once or twice a week, depending on the temperature, more often in hot weather.
- Avoid overwatering; soggy soil leads to root rot.
The gardener emphasises regular care in his rooftop garden routine as a key to plant health and yield.
5. Feed your plants organically
For vigorous growth:
- Apply organic fertiliser or compost tea every three to four weeks.
- Avoid harsh chemical fertilisers, especially for edible greens.
Organic matter not only feeds plants, but it also improves soil structure, something Ashok achieves by composting kitchen waste, leaves, cow dung, and other materials for his entire garden.
You can grow spring onions from seeds or from small onion sets (tiny bulbs). Photograph: (Herzindagi)
6. Keep pests at bay
Spring onions are generally low-maintenance, but pests can sometimes be an issue.
- Use natural pest deterrents like neem oil sprays or companion planting with pest-repelling herbs.
- Ashok sprays neem oil periodically as part of his organic pest control practice on the terrace garden.
Avoid chemical pesticides if you plan to eat the greens.
7. Harvest at the right time
Spring onions don’t take long to grow.
- You can begin harvesting when stems are 15-20 cm tall.
- Snip the greens as needed; new shoots will continue to grow.
Unlike bulb onions, you are harvesting the green tops and young stems, so you can take what you need and allow the rest to mature further.
Spring onions need consistent moisture, especially when establishing. Photograph: (The Spruce)
8. Enjoy fresh and homegrown flavour
Once your spring onions are ready, use them fresh in salads, stir-fries, soups and dips. Growing your own means you will enjoy flavour far superior to many store-bought greens.
Ashok and his wife adjust their meals based on what’s available fresh from their garden, making dishes like tomato rice and herb-flavoured meals that change with the season.
Growing spring onions at home is an easy and rewarding project, whether you have a balcony, terrace or small garden space. And remember, gardening does not have to be a chore. It can be a source of peace, health and daily joy, and a way to reconnect with nature right where you live.
