Growing your own steady supply of green onions at home is very simple, economical, and simply brilliant.
I love a cheery little greenhouse on my windowsill in the dead of winter. There’s nothing like something springing to life and growing right before my eyes to encouraged me when it’s a lot drab outside.
Green Onions On Your Windowsill
It seemed every time I purchased a bunch of green onions I ended up throwing half of them into the compost as they went bad before I had a chance to use them all up.
The reality is, often I would use what I needed and forget about the rest. Now I can clip off the half cup or so that I need, and the rest just goes on happily growing.
Start With Green Onions From the Market
Next time you buy a bunch of green onions (aka scallions):
- Cut off the stalks 3-4″ from the roots.
- Place the white ends, roots down, into no more than an inch of cool water. Don’t overcrowd them.
- You will likely need to change the water every second or third day to keep the water level up and from getting a bit smelly. Just rinse off the roots well, and add fresh water.
- Once the shoots are placed in the sunshine, watch them sprout up and reach their full growing splendor in a week or so. I have been very pleased at how fresh and pretty they are in the windowsill, and because they are within sight, I’m not likely to forget to use them.
- This lush bunch is the result of a second cutting.
I can snip and use as much or as little as I please, and this is in the winter or summer months.
Note: I have read this can be done over and over for up to 5 cuttings during the winter months.
I have been snipping and regrowing for about 8 months now, but I found that after about 4 months the stalks seemed to regrow more thinly. It is a need for the natural minerals and bioactivity found in soil and not water alone.
If you fertilize the water, only use a fertilizer safe for food/produce. (This is a large supply but you can use this on your outdoor organic garden to give your produce an edge against pests and other disease that flourishes on weakened starts and plants. It is OMRI certified.)
You may want to planted them outside in your garden in the spring where they will flourish once more. Planted out in the garden in late March once the soil is workable.
I can recommend giving this idea a try, especially if you – like me – love to have something green growing in your window and only need green onions once in a while.
It is a perfect solution.
Re-Growing Celery From Cuttings
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Thanks for reading!
Judith says
I was linking up when your new post showed up and captured my attention!!!! Onions and green ones at that!! Delicious in a salad…yummy goodness!! Well, you must have seen my salad drawer in my fridge with green onions rotting because I forgot I had them!! I am going to try growing them as this is such a fantastic idea!! Why don’t you just link this up over at WholeHearted Home today?? I think the news should get out on this one (I’m sorry…I rarely ask this of someone but I just LOVE my onions!!)
Toni says
I love green onions, well, my whole family does so I use a lot of them. This is a great idea and so good on the eyes. Have a great day!
Naomi@WhatJoyIsMine says
Jacqueline…I’m going to do this. I love green in my house and green onions are a great addition to meals. Thank you for the information. You’re so smart. Blessings friend.
Cinnamon says
I love this!! So easy and the fact that I don’t have to drive to the store for onions makes me happy 🙂
~Cinnamon
Kim says
Love this! What a pretty & thrifty idea. I have stored them in a glass of water & clipped as I needed them. This is even better!
Thank you for sharing!
Jen says
I love this idea! I have some in my frig right now and after I use up the part I need I will def be trying this. thank you so much!
Rachel @ day2dayjoys says
What a simply great idea! I love green onions and always throw out the ends! Next time I’m gonna do this!
Alice (@mumsmakelists) says
I love this idea! Must give it a try
Journey11 says
Those should go to seed for you this summer too.
I don’t know why I never thought of this before. I always replant the white tips from the ramps I collect in the spring…same thing! 😛 Thanks for sharing this!
Charlotte Moore says
Hmmmmm!!! That is the part we eat the most of. I love spring onions but I just cut the root off and eat the rest.
Jacqueline says
Haha! I love the base, too, but to get the pretty green tops during the winter, well…Hmmmmmm Now the summer is a different story 😉
JES says
Brilliant! I love this idea, so easy to do. I end up using what I need while the rest goes slimy… Thank you for this tip 🙂
Lisa says
Will be trying this… Thanks! 🙂
Laura Lane says
What a lovely frugal idea! I’ve had parsley and cilantro in glasses above my kitchen sink for a little cheeriness. Something growing would be so much better. Thank you for sharing this with me. I’ve got to check my fridge for onions now.
Blessings to you from Harvest Lane Cottage!
Laura
Gin says
Thank you so much for this tip–I’ll be trying it soon!
Petra says
Mmm, what a refreshing idea. I think I could live in a garden quite happily, and healthily too. : ) I’m really looking forward to spring and summer.
How are you holding up? I’ve been keeping you in my prayers as God brings you to mind, and hope that all is well in your life. Thanks for keeping up with the super ideas and joyful encouragement. Blessings to you, Jacqueline!
Jacqueline says
Petra,
I thought of you and prayed for YOU yesterday! I am so thankful for you and appreciate your prayer support more than you know 🙂
I am doing well, and the Lord is faithful to help me. I hope you feel His presence and care everyday, sweet friend. Spring is coming soon!
Lydia Sherman says
So pretty, and such a good idea. Windows out of the kitchen, for a view , and for the windowsill, was so important to the women of the past, and I can see why!
Karen says
Guess what I have growing on my windowsill? 😀 It just so happened that I bought some scallions. Thanks for the reminder, dear friend! It won’t be long before we can start planting our seeds!!
Jacqueline says
Yes, Karen,
Haha!! Now you will have green onions for your baked potatoes!
I was just talking to my hubby about getting a small grow lite for the garage 🙂 So many ideas floating in my head.
Blessings, and a hug!
Countrified Hicks says
Love this idea! I have a weekly link-up that just went live a bit ago and would love for you to come and share this there!
http://countrifiedhicks.blogspot.com/2013/02/mondays-with-countrified-hicks-3.html
Jacqueline says
I will try to get over there! Blessings!
Kate @ Teaching What is Good says
What a GREAT idea!! Thanks so much, Jacqueline, for this wonderful tip. I always hated throwing away the bulbs…now I can use them to SAVE MONEY!!! Thanks for linking up, dear!