Egyptian Walking Onion NEW

How to Grow Egyptian Walking Onions:

Description: Known botanically as Allium x proliferum, Egyptian Walking Onions are a genetic cross between common onions (Allium cepa) and Welsh onions (Allium fistulosum), and they share many of the characteristics you'd expect from combining these two esteemed culinary varieties. Also known as tree onions, Egyptian onions and topsetting onions, walking onions earned their common name through the plants' unique way of spreading around the garden. Although technically a biennial which takes two years to complete a life cycle, walking onions are best treated as a perennial, as a single sowing can lead to a lifelong supply. As the plant matures, miniature bulbs called bulbils form inside the flowers, and if left to their own devices they'll grow and arch down to the ground. Where they touch the earth, roots will form, and a new plant will develop. This habit makes the plants appear to ‘walk’ across the veggie patch, covering it within a few seasons. The ease with which the onions reproduce has made them a popular onion variety for gardeners who practice permaculture.

Propagation: 

There are two main methods for propagating Egyptian Walking Onions, by planting mature bulbs, or planting the small bulbils from the tops of the plant. Both can be grown with the same care, the bulbils will just take a couple years to mature, whereas the mature bulb will produce a large clump by the end of the growing season. If you want to grow for larger mature bulbs, a spacing of around 40cm is ideal. If you would like a steady production of smaller green onions and tops (to use like chives / spring onions), you can plant them closer at 10cm or so. 

Watering and Fertilising:

Once the plants are established we recommend watering 1 – 2 times per week. Fertilising can be done to boost production. Adding organic compost to the beds prior to planting would be a great way of doing this. 

Harvesting:

If you are using these like chives / spring onions you can simply go out to the garden and remove a couple plants from the edge of a clump to use in your cooking. Do not remove the whole plant as this will ensure it continues to grow and clump, and you will have an unlimited supply.

If growing form mature bulbs, like other alliums walking onions will signal that harvest time is near when the leaves start to look brown, dried and scruffy. It usually takes about five months from planting to harvest, although of course local conditions will have an effect on growing time. Once the stem itself starts to dry, carefully dig up the bulbs with a garden fork and place them individually on a wire rack, or hang them in individual net bags. Leave them in a cool, dry place out of the sun to cure, hardening their skins to extend their storage life. Once the skins are fully dry, usually taking a couple of weeks, the onions can be stored in a basement or other cool, dry, dark place where they'll last for up to 12 months.