Anyway, the garden at the new house included a patch of these walking onions, also known as Egyptian onions, topset onions, winter onions, tree onions, and multiplier onions. The growing season had already passed, and we were busy moving in. We also needed a secure place to keep Lydia’s sheep while proper accommodations were being built for them. So they went into the fenced garden area with the walking onions. The sheep didn’t eat them, but they sure trampled them to death. I wasn’t too worried; I figured at least a few would come back and I could transplant them where I wanted.
They came back with a vengeance. So that was the first positive for learning how to grow and use them. They are hardy little buggers that reproduce prolifically. And if they multiply too much, or you need them in a different location, they are easy to transplant.
The second advantage walking onions offer is that they are fresh and available throughout spring, summer, and fall. (Those living in warmer climates can enjoy them year-round.) No more having to buy onions at the grocery store, especially with rising costs and other issues. I’m not the only one who has noticed recently that store-bought onions start spoiling pretty quickly.
As one of the first vegetables to emerge in the spring, walking onions shoot their green stalks to the sky, even through the snow. At this point, the leaves may be snipped off and used as chives or scallions.
In time, the smaller leaves yield to make way for a large,
dominant stalk that shoots up to three feet high. At the top of this stalk, a cluster of
bulbils or bulblets begins to grow.
These “topset” clusters contain from 1 to 30 individual bulbils that can
be plucked off and planted, or they can be left on the plant. If the plant is sturdy enough, these bulbils
may also start growing and shoot out their own stalks, thus evolving into “tree”
onions. However, most of the time the stalks with the topsets fall over, with the topsets landing on the soil. Shortly thereafter, the topsets take root and begin growing. The process repeats, and if you do not control them, you'll soon have onions "walking" all over the garden.
Walking onions do not make seed like other onions. They only propagate by means of the bulbils, which are about one-fourth to one-half the size of regular onion sets. Very few nurseries carry walking onions in stock; your best bet will be to order bulbils online. (If you know me in real life, you’re welcome to stop by for some bulbils.)
Planting. While the bulbils can be planted year-round, even in winter (assuming the ground is not frozen), fall is the best time for planting. Regardless of when the bulbils are planted, they will probably not make topsets during that first year. Fall planted bulbils may not make topsets the following year, either.
Growing. Like other perennial bulbs, walking onions will grow bigger each year, yielding more and larger topsets above the ground and larger clumps of bulbs beneath the surface. These bulbs are easily divided to be transplanted, shared with friends, or eaten. If you wish to grow bigger onions, plant the bulbils about 4” apart in the soil and remove the topsets before they develop. Naturally, if you harvest the onion at this point, it will not make onions in the future.
Harvesting. The topsets are best harvested late summer to early fall. The topsets can be used like garlic. The greens may be harvested at any time and used like green onions. Take only 1-2 shoots from each plant so that the onion may continue to grow. The onions in the ground are about the size and shape of shallots.
Eating. In spring, the fresh greens can be used as scallions or green onions. The bulbs can be harvested at any time of the year. Walking onions are a bit more intense in flavor, so I use
less when I’m cooking. They’re a great
addition to soups and casseroles and work well sautéed or raw in salads. The topsets can be used as a spicy garlic. Just be sure to save some for planting.
Best of all, they keep coming back with little effort on your part.
For further information:
https://egyptianwalkingonion.com/
09.18.23
