Italian Scallion

EASIEST TO START OUTDOORS

Plant seeds throughout cool spring weather and again in mid to late summer for fall harvests. Sow seeds in well-worked, fertile soil in full sun, spacing 1 inch apart in rows 8-10 inches apart, or broadcast thinly for bed planting. Plant 1/4 inch deep and firm soil well over seeds. Keep soil evenly moist while awaiting germination. Thin young seedlings to 2 inches apart, and enjoy the tender thinnings in spring salads.

GROWING NOTES

These baby salad onions take up little garden space, so tuck a row around beds of lettuce, spinach or radishes. Make several plantings a month apart to have a constant supply for spring and summer meals. Prepare soil well with lots of aged manure or compost before planting. Keep evenly moist and weed carefully when plants are young. Mulch well to conserve soil moisture and suppress weed growth.

HARVEST AND USE

To get the most out of your crop, use tender, mild-flavored early thinnings in salads. Continue thinning out seedlings gradually so plants stand an inch or two apart. Harvest as needed when the stems are ¼ to ½ inch in diameter and the tiny immature bulbs reach just 1/2 to 1 inch in diameter. Crunchy, full-flavored Italian baby salad onions are especially delicious in any green or potato salad, or in any recipe that calls for scallions or mild tasting onions.