Growing green onions at home during the winter is a straightforward and effective way to have fresh, aromatic greens available year-round. Here’s a simple guide to growing green onions using plastic egg containers:

Materials Needed

  • Small green onion bulbs (also known as scallions or spring onions)
  • Empty plastic egg containers
  • Water
  • Scissors (for cutting the egg container)

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Egg Containers:
  • Cut the Cells: Take the plastic egg container and cut off the bottoms of the cells. You should remove about 1 cm from the bottom of each cell. This creates a small well where water can sit.
  1. Pre-soak the Bulbs:
  • Soak for Fast Growth: Place the small green onion bulbs in a bowl of warm water and let them soak for a day. This helps to jumpstart the rooting process.
  1. Set Up the Growing Container:
  • Add Water: Fill the recesses of the plastic egg container with water. You only need enough water to just touch the roots of the bulbs, not to submerge them completely.
  1. Plant the Bulbs:
  • Place the Bulbs: Insert one soaked green onion bulb into each cell of the egg container, making sure the roots are in contact with the water. The bulb should be positioned with the root end down and the shoot end up.
  1. Positioning:
  • Find a Sunny Spot: Place the egg container in a sunny location, such as a windowsill that receives plenty of light. Green onions need light to grow, so choose a spot that gets at least a few hours of sunlight each day.
  1. Maintain Water Levels:
  • Check Water Regularly: Ensure that the water level remains sufficient to keep the roots of the bulbs submerged. Add more water as needed to maintain this level.
  1. Harvesting:
  • Watch for Growth: In about 3 weeks, you should see the green onions growing and becoming ready for harvest. You can cut the green tops as needed, allowing the bulbs to continue growing and producing more greens.

Additional Tips

  • Keep It Clean: Ensure that the water is changed regularly to prevent stagnation and algae growth.
  • Temperature: Green onions prefer cooler temperatures, so keep them in a room that isn’t too warm.
  • Fertilization: If you want to boost growth, you can occasionally add a diluted liquid fertilizer to the water.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy fresh green onions all winter long with minimal effort.

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