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So it’s come to my attention that a lot of people didn’t know anything about green onions. When you buy them in the store they have their bulbs and roots attached. Most just snip them down to the roots and toss the root and bulb in the trash. When they need more they just buy another bunch at the market.
Um, why? Seriously why do this? I mean you are given the bulb and roots intact. Why not just grow your own?
I’ve been doing this for years and have done it both indoors (in just a jar of water that I change regularly) and then when the weather breaks, in a pot outside.
Cutting The Green Onion for Water Growth
- Cut the onion back to where the roots, bulb, and 1″ of the white part is preserved.
- Going all the way to the bulb may cause the onion to not regrow
What prompted this is a TKW Family member asked how they can preserve green onions as she got a boatload of ’em and didn’t want them to go bad before she could use them all. I gave her the instructions on how to flash freeze the snipped onions and then that all she needs to do to keep getting more is just stick the roots and remaining bulbs in freshwater. These grow pretty fast too. Just change the water every few days, snip off what you need, and watch them regrow!
Green Onion Growing Tips
- Change the water every 2-3 days.
- If the outer sheath becomes slimy (this will happen), gently peel it off.
- If the roots get too long and start to ball up snip them back to about 1″ long
Planting Green Onions
- I tend to regrow mine for 3 full growths in water and plant them in soil.
- I found that by the 5th regrow the bulbs and roots can get slimy to the point it’s too hard to clean them.
Growing Green Onions in Water
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Ingredients
- Green Onions with roots and bulbs in tact
- Glass Jar
- Water
Instructions
To Preserve Your Onions:
- Line a tray with parchment paper.
- Cut your onions down to 1″ above the bulb into pieces and place the cuttings on the parchment paper trying not to overlap.
- Stick the tray in the freezer for an hour or so, or until the onions are frozen.
- Place the cuttings in a freezer safe bag and place back in the freezer.
- Use when needed.
To Grow Your Onions in Water:
- Place the remaining stalk with the bulb and roots intact in a glass jar.
- Fill with water so that the roots and bulbs are covered. Do not submerge though. You want at least 1/2″ sticking out of the water.
- Change the water every few days.
- Watch them grow in no time.
- Snip off what you need and if they grow faster than you can use them just cut them back and preserve the cuttings!
Nayda says
Thank you Lori. You have answered all my questions about growing my green onions. Looking forward to panting them after the fourth or fifth cutting. Right now a bunch of onions here cost $1.00 a bunch. So worth growing them. 🙂
Nayda says
Thank you Lori. You have answered all my questions about growing my green onions. Looking forward to panting them after the fourth or fifth cutting. Right now a bunch of onions here cost $1.00 a bunch. So worth growing them. 🙂
Lori says
Anytime 🙂
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Gabby says
Question, I have noticed that the tops of my onions where I cut them have sort of like this film in the top. I’m not sure if this is mold? Or if it’s OK. Furthermore, when I have been using my fresh ones that are big, they start to get a little slimy on the inside and secrete something that looks like a clear gel, is that OK? Or is that mold? I have them all in water if that makes a difference. And I do change the water quite frequently and try to wash the stalks. Thanks!
Lori says
So onions are a member of the aloe family. That green slime is normal. Some varities of green onions will have more, some less. It’s perfectly fine to use or simply squeeze out, wash and enjoy.
The film on top sounds like the membrane; that can just be chopped off.
Eventually the onions may need planted in a pot if this is happening more often. I tend to plant mine after the 4th/5th huge trim.
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Dedo says
My friend Mark gave me some gorgeous green onions, and I’m happy I can continue to take small pieces off of them and eat whenever I need them!
TKWAdmin says
Yeah!
Best Kitchen Wishes!
Marj says
Wow nice to know!!!!