Egyptian Walking Onions
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I find these onions are fascinating to grow in the garden. They are one of the first plants to poke through the ground in the spring. At the top of each stem a small bulb starts to grow. From this develops the onion for next year. When the plant gets top heavy the stem bends over and the little onions plant themselves into the ground. After several years if left to do this on their own the onions would "walk" around your garden. I tend to pick off the little onion sets and plant them myself so that I can control the "walking". I also give them away to friends so they can watch the fascinating growth in their own gardens. |
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Egyptian walking onions, also called tree onions or topset onions, belong to the allium genus. Theyare a hardy perennial that will grow in full sun and just about any soil. They are the first plants to poke through the ground after a long winter. Here is a clump at the end of April.
The bulbs can be used fresh or stored like garlic for use later on. They have a strong taste. Either end of the plant can be eaten. Below is a photo of one shoot that was dug. The stalks, which are hollow, are edible also and used like green onions or chives.
The bulbs measure only 1/2 to 1 inch in length and look like small purple/red onions. They can be used for pickling and in vinaigrettes or soups. Plant these little bulbs just below the surface of the ground with the green shoot (if there is one) poking out. The image below is a close up of the bulbs.
They can be planted in the Fall or in the spring. Fall is best as they will start growing and give you new plants in the spring. In fact in the Fall they will plant themselves.
Above is a photo of the plant in August with the bulb sets formed at the top of the stems.
In this photo you can see the plant beginning to 'walk' as it becomes top heavy and bends over. Where the little bulbs touch the ground they will grow. most of the time I snip off the bulb sets, let them dry before separating, and then replant there where I want them.
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