Walking Onions, When Do You Plant?

[Hee Haw]

I was wanting to start some walking onions in a bed, and was wondering when you plant them ? Any one raise walking onions ? Thanks.

[redbrick]

Well, I planted mine when my mom's plants started "walking" away from the bed. When the topsets are ready to plant, the stalks will fall over so they can root away from the parent, allowing them to "walk" away, hence the name. If I remember right, I believe that was in July, or maybe August.

To be honest, I haven't found a lot of uses for them, beyond spring onions, although I'm sure there are plenty. I guess I'm just attracted by anything odd or unusual. Just don't tell DW I said that. She'll think I mean her, too!

[Gary]

Egyptian Onions (A. cepa proliferum)
Also known as walking onion, winter onion, tree onion, and top onion, Egyptian onions produce a number of small sets at the end of their flower stalks, usually in early summer of their second year of growth. The taste of the bulb is quite astringent, so these onions are usually pickled. They are often grown for the leaves because the bulbs are so strong. Sets can be planted in late summer or early fall, since the bulbs are winter-hardy.
Egyptian onions are green at first, then mature to a reddish-brown, with each bulblet about as big as a hazelnut. They should be harvested after they turn a coppery color. If not harvested, the cluster of sets eventually will bend to the ground and plant itself. Egyptian onions need to be divided every couple of years because they form very large clumps.
Gary/Louisville