Winter Hedge Onion [Allium fistulosum]

The perennial winter hedge onion is a robust, hardy and fast-growing bulbous plant. Distinctive and pleasantly mild taste. Harvest all year round, ideal for self-sufficiency. Ideal for direct sowing and pre-cultivation, pot cultivation possible, sowing spring-summer-autumn, good for mixed culture, harvest the leaves.

 Description 
The winter hedge onion is a very old, perennial vegetable and medicinal plant that has been cultivated in Europe since the Middle Ages and was already grown in China 2,000 years ago. It has many strong, broad leaf tubes and fresh green leaves that can be harvested well into winter and sprout again in spring. This robust and fast-growing plant species can thrive in the same location for many years. The taste is unmistakably pleasantly mild and the white flowers are a special edible decoration. The vigorous, hardy plant is easy to propagate by division and attracts many insects. The strong stalks can be cut all year round.

 General information 
Plant family: Alliaceae
Life cycle: Perennial
Days to harvest: 90 days
Plant height approx.: 70 cm
Root type: Deep rooter
Nutrient requirements: Medium
Water requirements: Medium
Winter hardiness: Up to -20°C
Location: Sunny
Soil: Permeable, loamy, humus

pH value: 5.5 to 7

 Sowing and planting information 
Germination type: Dark germinator
Sowing depth: 1-2 cm
Optimal germination temperature: 13-18 °C
Germination time: 14-21 days
Plant and row spacing: 20x20 cm

Germination ability of seeds: 2-3 years

 Mixed culture 
Optimal mixed culture: Endive, Strawberry, Camomile, Carrot, Parsley, Lettuce, Celery, Salsify, Tomato
Unfavorable mixed culture: Bean, Pea, Kale, Beetroot, Chives, Onion, Garlic

 Sowing by climate zone 
Subtropic climate (Mediterranean) (e. g. B. Portugal, Spain, Italy)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation in small bowls or directly in seed trays from January to April or in autumn from September to November. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.
Moderate climate (e. g. B. Germany, Switzerland, Poland)
We recommend direct sowing or pre-cultivation in small bowls or directly in seed trays from March to July. The plants should ideally be placed in a sunny location.

 General recommendations 
We recommend direct sowing in rows or pre-cultivation in small bowls or directly in growing trays. For pre-cultivation, sow the seeds in a small bowl and let the seedlings grow to a height of around 20 cm and stable stems. To stimulate growth, then place the plants with the bulb at the same height and shorten them by 1/3 at the roots and leaf tips shortly before planting. Then plant directly at the specified planting distance. Or sow around 5 seeds together directly in small pots or growing trays and plant them directly in the prepared bed once the root ball has sufficiently developed.
Winter hedge onions ideally prefer soil that is moist, permeable, nutrient-rich and contains plenty of humus and loam. They do not tolerate waterlogging.

 Additional tips 
For a longer harvest time, care should be taken not to damage the heart during harvesting. This variety thrives reliably in almost any climate. In order to quickly obtain a fine, crumbly and permeable soil with good nutrient and water storage capacity, additional incorporation of biochar and primary rock flour is recommended.

 Type of propagation 
Propagation occurs via seeds or root division.

 Plant care 
It is recommended to divide the clumps every two years to give the plants new growth. Because the plants initially grow slowly, weeding the surrounding herbs is recommended. Loosened, nutrient-rich and moist soil is basically sufficient. Fertilizing is recommended twice a year at intervals of six months.

 Other names 
Botanical names: Allium fistulosum
English names: Winter hedge onion
German names: Winterheckenzwiebel
Portuguese names: Cebolinha
Spanish names: Cebolla de invierno, Cebolla de cobertura de invierno
French names: Oignon de haie d'hiver

 Origin 
Country: Portugal