When to Plant Walking Onions for a Bountiful Harvest: Your Complete Guide - Best Garden Seed

No home veggie patch feels quite complete without a few types of onions. While brown and bunching onions have their rightful place, there’s one quirky, flavorful variety that deserves a spotlight—walking onions.

Have you ever stood in your garden wondering, “When exactly should I plant walking onions to get the best harvest?” If you’re like me, timing your planting perfectly can feel like a secret weapon to a thriving garden. Walking onions—those fascinating Allium cepa var. proliferum—are not your ordinary onions. They’re a resilient, self-propagating perennial that can keep your kitchen stocked year after year. But here’s the catch: plant them at the wrong time, and you might miss out on a bumper crop. So, let’s chat about the best time to plant walking onions for maximum yield, plus tips on planting and caring for them so your garden flourishes.

What Are Walking Onions?

Early-stage bulbils forming on a walking onion plant—these tiny top-set bulbs will eventually grow into new plants.

Botanically known as Allium x proliferum, walking onions are a natural cross between common onions (Allium cepa) and Welsh onions (Allium fistulosum). They inherit the hardiness and flavor of both parents, making them a fantastic and fuss-free addition to any edible garden.

Also called Egyptian onions, tree onions, or topsetting onions, walking onions get their name from the way they “move” across the garden. As they mature, small bulbs—called bulbils—form at the top of the stalks. These eventually bend down to the ground, take root, and grow into new plants. Over time, this habit makes it seem like the onions are strolling across your garden bed.

Although technically a biennial, walking onions are best treated as a perennial. With just one planting, you can enjoy a nearly endless supply for years to come. Thanks to their self-sufficiency and spreading nature, they’re a favorite among permaculture gardeners.

Why Are They Unique Compared to Regular Onions?

Unlike your typical onions that you plant every year, walking onions are perennial. This means they come back year after year without needing to be replanted. Plus, they’re incredibly hardy and can grow in a range of USDA planting zones across the U.S. Whether you’re in a colder northern state or a warmer southern region, walking onions adapt well and make a great addition to any organic garden.

When to Plant Walking Onions?

Ideal Planting Seasons by USDA Zones

Knowing your USDA planting zone is super important when deciding the best time to plant walking onions. For example:

In colder zones (like USDA zones 3-6), early spring is your best bet. Plant after the last frost to give your onions plenty of growing time during the warmer months.
In milder zones (USDA zones 7-10), fall planting works well because the onions can root through the winter and start growing early in spring.

If you’re unsure about your zone, the USDA website can help you figure it out quickly.

Spring vs. Fall Planting: Pros and Cons

Spring Planting:

Pros: Full growing season for your onions, less risk of bulbils freezing in winter.
Cons: Sometimes slower initial growth if the spring is cool or wet.

Fall Planting:

Pros: Onions develop roots before winter, often leading to an earlier harvest next year.
Cons: Risk of bulbs freezing in harsh winters if not mulched well.

How Climate Affects Planting Time

If you live somewhere with long, harsh winters, stick to spring planting. But if you’re in a place where winters are mild, like parts of California or the southern U.S., fall planting can give your walking onions a jump start.

Choosing the Right Location and Soil

Walking onions thrive in full sun and well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Choose a sunny spot in your garden that gets at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight each day. Avoid areas where water tends to pool after rain—these onions do not enjoy soggy feet.

If your soil is heavy clay or too compacted, lighten it up by mixing in generous amounts of compost, aged manure, or even some sand to improve drainage. Not only will this help water flow better, but it’ll also give your onions the nutrient boost they need to grow strong and flavorful.

Preparing Onion Sets or Bulbils for Planting

Walking onions can be started from either bulbils—the small clusters that form at the top of mature stalks—or from small sets taken from the base of the plant. Both options are easy to handle, especially for beginner gardeners.

For a jumpstart, soak your bulbils or sets in water overnight before planting. This simple step rehydrates them, wakes them up from dormancy, and encourages quicker root development once they hit the soil.

Want extra early growth? Some gardeners even sprout their bulbils indoors in trays before transplanting. Totally optional, but fun if you’re impatient to see green shoots!

Step-by-Step Guide to Planting Walking Onions

Planting Depth and Spacing

Plant each bulbil about 1 inch deep—just enough to cover them with soil.
Space them about 6-8 inches apart so they have room to grow and spread out.

Watering and Mulching Tips

After planting, water deeply to help bulbils settle in the soil. Mulching with straw or shredded leaves keeps the soil moist, suppresses weeds, and protects roots during temperature swings.

Caring for Walking Onions After Planting

Fertilizing and Soil Care

Walking onions are tough but appreciate a little TLC. Early in the growing season, feed them with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea. Avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen, which can make the leaves lush but stunt bulb development.

Managing Pests and Diseases

One of the great things about walking onions is that they’re pretty resistant to pests and diseases. However, watch out for common onion pests like onion maggots and fungal issues. To keep problems away, rotate where you plant onions each year and keep the garden clean by removing dead plant matter.

Harvesting Walking Onions

The clearest signal that your walking onions are ready is when the tops begin to yellow and naturally flop over. This means the plant is entering dormancy and focusing its energy into the bulbs. At this stage, the underground bulbs are mature, and the top-set bulbils should be firm and fully formed, perfect for harvesting or replanting.

You can gently pull up the whole plant or snip off the bulbils if you’re not ready to dig up the base bulbs just yet. Either way, this is your moment to gather the goods!

Once harvested, allow the bulbs and bulbils to cure in a warm, dry, and well-ventilated space for a week or two. After curing, store them in a cool, dry spot with good air circulation—think mesh bags or shallow trays.

Walking onions pack more punch than your average onion, offering a spicy, garlicky flavor that really shines in salads, stir-fries, soups, and sautés. You can use the greens like scallions, the bulbils like pearl onions, and the underground bulbs like traditional onions.

Best of all? Every bulbil is a future onion. Replant them in fall or early spring, and you’ll keep the walking onion parade marching through your garden year after year.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

What to Do If Your Walking Onions Don’t Grow Well

Make sure the soil drains well; soggy soil can rot bulbs.
Check that your onions are getting at least 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Thin overcrowded plants to give each enough space.

Tips for Encouraging Better Growth

Rotate your onions yearly to avoid soil-borne diseases.
Remove any bulbils that drop too close together to prevent overcrowding.
Water consistently, especially during dry spells, but don’t overwater.

Conclusion

Getting the timing right when planting walking onions is crucial to enjoying a healthy, bountiful harvest. Whether you choose to plant in early spring or fall depends on your USDA zone and local climate. With a little prep, care, and patience, walking onions can become a staple perennial vegetable in your garden, offering fresh onions year after year without the hassle of replanting every season. Ready to start? Grab some bulbils, pick the right planting time for your area, and watch your garden thrive!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can walking onions be planted any time of the year?
Not really. The best time is usually early spring or fall depending on your climate. This ensures strong growth and healthy bulbs.

2. How long does it take for walking onions to mature?
Typically, walking onions mature in about 4-6 months, depending on weather and growing conditions.

3. Are walking onions perennial or annual plants?
They’re perennial, so they come back year after year without needing replanting.

4. Can I grow walking onions indoors or only outdoors?
You can grow them indoors if you provide enough sunlight, but they generally do better outside where they have room to spread.

If you want to learn more about growing other perennial vegetables or how to make your garden more sustainable, be sure to check out our other articles on seasonal planting and organic gardening tips. Happy gardening!