Spring Onions in a Jar: Seriously Easy Greens Right on Your Windowsill
Okay, let’s be honest – who doesn’t love spring onions? That mild, zingy flavor they bring to everything from a simple salad to a sizzling stir-fry is just chef’s kiss. And guess what? You don’t need a sprawling garden to enjoy them fresh. You can grow them right in your kitchen, in a jar! Seriously, it’s easier than making toast.
Why bother growing them in a jar, you ask? Well, for starters, if you’re tight on space (hello, apartment dwellers!), spring onions are your new best friend. They take up practically no room. Plus, you can basically have an endless supply. Instead of tossing those leftover root ends, you can give them a second life, sprouting fresh greens week after week. Talk about reducing waste! And the best part? It’s ridiculously simple and fast. Perfect for those of us who want instant gratification. Trust me, even if you can’t keep a cactus alive, you can do this.
So, how do you actually do it? There are a couple of super-easy ways.
Method 1: The “Scrap Revival” Water Method
This is the one I usually go for because, well, I’m all about easy.
- What you’ll need:
- A bunch of spring onions (the ones you bought at the store are perfect). Make sure they still have their roots!
- A clean jar or glass. An old jam jar works great.
- Water. Tap water is fine.
- Here’s the super-simple rundown:
- Chop chop!: Use the green tops of your spring onions in whatever delicious dish you’re making. Leave about an inch or two of the white part with the roots still attached.
- Jar time: Pop those little white ends, root-side down, into your jar.
- Water works: Add enough water to cover the roots, but don’t drown the whole thing. You want the top edge of the white part to stay dry.
- Sun’s out, sprouts out: Find a sunny spot for your jar. A windowsill is ideal. These guys love sunshine.
- Keep it fresh: Change the water every day or two. Stagnant water is gross, and your onions won’t like it.
- Harvest time!: In just a few days, you’ll see new green shoots popping up. Snip off what you need for cooking, and the base will keep on growing! It’s like magic, but with onions.
Method 2: Getting Down and Dirty (with Soil)
This method is a bit more “traditional” and can give you a little more sustained growth.
- What you’ll need:
- Spring onion bulbs with roots (again, store-bought is fine).
- A clean jar or container. Make sure it’s big enough to hold some soil.
- Potting soil. Nothing fancy needed.
- Water.
- Let’s get planting:
- Soil it!: Fill your jar with potting soil, leaving a little space at the top. If your container has drainage holes, even better! It helps prevent soggy roots.
- Plant ’em: Plant the white bulbs halfway into the soil, spacing them out a bit.
- Watering time: Water regularly, keeping the soil moist but not soaked. Think “damp sponge,” not “swamp.”
- Sunshine calling: Find a sunny spot, just like with the water method.
- Harvest away: Once the green shoots are a few inches tall, start snipping!
A Few Little Pointers for Onion-Growing Success
- Sunshine is key: These guys are sun-worshippers. Aim for at least 6 hours of sunlight a day. If your windowsill is shady, consider a grow light.
- Water matters: Use clean water, and change it often. Nobody likes a murky onion bath.
- Give ’em some love: While they can regrow in water alone, they’ll eventually need some extra oomph. Add a tiny bit of diluted liquid fertilizer to the water every few weeks, or move them to soil for a longer-term setup.
- Keep the party going: Start new jars every few weeks to keep a steady supply coming. It’s called “succession planting,” and it’s the secret to never running out of spring onions.
- Snip, snip!: When you harvest, don’t chop the whole thing off. Leave about an inch of the green part to encourage more growth.
- Pick the right kind: Some varieties are just better suited for containers. “Evergreen Bunching” and “White Lisbon” are good bets.
Uh Oh, Problems? Let’s Fix ‘Em!
- Nothing’s happening! Why aren’t they growing?
- Yucky water: Change the water more often!
- Thirsty roots: Make sure the roots are always covered in water.
- Drowning onions: Only the roots and the very bottom of the white part should be submerged.
- Sunshine blues: Move them to a sunnier spot.
- Yellow leaves? Yikes!
- Hungry onions: They need nutrients! Add fertilizer or move them to soil.
- Too much water: Make sure the soil drains well, and don’t overwater.
The Bottom Line
Growing spring onions in a jar is seriously one of the easiest and most satisfying things you can do. It’s a win-win: fresh herbs, less waste, and a little bit of green on your windowsill. So, what are you waiting for? Grab a jar and some onions, and get growing! You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to have fresh spring onions whenever you need them. Happy growing!