1. Planting Seeds:
Sow seeds directly into the garden bed or container. Plant them about 0.5 cm deep in well-draining soil.
2. Location:
Choose a sunny location for optimum growth. Jap Negi can tolerate both heat and cold temperatures and also partial shade.
3. Watering:
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during germination. Once established, water when the top inch (about 2.5 cm) of soil feels dry.
4. Thin Seedlings:
Thin the seedlings once they are a few centimetres tall to provide adequate spacing. Aim for a final spacing of around 2-4 cm between plants.
5. Fertilization:
Apply a balanced fertilizer or compost when the seedlings are a few weeks old. Bunching onions generally don't require heavy fertilization.
6. Hilling (for a longer white stem): As the bunching onions grow, periodically add soil around the base of the stems to "hill" them. This process is typically done to prevent green parts of the stem from becoming exposed to sunlight, which can turn them green instead of white. You can use your hands or a small shovel to gently mound soil around the base of the stems. Be careful not to cover the entire plant, just enough to blanch the lower portion of the stems.
7. Mulching:
Mulch around the plants to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and maintain even soil temperature.
8. Harvesting:
You can start harvesting bunching onions when they reach a desirable size, typically about 60-90 days after planting.
9. Pest Control:
Keep an eye out for pests, especially onion thrips. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if necessary.
Keep an eye out for pests, especially onion thrips. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil if necessary.