Green Onions in Zone 9A — Florida

Green onions are a must-grow in Florida. Their mild, fresh flavor adds a zing to everything from tacos to salads, and they're incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Plus, you can harvest them continuously, providing a steady supply of fresh greens throughout much of the year.

Our Florida gardening calendar is different, and while we face challenges like summer heat and humidity, green onions thrive during our cooler months. With a 327-day growing season, you'll find that with a little planning, you can enjoy fresh green onions almost year-round.

You can transplant green onion seedlings outdoors in early January through early February. This gives them a head start before the weather warms up too much. Before planting, be sure to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week.

Space the seedlings 2-3 inches apart in well-draining soil. Keep an eye on the weather during this time; although green onions are frost-hardy, a sudden cold snap can still stress young transplants. Cover them if a freeze is predicted.

Direct sowing is the easiest way to grow green onions here in Florida. You can sow seeds directly into the garden from early January through mid October. Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and prepare the soil by loosening it and adding compost.

Sow seeds about ¼ inch deep, spacing them 2-3 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Another easy method is to plant the root ends of store-bought green onions; just stick the white ends in the soil, and they'll regrow.

Green onions need consistent moisture to produce those tender, mild stalks we love. In Florida, with our sandy soil and intense summer heat, this can be a challenge. During the drier months, you'll likely need to water them more frequently.

A good rule of thumb is to water when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch – use the finger test. Aim for about 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or irrigation. Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases in our humid climate.

During our wet summer, you might not need to water at all, but keep an eye on them. Yellowing leaves can indicate overwatering, while drooping or wilting suggests they're not getting enough. A layer of mulch, like pine straw or wood chips, can help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

In Florida, you can expect your first harvest of green onions around early March through early January, about 60 days after planting. Look for stalks that are at least pencil-thick. Don't wait too long, or they can become tough.

You can either pull up the entire plant or cut the stalks off about an inch above the soil. If you cut them, they'll usually regrow, giving you multiple harvests from a single planting. As our first frost approaches in late December, harvest any remaining green onions to use fresh or freeze for later.

Here are some common problems you might encounter growing green onions in Florida:

• Onion Maggots
• What it looks like: Wilting or yellowing plants, stunted growth, and small white maggots feeding on the roots and bulb.
• What causes it: These pests thrive in moist soil conditions and can be a problem during our rainy season.
• How to fix/prevent it: Use row covers to prevent adult flies from laying eggs near your plants. Encourage beneficial nematodes in the soil.
• Thrips
• What it looks like: Silver streaks or speckling on the leaves, distorted growth, and tiny, slender insects visible on the plant.
• What causes it: Thrips are attracted to stressed plants, and populations can explode during hot, dry weather.
• How to fix/prevent it: Keep plants well-watered and healthy. Introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings. Insecticidal soap can also be effective.
• Downy Mildew
• What it looks like: Yellow patches on leaf tops with fuzzy gray-purple growth on undersides. Leaves brown and die from the bottom up.
• What causes it: Oomycete pathogen that spreads in cool, humid conditions via wind-carried spores. Different species affect different plants.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove affected leaves immediately. Improve air circulation. Water at the base, never overhead. Copper-based fungicides for prevention. Plant resistant varieties where available.
• Pink Root
• What it looks like: Roots turn pink or reddish, plants are stunted, and leaves may yellow and wilt.
• What causes it: A soilborne fungus that thrives in warm, moist conditions and is more prevalent in sandy soils.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve soil drainage. Rotate crops to avoid buildup of the fungus in the soil. Choose nematode-resistant varieties, as nematode damage can make plants more susceptible.

Florida Specific Challenges: The combination of high heat, very-high humidity, and our wet-summer rainfall creates an ideal environment for fungal diseases and pests to flourish. Regular monitoring and preventative measures are essential for success.

Green onions make great companions for many plants in your Florida garden. Carrots benefit from green onions because the onion's scent deters carrot root flies. Lettuce thrives when planted near green onions, as the onions help repel aphids.

Tomatoes and peppers also benefit from the pest-repelling properties of green onions. Beets appreciate the shade provided by green onions, especially during the hottest part of the day. Avoid planting green onions near beans or peas, as they can inhibit their growth.