Here’s a close up of the Egyptian walking onion baby bulbs that Benji’s science teacher gave us. They come from her sister’s garden upstate. Also known as tree onions, these perennials are described as “walking” because of the unique way they self-propagate. Instead of flowers, they produce onion seeds or “top sets” at the top of the plant. When the plants mature the heavy seeds cause the plant to fall over and re-root itself; the seeds seem to “walk” over to other parts of the plot. Of course I didn’t read any of this before I transplanted several bulbs into a large pot (former home to an unsuccessful small tomato seedling).
About 10 bulbs are sitting in a cup next to the garlic planter. Let’s figure out what to do with them! According to EgyptionaWalkingOnion.com, when new top sets are planted they will grow throughout the spring and summer and develop tall green leaves and bulb/root growth in the ground, but they will not develop top sets in their first year–just roots and leafstalks. This makes me think we might plant some onions in a place they can linger for a while. If we don’t pull out the bulb, they should regrow, develop top sets next year and then replant themselves. Maybe the garlic planter would make a good home? Only half of it seems to be producing anything; we can plant garlic somewhere else in the fall and perhaps use the planter for the onions? I’m open to ideas. -Denise
Concord Village EarthLab 