Onion Seeds - Bunching - Shimonita Negi
120-140 Days to maturity. Allium fistulosum. Variety name Onion Seeds. Non-GMO, perennial, open-pollinated, heirloom, bunching onion. Suitable for growing in greenhouses, garden plots, raised beds, and containers. Shimonita Town is where these famous Japanese bunching onions originate. It is considered the 'King of the Negi' for its fat white root ends and delectable sweet flavor when cooked. Utilize any part of this plant for its oniony flavor. A single stalk variety, the bulb begins to flatten at a 13-hour day length. Bunching onions are technically perennial but are typically grown as annuals or biennials.~ 13,000 seeds / oz.
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Other Common Names: Japanese bunching onion, Welsh onion, cong, qing cong, green onion, da cong, feng cong, xiao cong, tsung, negi, nebuka, bunching onion, me-negi, ko-negi, na-negi, leafy scallions, naga-negi, shiro-negi, or white blanched stem.
How to Grow Shimonita Negi Bunching Onion
Sow seeds in the spring after the danger of all frost. Transplant seedlings in early summer. Optionally, sow seeds in the fall and transplant seedlings in the spring in a sunny location. Keep the soil moist before germination and regularly water going forward. Do not plant in freshly manured ground as the free nitrogen can be harmful. When seedlings are 12-14 inches tall, dig an 8-inch deep trough in an east/west direction and transplant, mounding the soil around the seedlings.
Mulch around the base of green stems (every 40-50 days) to increase the white area. Irrigate weekly or more often if the soil dries. Young bunching onions are prone to crowding out; pull any weeds promptly. Fertilize if needed. As harvest time nears, the foliage will turn yellow or brown and fall over. At the first sign of yellowing, reduce the quantity of water.
Harvesting Shimonita Negi Bunching Onion
Harvest Bunching Onions at any stage before full maturity; these can be harvested after 6 months but need 12 months to develop the thicker stems. Each developmental stage is good for a different culinary purpose.
Culinary Tips
Shimonita Negi has Increased sweetness when cooked. Cut them in half and grill; use in yosenabe, sukiyaki, ohitashi, kushiyaki, and tempura. This variety may be used as an alternative to leeks because of their thicker leaves.
Tips From Our Gardeners
“I recommend intercropping bunching onions with pak choi, mustard, or radishes. The upright growing habit and unique harvesting pattern make them perfect for companion planting.”
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Seeds Per Package
- 3 g packet - Approximately 1,400 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 13,000 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 52,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 208,000 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Allium fistulosum |
| Shimonita Negi Onion Color: | Green |
| Shimonita Negi Onion Flavor: | Sweet with a mild kick. |
Growing Info
| Hardiness Zone: | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Tender perennial in zones 10 and 11. Grown as an annual everywhere else. In Zones 10 and 11, start in the fall and overwinter. |
| Days to Maturity: | 120-140 day after transplanting or 365 days. |
| Days to Germination: | 7-10 |
| Seeding Depth: | 0.25 inch |
| Plant Spacing: | 2-4 inches |
| Row Spacing: | 12-15 inches |
| Plant Height: | 24-30 inches |
| Growth Habit: | Bunching - Bunching Onions are tender perennials that do not form a bulb and are commonly grown for the green stems used in a variety of culinary applications. |
| Soil Preference: | A rich sandy or peaty soil. Avoid clay-heavy soils. |
| Temperature Preference: | Cooler |
| Light Preference: | Full Sun |
Other
| Direct Sow: | Yes |
| Start Indoors: | Yes Start Indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost date. |
| Onion Day Length: | Not Applicable |
| Plant Width: | |
| Growth Speed: | Late - Ready for harvest around 101 days or more from direct sowing to harvesting. |
| Germination Temperature: | 66-70 F |
| Pests and Diseases: | Bunching onions tend to be more pest and disease resistant than other alliums. Monitor foliage frequently; thrips and other common garden pests can be troublesome. |
| Garden Size: | Greenhouse, Garden Plot, Raised Bed, Container Growing |
| Onion Use: | Fresh, Cooked |