Walking onion sets, also known as tree onions, Egyptian onions, or topsetting onions, are a unique type of heirloom onion that forms clusters of bulblets on top of their stalks. These bulblets can then be planted to grow new onions, allowing the plants to “walk” across your garden over time. Walking onions are easy to grow, require very little care, and produce both tasty onions for eating and plenty of bulblets for future harvests. If you’re interested in adding these intriguing onions to your garden, you may be wondering where to find walking onion sets available for purchase.
A Bit About Walking Onions
Before diving into where to buy walking onion sets, let’s review some key facts about these multifunctional veggies:
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Walking onions are alliums making them related to common onions garlic, leeks, and other allium family plants. They likely originated in Central Asia and were brought to North America by early settlers.
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The bulblets that form on top of the stalks are one way that walking onions propagate themselves But you can also grow them from seeds or transplant bulblets directly into the ground
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Walking onions are hardy perennials in zones 3-9. The bulbs survive winter dormancy underground while the stalks and foliage die back They regrow each spring.
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The bulblets and bulbs can be eaten just like regular onions. They have a mild, sweet onion flavor. The green onion stalks can also be eaten.
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Walking onions require very little care other than weeding. No fertilizing, pruning, or special treatment needed.
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They’re called “walking” onions because as the bulblets grow heavier, they pull the stalk over to the ground. The bulblets take root, forming new onion plants that seem to walk across the garden.
Where to Purchase Walking Onion Sets
Now that you know the basics about walking onions, where should you look to buy sets or bulblets to start your own patch? Here are some recommended sources:
Online Seed Companies
Many online companies specializing in heirloom and open-pollinated seeds also sell walking onion sets. Reputable sources include:
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Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds – Offers 1 lb bags of small to medium-sized bulbs for around $16. One of the most popular sources for walking onions.
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Burpee – Sells bundles of 10-20 walking onion topsets for around $13. Burpee is one of the largest online seed sellers.
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Seed Savers Exchange – A nonprofit dedicated to heirloom seeds. walking onion topsets sold in bundles of 20 bulblets for around $9.
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Territorial Seed Company – Sells Egyptian walking onion bulblets in 1/4 lb bags for around $8. Territorial is employee-owned.
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Johnny’s Selected Seeds – A well-known supplier for farmers and gardeners. walking onion topsets sold in bags of 25 bulblets.
When ordering from online companies, keep in mind that walking onion bulblets are live plants. Make sure to select expedited shipping, especially during hot summer months.
Local Garden Stores or Farmers Markets
Check with local nurseries, garden stores, or farmers markets to see if they carry walking onion sets seasonally. Availability will depend on your location, but some specialty stores do sell them. You may also be able to find them through local seed swap groups.
Fellow Gardeners
If you know other gardening enthusiasts in your area, ask around to see if anyone has walking onions they’d be willing to share. Gardeners often divide perennial bulbs and are usually happy to pass along extras to help others get started.
Purchasing Sets on eBay or Etsy
There are often walking onion sets, bulbs, or bulblets listed for sale on eBay and Etsy. This allows you to purchase from individual sellers. Just be sure to check seller reviews before purchasing.
What to Look for When Buying
When purchasing walking onion sets, look for plump, firm bulblets without any mushiness, mold, or damage:
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Size of sets may vary, but bigger is not necessarily better. Small-medium sets will establish well.
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Ensure sets have not sprouted yet – you want dormant bulblets that will keep until planting.
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Sets should not be dried out or show any mold, which could indicate rotting.
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Damage like nicks, cuts, or bruises can provide entry points for diseases. Avoid damaged sets.
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Bulblets naturally form in clusters at the top of stalks. You can purchase them separated or in intact clusters.
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10-20 bulblets can plant a 5-10 foot row. Purchase the amount you need for your planting space.
How to Plant Walking Onion Sets
Once you’ve obtained your walking onion sets, follow these tips for planting:
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Prepare soil by mixing in compost to optimize drainage and nutrients. Walking onions prefer slightly sandy, loamy soils.
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Plant sets 1-2 inches deep and 6-8 inches apart in rows spaced 1-2 feet apart.
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Ideal planting time is 4-6 weeks before last expected frost. Onions can handle cooler weather.
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Keep soil moist, but not soaked, until bulblets sprout and begin growing.
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Applying mulch around the onions helps maintain soil moisture and reduces weeds.
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Cut back on watering once plants are established. Walking onions are quite drought tolerant.
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Harvest green onion stalks as needed once they reach 6-12 inches tall.
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Bulb onions can be harvested when foliage dies down in late summer. Cure them before storage.
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Let bulblets on stalk tops remain in place. They will drop to the ground and take root, propagating new onion plants.
Enjoy the unique versatility of walking onions – tasty bulbs, fresh green onions, and built-in propagation from the top bulblets. With sets available from various sources, you can easily add these intriguing heirloom onions to your own garden.
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FAQ
When should I plant walking onions?
When should I buy onion sets?
Where is the best place to plant Egyptian walking onions?
What is an Egyptian Walking Onion ‘topset’?
An Egyptian Walking Onion ‘topset’ refers to one of the small bulblets that grows in a cluster at the top of the plant. It is essentially a baby Egyptian Walking Onion plant. Topsets are marble sized.
What color are walking onions?
The topsets are a distinctive red color. A prolific producer of delicious green onions that you can harvest twice a year. Approximately 10–20 bulblets per ounce, but this can vary based on seasonal conditions. Walking onions are shipped only in the fall—September through mid-October, depending on the season. Order early for best availability.
Do walking onions grow back?
Egyptain Walking Onions on the march! In the ground, the Egyptian Walking Onion plant produces a small shallot-like onion which can be harvested. Once harvested, however, the plant will obviously not grow back. If left in the ground, the onion will divide and form a cluster or clump of onion bulbs.
When do walking onions come out?
Walking onions are shipped only in the fall—September through mid-October, depending on the season. Order early for best availability. Sorry, not available to Idaho, US Territories, or Canada.
Why is it called Walking onion?
The name “Walking Onion” was given to this plant because it literally walks to new locations. When the cluster of topsets becomes heavy enough, it will pull the plant over to the ground. Depending on how tall the plant is and where the bend occurs, the topsets may fall up to 3 feet away from the base of the plant.
What is a red walking onion?
The red variety of the Egyptian Walking Onion, commonly referred to as the “Catawissa” strain, was believed to have originated near Catawissa, PA and was first described in “The Vegetable Garden” by Vilmorin-Andrieux in 1885. This variety has red topsets and bulbs and is taller and has more banches than the other “white” variety.