"TammyM" > wrote in message
...
> On Sun, 18 Feb 2007 07:57:26 -0700, "Janet B." >
> wrote:
>
>>
>>"TammyM" > wrote in message
...
>>> It's so spring-like today, I'm motivated to start thinking about my
>>> herb garden. My sage, oregano, rosemary and lavendar grow year-round.
>>> The thyme bit the dust last year. I'm curious what other folks
>>> usually grow, herb-wise? My list, including the above is:
>>snip
>>> TammyM
>>>
>>I grow the herbs you've mentioned. But there is something I would like to
>>recommend . . . it's not an herb but lovely to have. Walking Onions are a
>>perennial. The main bulb stays in the ground from year to year and will
>>get
>>bigger and develop off-shoots. The top comes up green and is the first
>>thing up in the spring. I use these as substitutes for scallions or green
>>onions. As the temperatures get warmer, the tops "go to seed." That is,
>>little onion bulbs develop on the tops. You may use these as little
>>onions
>>or allow them to develop. The stalks will fall over and the tiny bulbs
>>become self planting. I am able to contain the plants within a 3-foot
>>square area. You will get another crop of green tops again in the Fall.
>
> Sounds intriguing. I realize you said you contain them in a
> particular area -- I'm wondering how aggressive they are if not
> contained?
>
> TammyM

Not very. The bulblets fall near the main plant. And it's not like you get
a green haze of seedlings like you do with oregano. When they come up, the
plants are fairly large and sparse on the ground and easy to pick or kick
out. They are called Walking onions because if you allow them to over time
they will walk to a new spot. Another name they go by is Egyptian onions.
I wouldn't recommend planting them or any self-seeding herb at the top of a
hilly space where you don't have ready access to the bottom. Been there and
done that. You may not be able to get to the bottom but all the seeds fall
down hill and sprout up a storm.
Janet