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Root vegetables · Allium fistulosum

White Spear

White Spear: 65 days to harvest, 7-14 days to germinate, 6 inches between plants, hardy in zones 4-9. Give it full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours) and regular water.

Root vegetables
65days to harvest
7-14 daysdays to germinate
Z4–9USDA zones
Easydifficulty
Heirloom

Sowing

Start indoors 10-12 weeks before last frost, or direct sow after last frost

Cultivation

Sun
Full sun to partial shade (4-6+ hours)
Water
Regular
Soil
Well-drained, fertile loam
Spacing
6 inches
Height
1-3 feet
Season
Warm season annual

Appearance & flavour

Colour
White
Shape
Long, straight shanks
Flavour
Mild, slightly sweet leek flavor with tender white shanks.

In the kitchen

Soups, stews, gratins, roasting, braising, sautéing

Pests, disease & resistance

Pests
Allium leafminers, thrips, onion maggots
Diseases
Pink root, white rot, rust

Planting calendar by USDA zone

ZoneStart indoorsTransplantDirect sowHarvest
1——June – JulyAugust – September
2——May – JulyJuly – September
3——May – JuneSeptember – October
4——April – JuneAugust – October
5——April – MayAugust – November
6——April – MayAugust – November
7——March – MayJuly – November
8——March – AprilJuly – December
9——February – MarchJune – December
10——January – MarchMay – December
11——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
12——January – FebruaryFebruary – December
13——January – FebruaryFebruary – December

Companion planting

8 beneficial pairings indexed for this variety, 3 to avoid.

CarrotsSimilar growing requirements and root depths complement each other without competition
LettuceShallow roots don't compete, provides ground cover and helps retain soil moisture
RadishesBreak up compacted soil for easier root penetration and mature quickly
ChivesRepel aphids and root maggots while improving soil with sulfur compounds
MarigoldsDeter nematodes and other soil pests that damage root vegetables
SpinachCool-season crop with shallow roots that doesn't compete for space
PeasFix nitrogen in soil and have different root zones, benefiting overall soil health
NasturtiumsAct as trap crops for aphids and flea beetles, protecting root crops

Avoid

DillCan stunt growth of root vegetables and attract carrot rust flies
Black WalnutReleases juglone toxin that inhibits growth of most root vegetables
SunflowersHeavy feeders that compete for nutrients and their roots release allelopathic compounds

Nutrition (per 100 g)

Calories (per 100 g)
57
Protein (g)
0.36
Fat (g)
0.14
Carbohydrate (g)
15.2
Fibre (g)
3.1
Sugars (g)
9.75
Vitamin A (µg)
1
Vitamin C (mg)
4.3
Vitamin E (mg)
0.12
Vitamin K (µg)
4.4
Vitamin B6 (mg)
0.029
Folate (µg)
7
Calcium (mg)
9
Iron (mg)
0.18
Magnesium (mg)
7
Phosphorus (mg)
12
Potassium (mg)
116
Zinc (mg)
0.1
Selenium (µg)
0.1
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Where to buy seed and equipment

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Growing it? There is a full cultivation guide at the root vegetables growing guide.

Cultivar facts compiled from public horticultural references including USDA GRIN and NC State Extension. Descriptions are original to this catalogue.

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Grown White Spear?

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Similar varieties

Other root vegetables with a comparable time to harvest, so a season that suits White Spear suits these too.

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