Guardsman

Family: Amaryllidaceae Vegetable

Sweet, crisp green stalks rise in tight bunches, offering a clean onion fragrance with a gentle, fresh bite.

Guardsman bunching onions form slender, tender stems with crisp texture and a mild, appealing flavor that shines when gathered young. Ideal for fresh use in salads and garnishes, and especially beloved for quick skillet-style flavoring and vibrant sauces where their delicate character stays bright.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 45 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 21st
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 2nd
Harvest Begins	Jun 16th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	45
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	55
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	28
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Guardsman bunching onions are at their best when treated like a delicate herb: slice young, bloom briefly, then stop cooking so the stalks stay snappy and their onion perfume stays clean. They love Asian-leaning salty-sour fats—soy, sesame, vinegar—where their mild bite reads crisp instead of assertive.

Best Uses

thinly sliced raw over salads and crunchy slaws
quick skillet-style flavor base (bloom and soften in hot oil) without chasing sweetness
stir-through sauces and broths at the end for bright, oniony lift
garnish for finishing—keep stalks crisp, not stewed

Flavor Profile

clean onion fragrance mild, fresh bite tender-crisp green stalk texture

Kitchen Pairings

ginger garlic soy sauce sesame oil rice vinegar eggs

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Allium fistulosum (guardsman) and what should I do?

Watch for onion thrips and downy mildew, which can show up as streaking/silvery patches on leaves and pale gray-purple fuzz on foliage in humid weather. Remove and discard heavily spotted leaves, keep the bed well spaced for airflow, and avoid overhead watering; if thrips are active, use insecticidal soap and repeat every 5–7 days until new growth is clean.

How often should I water Allium fistulosum during the main growing phase?

During active leaf growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil evenly moist but not soggy—water about 1–2 times per week depending on your heat and soil, and increase frequency only if the soil dries out that far down. In consistently wet conditions, Allium fistulosum is more prone to foliar issues, so water deeply and then let the surface begin to dry before the next watering.

How can I tell when guardsman (Allium fistulosum) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when leaves are thick and flavorful—typically around 45 days—after you have several inches of regrowth. For a cut-and-come-again harvest, cut outer leaves near the base and leave the inner shoots to keep producing; for a one-time harvest, pull entire plants when the clump is well formed and sturdy.