[MickyB]

Quite a few of my onions bolted both the red and brown variety, I nipped off the head as soon as they formed and they seem to have grown on OK. From what I understand these 'bolted' onions do not store very well and should be used first but how do I tell the difference between the ones that bolted and the ones that didn't bolt, to me they all look the same, or did I save them by nipping the heads off at an early stage and they will store OK regardless.

I did not leave adequate room around the onions to permit easy weeding access and as a result I knocked them a little when doing the weeding (lesson learned) would this be enough to cause them to bolt?

[simonwatson]

The reason they don't keep well is that the necks are fatter and don't dry out well, leading to rot in storage. Once you harvest, separate the ones with fattest necks and, after drying, use those first.

[MickyB]

Thanks - I will check them for fat necks.

If they do not store so well could I start using them early, before the rest?

[simonwatson]

Yes, there's nothing wrong with them and there's no reason not to use them straight from the ground even. They just don't last as the thick neck will stay fleshy and moist and will not close up on drying.