[MickyB]

I lifted a couple of onions can I eat them straight away or do I have to dry them first? One of the onions (a red onion) had gone to flower, the stem is visible in the bulb what do I do with the stem part, eat it or chop it out?

[Yorkie]

You can eat as soon as lifting 

Not sure about eating onion flower stalks; I know you can for garlic, but don't know about onions.

[gavinjconway]

Onion flower stalks are very tough blighters so not worth trying to eat them. 

FYI - I traditionally start eating my winter onions on 1st May as green onions like using leeks with white sauce and in stews, saute's  etc. Then when they are finished i can start on my main crop. I'm basically self sufficient on onions doing it this way. I do grow up to 500 each year though!!