[AlaninCarlisle]

I planted my sets as usual in March and am now wondering whether or not to harvest them, even though they haven't fallen over or started to go yellow.

The onions (Sturon, Red Baron, Snowball and Stuttgart) are at about full size and what's causing me to think about harvesting them before the leaves start to fade is that some of them are starting to burst out of their skins (probably too much Growmore plus excellent growing conditions).

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

[beesrus]

I was just thinking the same with my Stugarter giants. Some are huge and looking more suited to the show bench at Widdecombe Fair. I've pulled onions before in previous years when they weren't quite done and seem to remember they stored decently.
I think I'll be pulling and drying the biggest half and leaving the rest to go full term, but I'm no onion expert. Have just this moment enjoyed an interview with a Scotish onion farmer on Radio 4 Extra. Fascinating. 100 tons this year.

[andy dewar]

Hi i pulled all mine up today really good crop this year  a friend advised that i bend over the stems a couple of weeks ago as some were starting to bolt on our site so i did this and im sure this has helped cheers Andy

[louiseyoungs]

When I pull onions do I need to put them under glass?
I had a small folding shower door of glass but gave it back to the chicken man when we were deconstructing sheds so now I have no glass. I do have some polycarb kicking about though...

[AlaninCarlisle]

I have two old slatted wooden tables outside and just spread the onions out on them until the leaves have withered and turned brown, usually about two or three weeks, and then store them in a couple of old 3-tiered veg racks in a dry shed. We are still using last summer's crop

[Snoop]

I wouldn't dry them under glass or even polycarbonate: you're liable to cook them!

[MalcW]

As I understand it, they need to be dried for storage - is that right?

So, some more newbie questions:

When should I pull them up to start the drying process?
How do I know when they're dried enough?

I assume that if I want to use one now I can just pull it and use it? If I did so, how long would it keep in the fridge?

Thanks.

[Yorkie]

Yes you can pick them green.  I'd have thought they'd keep for a week or more in the fridge.

They're ready to harvest when the leaves have fallen over and gone brown.  Ease them out of the soil a little, let them dry out a bit, then lift them properly and dry for a very long time in a dry airy place where, if possible, the air can circulate underneath too.  Probably best to avoid greenhouses or they'll cook ...