[banf77]

Hi,

My onions have very long, healthly looking green tops.
Do you think they'd mind if I snip off the occasional bit to use as spring onions?
I remember last year when they turned yellow, I thought it was such a waste to have that nice foliage just go to waste.

Cheers
Steve

[peapod]

I wouldnt, they need the green tops to photosynthesise and get the big bulbs.  Theres still time for SO if you really want some..

[Knoblauch]

I remember a health practitioner I was seeing, into Living Foods etc, had put a normal onion in some soil like a sett so it grew fresh foliage, gave it to me and said "Have that for your dinner."  I think I did too, though it was hard work!

[DD.]

As peapod says, it's they for a purpose.

Also, apart from photowhatsit, as the bulb matures it will absorb the energy from the leaves to store, so actually the foilage is not wasted.

As Knoblauch allued to - they're tough!

[canwickplot]

Actually, I've had to cut away at some of my onions tops this year to make way for my leeks right next to them. I only took about one shoot per plant and it hasn't seemed to make any difference at all.

That being said, they are obviously there for a purpose so it certainly won't encourage healthy growth.

[banf77]

Thanks for your replies, cheers for that.

Will leave them alone and get more spring onions planted.

Steve