[nilsatis1964]

How do you harvest onions?  Do you just dig them up or do you lift them and leave on the ground to dry.  I have been told both by different people from my lottie association.  This board decides.

[goodegg]

first of all when they are the size you want them or if they start to dry lay the tops down on the soil this will start the drying process then when they have dryed dig them up and let them dry in the sun for a few hours to dry roots then dry them till all foliage is bone dry in the greenhouse or some where dry then hang them or store them in a tray with holes for ventilation

[Troopersnoots]

The reason for drying them on the soil is to harden the skins so they store better, I let mine dry either on the soil or under cover for 10 days or so then bind them onto a length of rope and hang them from the roof in the garage.
 It's the same reason for drying maincrop spuds later on to harden the skins so they store better over winter.