onions bolting what can i do?

[The Waxbill]

Or at least i think they are bolting. They have a long stalk with a sort of pod on top, I presume this contains the seed. i believe this isn't good. Can anyone tell me why and what do i do now? Thanks.

Ger.

[Millymollymandy]

If that's the thread where Odsox told me I could use the bolted onions now, he was absolutely right and I thank him profusely for that tip. I've been using them in cooking and even in salads and they are quite delish.

[Cheezy]

You have to make sure they don't get dry. This will help, but some varieties are prone, eg red onions.
If you buy heat treated onions these are less likely to bolt. I've always had a problem with red onions, so bought some heat treated from Dobbies, came in March/April, put in and they are looking good , so far nothing bolted.

[Millymollymandy]

I've found that this happens with Red Baron, but last year I grew a different variety of red onion called Hyred which didn't bolt so much. My soil is always dry so it's not surprising really.

[The Waxbill]

Well I cut off all the shoots with the seed heads as low down as I could. I pulled up one or two of the onions but there wasn't much of a bulb. I'm considering just pulling them up and using the space to grow something else. Or should I wait another few weeks and try to harvest them?

Ger.

[Millymollymandy]

Don't pull up the ones which haven't bolted! You should be able to see what size the bulb is as it pokes half out of the ground. I pulled up one of the bigger bulbs but although it is edible it isn't mature enough yet - needs several more weeks at least to colour up and swell up a bit (and more water).

[Green Aura]

Our onions bolted last year, but we ate them and they were fine. It was the first time we'd grown onions.

I read somewhere afterwards that they have a tendency to bolt if you don't plant them deep enough. You're only supposed to leave the tiniest bit of tip showing.

My mother, who's now well enough to do a bit of gardening has even earthed them up a bit. Thus far no signs of bolting - although they're also a different variety so it may just be that and not my improved gardening skills