onion help please

[JLO'smum]

I've called in at the lottie this morning and my onions have bolted (i think). They have a pointy flower looking thing on them, What do I do ? They were the first thing I planted, I do hope there is something I can do. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Skotch]

Just nip off the tops - you don't want your onion to devote its energy to seed creation

[JLO'smum]

wow that was quick, Thanks. Was expecting someone to tell me that was it and id have to bin them.

[Shadylane]

Use them first as they don't store for long. You'll have a woody bit in the middle that you'll have to discard but other than that you can still use em

[JLO'smum]

Thanks. So nice to know that within minutes of a major panic you can get a fab bit of sensible advice.

[kate&rob]

i've had the same problem with my red onions that i bought from wilkinsons, nearly all of them have bolted. whites seem ok at the moment though.

[bramble]

Red onions seem more likely to bolt than white ones.
Just nip off the flower bud ,and as said by previous posters, use these first, as they will not store.
These onions are known as "thick neck". You will notice that the stem or "neck" is hollow, These will be fine to use, but use them quickly.

[HayleyB]

Gawd I'm slow, all of the above... Don't panic.... I tend to take off the whole stalk deffo use them before all others they will rot otherwise

[Two_Sheds]

I am pulling my bolted ones now to eat as salad onions

[gojiberry]

I only planted autumn sets and every one has bolted. I still have some of the best onions ever, I know they wont keep so am going to slice and freeze most.

Ian

[JLO'smum]

do you have to do anything to them before you freeze them or do you just slice and freeze? Sounds like a good plan if they won't store for long.

[Shadylane]

I saw this blokey on youtube that used a kitchen gadget to slice his onions up for freezing. No blanching just chop and freeze. Easier for cooking too when you can't be bothered.