how soon can I pick onions?

[anthea]

Last year my onions all got eaten by rabbits, and this year I think I over-compensated by planting lots. They seem to have done very well, some are quite big already. I'll have difficulty storing them all if I try to dry them off like I saw people doing last year: so, I wonder, what is the soonest time I can start picking them and how do you know when an onion is ready to pick? Is there any disadvantage is picking them early?

Any advice welcome.
Thanks

[anthea]

[tim]

You have lots, so pull them as you need them, thinning out as you go.

Then wait until the tops flop over & either ease the roots out of the ground & leave to dry if the weather is fine, or lift & store under cover before stringing as shown elsewhere on the forum.

[anthea]

Great, thanks very much.

[Tee Gee]

If any have particularly thick necks/stems as opposed to bulbs you could pick these first and eat them as they won't store well even if they do bulb up.

[anthea]

Really good advice, thanks.