Bolting Onions

Usually flowers are nice; but not when it's a sign that your onions are bolting! Like many plants, Alliums will bolt when they are under stress. The long spell of dry weather earlier in the year has encouraged onions on several plots to go to seed. This is an attempt to reproduce before they die.

Whilst this natural response is welcome in the members of the allium family grown for their flowers, onions, garlic and shallots are bred for their resistance to bolting and their ability to develop a bulb - but it can obviously still occur. In order to prevent it, protect your crop in the early spring from cold and ensure they are watered in any dry periods. Alliums are quite shallow rooted and although they are not water-hungry plants, they can be susceptible if the soil dries out for any length of time.

Unfortunately you can't close the shed door after the onion has bolted, so although the central shoot can be removed, you'll need to harvest these onions first. They aren't going to get any bigger and won't be any good for storing. Also, don't be tempted to save seed from onions which have bolted early as this isn't a characteristic you want to encourage in next years' crop.

Submitted by Tigger