When to dig up onions?

[clothmama]

We planted an onion that had started to sprout and there are now about 8 big stalks with fluffy big flowers on them. Are they ready to harvest or do we wait for the flowers to die off?

We wait until the leafy bits all flop over, but can't remember if the flowers die first.

If they have flowered it means they have gone to seed and wont be very nice. You can still eat them but get them out the ground now but you may have to ditch them as they may have gone green and hard in the middle.

[clothmama]

This is what they look like and J tried to dig one up but it was 7 small ones all stuck together. It was only a sprouted onion from the cupboard so no great loss! I should get some proper ones!

Yep - gone to seed . Next time dig up as soon as the leaves fall over, leave them laying on the soil for a few days to ripen, and then store in a dry dark place. Better luck next time!