If you’ve planted onions earlier in the year they should be ready for harvesting any time now.

You can tell they are ready when the foliage collapses.

The old leaves at the neck of the onion should feel dry and thin, not soft and sappy.

Use a fork to ease the roots out, don’t pull them up by the leaves or you may damage the bulbs. Leave the onions on the the soil to dry off and ripen further. If it starts raining after you’ve lifted them, make sure they are dry and protected, either by covering them with a cloche or taking them into the greenhouse or indoors. Drying takes 7-11 days, depending on temperature and humidity, and the size of the bulbs.