Some advise to bend over onions tops horizontally after the leaves begin to brown so that the sap stops flowing to the stem and diverts the plants energy to the bulb. Others advise to lay the onions out after digging so that the nutrients and moisture still contained in the leaves can be transported to the bulb. It doesn't seem to me that you can do both. If you have bent over the tops, won't that stop the transportation of nutrients? And once the bulb starts to mature doesn't the onion naturally divert its energy to the bulb? Isn't that why the leaves area turning brown in the first place? I want to know what's the best procedure for my onion crop.

racoonsdoeatbeans said:...bend over onions tops horizontally after the leaves begin to brown...
I want to know what's the best procedure for my onion crop.

Onions can be harvested for immediate use at any stage, but for best storage let the onion mature in its own time.

The onions will let you know when they are ready. The tops will lose color, the neck will dry out and the tops will naturally fall over. Bending the tops over too early will not help the onion to be ready to harvest for storage.

After pulling the onions, yes, leave the tops intact as the drying and curing procedure takes place. Once the onions are dried and cured (and assuming a storing variety has been grown), cut the tops away about 2 inches from the bulb, snip off the dried roots and the onions should store very well.

Here is one of the articles about onions:
https://garden.org/learn/artic...

Welcome New Member,
Here is something I wrote a few years back on long term storage of onions and root crops.
As much as possible let nature take its course with your onions. Some varieties are not
suited for long term keeping. I hope this might be helpful.
https://garden.org/ideas/view/...