can you eat the wild onions growing around the yard/flower beds?

Question

I have onions growing all over my yard and in flower beds this spring. Is it safe to eat them? Can I transplant them to my vegetable garden? They look just like green onions that I would plant in my vegetable garden.

Answer 1

The answer is yes but make sure your "sweetie" eats some too, they can be very garlicky. An even "garlickier" cousin is the "ramp" which creates breath capable of killing "vampires" at 100 paces. RScott

Answer 2

Who knew there was more to weeds than irritation? Turns out, you can eat some of them – for example, those tiny onion bulbs and their chive-like leaves that last month began to burst through the brown zoysia like Chia Pets gone crazy. They’re wild onions, and they’re ready for harvest now.

“The flavor is intense, a combination like garlicky chives,” said Nicola Macpherson, proprietor of Ozark Forest Mushrooms. “If you mow over them, they smell like fresh garlic. Very strong.” Left to mature, the leaves grow to a height of 18 to 20 inches, one stalk develops a handsome white seed flower and, as the seed head matures, the stalk bends over (thus the nickname nodding onion). Macpherson uses wild onions, both bulbs and leaves, in salads, soups and stews.
Excerpt from Wild greens and herbs are ripe for the foraging • By Pat Eby

Answer 3

First are they the true wild onion. Or are they onions that were left in the ground that regrew. Or are they chives which have no bulbs. If indeed they are wild onions, make darn sure they are the edible type. As there are wild onions that look similar and are deadly poison..If you cant tell the difference do not eat.

Answer 4

You can eat them, but they're not onions. They are a terrible weed, called nut grass. You need to go to your garden center. They will have the stuff to eliminate them. Be ready, though. They are VERY hard to get rid of.

Answer 5

don't transplant---they are grown once you see them and they will just rot and poot up a wimpy answer to an onion. You can eat them, they are difficult to pull but I used to cut the tops and use like chives.

Answer 6

They can be eaten if your NOT using harmful herbicides or pesticides. Many products for flower gardens are not suitable for vegetables that are to be consumed.

Answer 7

My neighbor eats them. I can't hardly stand the smell on my hands when I pull them up. They are soooo strong. I can't handle it and I love regular green onions.

Answer 8

yes... long as you wash them off and no one's drown them in some serious herbicide.