Onions are among the most popular vegetables worldwide, and with a little care, you can enjoy them year-round. Harvesting and storing onions effectively is key to making the most of your crop. Here’s your guide to achieving the perfect onion harvest and storing them for long-term use.
When to Harvest Onions
Onions are ready for harvest when their leaves begin to flop over. This is a sign that the bulb is maturing and preparing for dormancy. The neck of the bulb, where the stem meets the onion, will soften, and the skins will start to color up.
To get the most out of your onions, wait until the leaves are completely collapsed and the bulb skins are papery and dry. Harvesting before this point can lead to shorter storage life.
How to Harvest Onions
For a successful harvest, pick a dry day. This ensures cleaner bulbs and makes the lifting process easier. Gently grab the bulb or stem and twist to lift. If the bulbs are resistant, use a hand fork to loosen the soil without damaging the onion.
It’s crucial not to damage the leaves or roots, as these are essential for curing the onions. Clean any larger clumps of dirt off but avoid full cleaning until after curing. Only store healthy, undamaged bulbs, discarding any small or flower-stalked ones.
Curing Onions
Curing onions creates a protective, papery layer that helps prevent mold and bacteria, while enhancing flavor. To cure onions:
- Place them in a dry, well-ventilated space. If you live in a humid or rainy climate, move them under cover to avoid moisture.
- Lay the onions out in a single layer to allow for good airflow. I use a raised platform in my greenhouse for optimal drying conditions.
- Curing takes about 2–4 weeks. The leaves should shrivel, the roots turn wiry, and the skins should become papery and richly colored.
Storing Onions
Once your onions are fully cured, it’s time to store them. Here are four methods to consider:
- Sacks or Net Bags: Place onions individually in breathable sacks or net bags. Ensure there’s no bruising, and set aside any that are soft for immediate use.
- Bunching: Tie onion leaves together in bunches for easy storage. This allows for air circulation around each bulb.
- Pantyhose: Use old pantyhose to store onions in small clusters or individually. Tie knots between each bulb to keep them separated, and snip them off as needed.
- Onion Strings: This traditional method is both practical and beautiful. Create a slip knot at the bottom of a length of strong twine, feed the first onion through, and tie the foliage down. Add each successive onion, rotating them for a neat spiral, and hang them up to dry.
Storage Tips
Store onions in a cool, dry place with good airflow. They don’t need refrigeration—just somewhere out of direct sunlight, humidity, and frost. Basements, dry outbuildings, or cool rooms in the house are ideal.
If you’re using sacks or net bags, keep them off the ground to avoid pests. Regularly check stored onions for soft spots or mold and remove any affected bulbs. Onion strings or bunches can be suspended from hooks or rafters, taking the onions from the top as you use them.
Well-stored onions can last all the way through the winter and into the next spring, making them a truly rewarding crop to grow and store.