Harvesting, Curing, and Storing Onions
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Onions can be harvested at any time for fresh eating, but allow storing onions to mature fully to ensure the greatest storage capability. Onions will let you know when they are finished growing. You will start to see the tops flop over. The onions will bend over at the stem and stop directing energy to the foliage. Once the tops fall over, the onions are ready to harvest. Stop watering and wait for a dry period to dig up the bulbs.
How to Harvest Onions.
The easiest way to harvest a large amount of onions is to use a digging fork to carefully loosen the soil under the onions. Once the soil is loose, grasp around the neck of the onion stalk and pull them up gently trying not to tear the roots, stalks, or bruise the bulbs because damage will reduce the onion’s storage life. Spread out the onions on the garden fence so any soil that is still clinging to the bulbs can dry and be shaken of before bringing the onions inside to cure. If the sun is out, spread the onions out in a dry, shady area out of direct sun.
Curing Onions: Curing onions allows the outer layers to dry out and tighten forming a protective wrapping around the bulb. Onions cure best in a shaded, dry, and cool place. This can be in a shed or on a covered porch away from direct sunlight.
Onions are finished curing when their outer skins turn papery, the foliage at the neck constructs, and the foliage shrivels and turns brown.
Test one by cutting the stem about an inch from the bulb. The center of the cut area should not show any green. If it does, then the onions have not cured completely. Allow an additional week.
How to Store Onions
Once the onions are fully cured and all the foliage is dry and crispy, take the bundles back outside for cleaning and trimming before storing. Use scissors and cut the stems cleanly an inch or two from the bulbs and trim the roots. Brush the bulbs gently with your fingers to release any additional soil still clinging to the papery skin. Sometimes, the outer layer falls off. This is ok, but I try not to damage the skins any further than the first layer. Store cured onions loosely in baskets or hung in mesh bags in a cool, dark, and dry location
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