Onion Storage
Tips for Optimum Onion Storage
Growing your own onions (and other vegetables) in the garden can no doubt save money on your grocery bill, but there are some important things you should know before jumping into the task, such as onion storage. It can be crushing to spend so much time and effort tending to your garden only to see your harvest rot because it was not treated and stored properly. We are going to talk about the steps that should be taken after harvesting the onions so that you can make your onion crops last as long as possible.
Cleaning the onions
Proper onion storage will not matter a bit if you don’t take the right steps beforehand. While one may be tempted to rinse the onions off with water, this can actually shorten the life of the onions a great deal. To reduce the amount of moisture that the onions take in, try simply rubbing the majority of the dirt away using a cotton glove. There is no need to peel the outer layers of the onions when doing this. Bear in mind that onions don’t have to be 100% clean when they are in storage. The real cleaning should occur when the onions are being prepared to be eaten or frozen.
Curing the onions
Curing the onions is a vital step in making sure that your onions keep as long as possible in storage. The onions should be allowed to dry in the sun for about a week. After curing in the sunlight, the onions can be moved to a shady place for further curing. Many people choose to cure their onions in a shed, basement, cellar, or garage during this period to minimize pests and to provide the best protection from rain. Onions should never come into contact with water after they have been harvested. With onions, the key to proper curing and storage is air circulation. When storing the onions for curing in the shade, try putting them on a rack where air can access all areas of the onions. Allow the second curing to take place for about six weeks.
Storage
Don’t make the mistake of throwing the onions into a box or trash bag for storage. This is a definite no-no. Remember that onions need airflow in order to have a longer shelf life! A mesh bag or sack made of another breathable material is ideal. Take care not to over-fill the bag(s), as this can also prevent the circulation of air. The sack can be laid out so that the onions inside are not piled on top of one another. This will minimize the development of soft spots and rotting. Again, a rack would be great, but an even better option would be to place the onions in pantyhose with a knot tied between each onion. The hose can then be hung from the ceiling or another high up place where they will receive total air circulation.
The environment of the storage facility is also important. Onions need to be stored in a dark, dry place. A root cellar or basement (if they are not moist) are great choices, but the garage may also work for some. The ideal storage temperature for onions is between 35 and 55 degrees F. The cooler, the better, as long as the environment is dark and dry!
As you can see, there is no single secret to good onion storage. One must ensure that the onions so not become wet after harvest, that they cure for the proper length of time, and that the onions are stored in a cold, dark, dry place. Following this advice, “regular” onions can keep for up to two months in optimum conditions, while sweet onions have a maximum shelf life of about 10 days. Best of luck with your onion harvest!