Harvesting and storing onions
What you need to know
Onion harvesting and storage works a little differently depending on the type of onion. In the case of onions and shallots, the onion is harvested and then stored. Whereas with spring onions, the whole onion, including the green part, is harvested and used fresh.
When can you harvest onions?
Spring onions, for example, can be harvested 60 to 90 days after sowing, while onions usually take between 100 and 150 days to reach harvest maturity. Depending on the growing period, you can harvest either in spring or late summer. You should be aware that sown onions tend to stand longer in the field.
Harvesting shallots, green onions and onion sets
The right time to harvest is when the leaves are dead and bent over. If the leaves begin to wither, you can loosen the soil with a digging fork a few days before harvesting to speed up ripening. If the weather is dry, you can then pull the onions out of the ground. Before storing, the onions should be left to dry for one to two weeks in a dry and well-ventilated place.
Harvesting spring onions: how to do it
Spring onions are harvested when their greens are still fresh and tender. You can also start harvesting green onions regularly from a size of around 15 cm/5.9 in. Do not cut too deeply so that the plant sprouts again.
Storing onions
You should be particularly careful when harvesting onions for storage. It is best not to store damaged onions, as this increases the risk of spoilage. Depending on the skin of the onions, you can store them for different lengths of time. Red onions tend to have a thinner skin than white and yellow onions and can therefore not be stored for as long.
How to store onions properly?
The storage area should be airy, dry and dark. It should also not be too cold, as temperatures of around 5 ° C/41 ° F will only encourage the bulbs to sprout. Temperatures of around 10 ° C/50 ° F are best and it is not a problem if you do not have a cellar. In most cellars, the humidity is too high anyway, which is not good for the bulbs. For this reason, a refrigerator is also not suitable for storing onions. However, spring onions are the exception here, as you can store them in the fridge for one to two weeks or freeze them.
Storing potatoes and onions together?
Onions and potatoes should not be stored together. Potatoes need a high level of humidity, while onions prefer a dry environment. Onions also give off a ripening gas that promotes potato spoilage. The result is shriveled and sprouting potatoes.
What is the shelf life of onions?
- Vegetable onions: Depending on the variety, onions can keep for several months if stored correctly. Yellow onions generally keep longer (up to 6 months) than red or white onions (around 2 to 4 months).
- Shallots: Shallots can generally be stored for 2 to 3 months if kept under the right conditions.
- Winter onions: Winter onions are tough and can keep for up to 5 months or even longer if stored correctly. They have a particularly thick skin, which increases their shelf life.
