The shelf life of onions largely depends on harvesting.
You should dig up onions for storage only after they are fully ripe. The main signs that it’s time are dry covering scales, a dry neck and drying leaves.
Onions should be harvested in clear, dry weather (1). The bulbs should not be pulled out - this can damage the bottom. They need to be dug up with a shovel.
Onions removed from the soil are left in the garden bed for several hours to dry along with the leaves. Then it is dried indoors for 1 – 2 weeks. After the onion dries, the roots and leaves are removed (2).
Cleaning and preparing onions for storage
You need to be able to not only grow an excellent harvest, but also preserve it until spring. Proper harvesting of bulbs from the beds will increase their shelf life. And it all starts with preparation for the collection. 20-30 days before the expected digging of the vegetable, watering is completely stopped. After 70–80% of the feathers have dried, the onion heads must be removed from the ground. By this time, the maximum amount of useful substances is concentrated in them. If you harvest too early or too late, the onions begin to rot. Signs of ripening of vegetables are the drying of the neck (the transition from the head to the feathers) and the upper layer of husk on the head.
Some gardeners set harvesting times based on the lunar calendar. Astrologers say that it is better to dig up vegetables that grow in the ground during the waning month. After all, at this time the juices of the plant rush into the vegetable. After the new moon they head to the stems. This time is not suitable for removing bulbs from the soil.
When harvesting, observe the following rules:
- Choose a dry, sunny day.
- The procedure is planned for the morning.
- If the soil is crumbly and loose, then the ripe vegetable is simply pulled out with your hands. Removal from heavy soil is done with a pitchfork or shovel. The heads are dug up and then removed by the feathers.
- The onions are cleaned from the soil by hand.
- The tops are not cut.
In the evening, the dried heads are removed from the garden bed to a permanent place for drying. This could be shelves or the floor in a shed or utility room. The bulbs are laid out on a horizontal surface in a thin layer. You can use armored mesh. This option is considered the most ideal, since air circulates not only from the top and sides, but also from the bottom of the vegetables. They dry completely.
If the harvest is small, then the onion heads can be heated in the oven. They are placed in a heated oven, then after 40-50 minutes it is turned off. These manipulations are repeated several times.
The drying process is important. Dry vegetables do not rot and therefore withstand wintering better. The drying period can be 5-8 days. When the neck of all the bulbs is completely dry, the onions are ready for storage. The roots are completely removed. If you do not plan to braid the bow, then the feathers are trimmed, leaving only 4-5 centimeters.
Only after all the manipulations is the vegetable determined for the winter.
Compliance with agricultural technology
Agricultural technology has a significant impact on the keeping quality of onions. And excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers increases the ripening time of onions, reduces the dormant period, and increases the tendency to germinate. And vice versa: the application of potassium fertilizers increases shelf life and improves taste.
Rain and heavy watering in the last stages of the growing season delay ripening and have a detrimental effect on the keeping quality of the crop. In turn, following the rules of crop rotation reduces the likelihood of disease occurrence.
Onions are dug up when 50% of the leaves have fallen. In this case, the work must be adjusted to warm sunny weather. For central Russia, the harvest time falls in the first half of August. How to dig correctly is described in detail in the article: “Onion harvesting: terms of digging by region, agricultural technology, drying and preparation for storage.”
Ripe bulbs are covered with dry, dense and thin covering scales. On unripe onions, the covering scales do not have time to form. A thick neck contains excess moisture. This crop has a high tendency to sprout and fungal diseases.
If the soil was wet when harvesting the crop and there are remnants of stuck soil on the bulbs, they must be carefully cleaned off by hand. It is unacceptable to tap vegetables so that the dirt falls off on its own. Rot is likely to form at the impact site.
General storage rules
Experienced gardeners know that there are the following rules for successfully storing any vegetables:
- availability of high-quality ventilation;
- lack of dampness and sunlight;
- creation of a certain temperature regime.
Only a combination of these factors will allow the onion heads to overwinter well.
Temperature
There are different forms of storing bulbs:
| Method name | Temperature _ | Advantages of the method |
| Cold | +3°С, 0°С | Overall yield losses are minimal. |
| Warm | +17+21° С | Suitable for indoors. |
| Combined | In autumn: +17+19° C, in winter: +2° C, 0° C, in spring - +3° C. | More economical than warm. More vegetables are preserved. |
When stored in a cellar or basement for sweet and semi-sharp varieties, the air should be no colder or warmer than + 1+2 ° C, for spicy varieties -1-3 ° C. If you do not monitor the temperature where the onions lie, this will lead to mass product damage. Frozen bulbs begin to rot, and when the temperature rises, they germinate.
Humidity
Air humidity is of great importance for the safety of the crop. Its level should not rise or fall sharply. For basements and cellars, the optimal humidity is 70-90%, for residential premises - 50-60%. If there is a lot of moisture in the air, then the vegetables begin to sprout, if there is little, they dry out.
To remove excess moisture, containers filled with wood shavings or ash or lime can be placed next to the onions.
High-quality ventilation helps maintain constant temperature and humidity levels.
sunlight
Some gardeners prefer to keep their crops on the balcony. With this storage method, it is important to ensure that direct sunlight does not fall on the bulbs. This will cause the vegetable to sprout and dry out. The container with it must be covered with thick material.
Optimal conditions for preservation
To preserve onions throughout the winter, maintain a temperature range from -3 to + 2°C. In such conditions it does not germinate or rot. The optimal humidity level is 70-80%.
Many housewives store bulbs in the apartment. Temperatures from +18 to +20°C are allowed, but under such conditions the product deteriorates and rots much faster. In warm conditions, turnips actively germinate already in 4-5 weeks, so it will not be possible to save them until spring.
Attention. To reduce high humidity, containers with ash, sawdust or lime are placed in storage facilities. These substances will protect the heads from rotting and absorption of excess moisture.
It is recommended to ventilate the room regularly, providing the vegetables with sufficient air ventilation.
How to store
There are many ways to properly store onions. The gardener independently chooses which one is best for him.
In braids
There is an old technique - braiding onions. It appeared in Russian villages and has survived to this day. It consists in the fact that the bulbs
with an uncut feather connected together, almost like a braid of hair. Such bundles can be hung in any room. In the kitchen they become part of the interior and disinfect the air. The onions are carefully trimmed as needed.
In the basket
Vegetables can be placed in wicker baskets. This container allows air to pass through perfectly and the bulbs remain fresh for a long time. It does not spoil the interior of the living space. And phytoncides destroy pathogenic microbes around.
In nylon tights
The Soviet method of storing heads in nylon stockings or tights cannot be called aesthetic. But thrifty housewives still use it. Still, it’s better if the vegetables are in a suspended state. Small holes in the fabric create the necessary ventilation.
In a box, box
Storage in wooden boxes saves space. The containers are stacked on top of each other, so you can place a large amount of crop. In addition, there is air access to the bulbs.
Cardboard boxes with small holes on the sides are also suitable for wintering vegetables. The only inconvenience is that you can’t place more than 2-3 boxes vertically.
In nets, fabric bags
Large nets are not suitable for keeping onions in them for a long time. They are suitable for transportation.
Fabric bags should be large. But they cannot be filled to more than 40% of the volume. Otherwise, the onions will begin to deteriorate en masse.
In bags, film
But plastic bags and films are completely unsuitable for storage. In them, vegetables “do not breathe”, become covered with droplets of moisture and quickly rot.
Where to store
At home, onions can be stored in residential and non-residential premises. It all depends on the conditions and the amount of onions.
In the cellar, basement
Cellars or cellars have been used for wintering vegetables for many centuries. In such places, humidity and air temperature do not change sharply. They usually have enough space to accommodate a rich harvest both vertically and horizontally. Moreover, any container, any method is suitable for storage.
In the apartment
Not all people have personal plots. They try to buy more onions in the fall, when they cost less. Store the purchased product at home. In a city apartment there is enough space for this. These are storage rooms that do not have central heating radiators, so they are colder there than in other living spaces. Some housewives place containers with onions in the hallway, if their space allows. Or right in the room, next to the door to the balcony.
In a refrigerator
The refrigerator is suitable for storing leeks and green feathers. Onions will be uncomfortable there, since lower temperatures are preferable for them.
In the freezer
Some housewives prefer to chop the onions, place them in small plastic bags and place them in the freezer. Then, as needed, take out the semi-finished product and immediately use it for its intended purpose. In this case, you won’t have to constantly peel and cut onions, shedding tears. But do not forget that chopped frozen product should not be stored in the freezer for more than one month.
In the kitchen
The kitchen is a good place to store onions. But a large number of vegetables most likely will not fit there. In this place it is convenient to place vegetables woven into “braids”, placed in any container.
On the balcony
The bulbs can be placed in a loggia or on a balcony, protecting them from sunlight and sudden night frosts. If this place is well insulated, then it is recommended to leave the onions there for the whole winter.
When to harvest
The shelf life of onions will depend on how timely and correctly the harvest is harvested.
- This vegetable is harvested in late July - early September. If by this time it has already fully matured and the husk peels off easily.
- The harvest is removed from the garden on a clear day and only undamaged bulbs are selected for storage. They should be without signs of damage and obvious traces of the presence of insects.
- The shelf life of onions, if they are not yet ripe, will be much shorter. Such vegetables quickly begin to rot and lose their elastic consistency. If you harvest later, when it is already overripe, the bulbs will begin to take root and lose their husks.
- It is best to store onions of later varieties; sweet ones belonging to early varieties (for example, the well-known red Yalta onion) very quickly lose their quality.
- Proper storage of onions should occur at normal humidity. If it is elevated, the harvest may disappear very quickly. When choosing a place to store onions, you need to take this into account.
Storage Features
The onion family is represented by many species and varieties. The housewife needs to know that each of them has storage features. How long the product will remain fresh depends on the specific conditions.
Onion sets
Sevok feels comfortable only where the temperature is about +19° C. Therefore, it should not be placed in the refrigerator, the vegetable will dry out there.
Bulb
Most often, Russian housewives grow and buy onions. After all, it comes not only in different colors, but also differs in taste. Golden, red or spicy onions stay fresh the longest if you keep them in the cellar. And in the living room you need to find a cool and ventilated place.
Whole
The container in which whole bulbs are placed must be breathable. Moreover, it is better to place different varieties separately. Small specimens should be immediately sorted and used first.
Purified
Do not forget that partially diseased bulbs can be made healthy by peeling them. Subsequently, the vegetable will be covered with it again. It is better not to leave such specimens for long-term storage. And put it in a suitable container and place it in a cool place. If possible, use vegetables quickly to prepare various dishes. If there are only a few peeled onions, they can be placed in plastic or glass containers and stored in the refrigerator.
Sliced
Sliced onions can be packed in small plastic bags and placed in the freezer.
Marinated
Onions are pickled. To do this, the bulbs are peeled, washed, chopped and placed tightly in glass jars. Add spices if desired. Then pour marinade and seal. Store the preparations in the refrigerator.
Fried
Onions fried in refined sunflower oil should be placed in a glass or plastic container and placed in the refrigerator. The shelf life of such a product is no more than 4-6 days.
Dried
If the apartment is small and there is absolutely no space to store whole bulbs, then they can be dried. To do this, use ovens, microwave ovens or electric dryers. First, the onions are peeled, thoroughly washed under running water, and cut into medium-sized pieces. Then use the desired electrical appliance:
- The baking sheet is filled with vegetables in one layer, put in the oven for 2.5-3 hours at a temperature of 50–60 °C. At the same time, make sure that the onion does not burn.
- In the microwave, place the pieces between two paper napkins and turn on the mode for a maximum of 3-4 minutes.
- The instructions for the electric dryer describe in detail the mechanism for preparing the product.
After cooling, the finished semi-finished product is placed in fabric bags or wooden containers and stored like regular spices.
Saline
For some salads, housewives use pickled onions. The recipe for its preparation is simple. Mix the chopped pieces with salt (the ingredients are taken in different proportions), put in a container, close with a lid, and put in the refrigerator. After 5-7 days the mixture is ready for use. It is better to prepare this seasoning in small portions.
White
White onions differ from regular yellow onions in their skins. It is thick, similar to wax paper. The product can be stored for no more than 4-6 months in a dry place.
Green (fresh)
Green onions can be kept fresh for a long time in several ways:
- In the refrigerator in cling film, but the feathers must be strong and without damage.
- In the freezer - sliced and packed in plastic bags.
- Salted or filled with vegetable oil - in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Or you can put green twigs in a glass filled with clean water. But in this case, the product should be used quickly.
Leek
To preserve leeks, they resort to the following manipulations:
- remove all yellowed parts;
- shorten the roots a little;
- a small plastic container with holes at the bottom is placed in the cellar and filled with raw river sand;
- Vegetables are planted in this improvised bed.
They are then removed and prepared as needed.
If this method is not suitable, then the roots of the leek are cut, leaving no more than 1 centimeter. The bulb is then placed in a damp cloth. The entire structure is wrapped in cling film. In this state, the product will last in the refrigerator for a couple of months.
Seminal
Particularly zealous gardeners buy seed material in the fall. At this time, its cost is low. One problem arises - how to preserve the vegetable before planting. This can be done in two ways - warm and cold. According to the first, the onions are poured into shoe boxes with holes in the sides and placed in a cool, dark place in the apartment. You can also place them in fabric bags in the basement or cellar. This is the second way.
Red
Bulbs of burgundy or purple color are often called red. They differ from yellow ones in their sweeter taste and shorter shelf life. If they are placed in a basement or cellar, they will remain fresh for no more than 3-4 months.
Yalta
The Yalta variety of onions has a unique taste. But the vegetable can remain in good condition for no more than 5 months from the date of harvesting. Therefore, as soon as the age of the onions approaches this period, it is better to preserve or pickle them.
shallot
Shallots are placed in wooden boxes or nets in a layer of no more than 4 centimeters. The warm method is used (stored in a living room at a temperature of 19–20° C) or cold (in the underground, attic, where the air does not warm up above +2+5° C). In the second case, the period will be no more than a year.
Rezanets (aka skoroda)
The feathers of chives, which are also called chive and chive, look like thin tubes. They can stay fresh in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. And during freezing, they completely lose their beneficial qualities. Therefore, for longer storage, it is better to salt the feathers or fill them with vegetable oil.
To prevent onions from sprouting
To prevent the bulbs from germinating, you need to monitor the temperature and humidity. As soon as they begin to rise, this will be a signal for the feathers to begin to grow. And you can eliminate troubles only by arranging ventilation in the place where the vegetables are located. Constant air circulation will prevent sudden changes in temperature and humidity.
Neighborhood with other products
In the cellar, containers with bulbs should be placed away from vegetables that grow in the ground. Neighborhood with dried berries, fruits, herbs, garlic is preferable.
In the refrigerator, onions should be kept packed in thick containers or cling film. Otherwise, some products may become saturated with a pungent onion smell and become unfit for consumption.
Why do onions rot?
Sometimes it happens that despite all the measures taken, onion heads begin to rot. And the following diseases can cause unpleasant processes:
- Bacterial. With them, rotting dark scales appear.
- Fungal. In this case, the entire bulb rots.
- Fusarium. The vegetable becomes soft and watery.
The beginning of the problem can be recognized by the appearance of a persistent onion smell. It is he who signals that the harvest needs to be sorted. Overly infected specimens should be thrown out, and in slightly spoiled specimens, the infected areas can be removed. In this case, contaminated products cannot be stored: the onions must be used immediately for cooking.
Onions are considered an agricultural crop that is unpretentious in storage. But it also requires periodic attention. Only compliance with harvesting rules, proper preparation and optimal conditions will ensure the preservation of the taste and smell of vegetables. When choosing recommendations, you need to pay attention to the individual characteristics of the variety. Sometimes the preferred storage method will depend on them.
Difficulties and ways to eliminate them
There are several reasons why onions in an apartment can spoil:
- Re-sorting of vegetables . If there are different varieties in one box, then it will not be possible to avoid rot. This is why it is so important to carefully sort through the crop immediately after harvesting.
Damage to vegetables . They must be stored carefully, avoiding injury to the heads.- Rotting of one or more specimens . If you don’t sort the bulbs at least once a month, you can lose most of the harvest.
- Removing the husks before storing . Scales should not be removed from the bulbs. They protect vegetables from spoilage.
- Root germination . To avoid this problem, you need to treat them with lime or cauterize them.
- Bulb rotting due to dampness . If the humidity level in the room is high, then next to the boxes you need to place a bucket of sawdust or wood ash.
Read more about why onions rot during storage and how to avoid it in this article.
