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Harvest

Curing onions for storage

Fresh-pulled onions don't store well — the necks are still wet and rot quickly. Curing dries the outer skins and seals the neck so bulbs keep for months.

Steps

  1. Stop watering once about half the onion tops flop over.
  2. When most tops have fallen, pull the bulbs on a dry day and lay them out on a screen, rack, or newspaper.
  3. Cure in a warm, dry, shaded spot with good airflow — a covered porch or garage works well.
  4. Leave them for 2 weeks, until the necks are papery and dry all the way through.
  5. Trim tops to 1 inch and roots to ½ inch, then store in a cool, dark, dry place in mesh bags or open crates.

Helpful tip

Any bulbs with thick, green, or soft necks won't store — use those first.

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