Storing Onions

Blowin · Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 7:40 am Post subject: Storing Onions

I have a large wire grill with holes about 1.5 inches square and have used it for the last two years for storing onions. I put the tops down through the holes and leave the onions, roots up, until I need them.

I know that, if you leave the greenery on carrots after digging them up, the greenery will continue to take nourishment out of the root and make it go soft quickly so, on the same principle, does anyone know if storing onions upside down produces a similar effect? I ask because it seems as though those with their tops still green(ish) remain so for longer than I'd have thought they would.

Greengage · Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:40 pm Post subject:

they should die off soon, you should then make a hank and store them in a cool dry place.
whats an onion hank
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_YE3jQ982Y

My Potatoes · Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2013 5:34 pm Post subject:

I was going to construct a drying frame but instead just left the onions on the inside sill of the conservatory, then rotated them every few days. It seemed to work as well as a grill. It took over two weeks for the remaining green leaves for fully dry out.
I tried to make a plait like that of Greengage's YouTube clip. Though it worked well for garlic I found it bulky and cumbersome for onions. It didn't look secure either down the line when onions would be removed. Instead I used an onion rope:
http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/fruit-and-vegetables/how-to-store-onions/222.html
As you use them the onions are removed from the top. The string and the weight of the upper onions keep the lot secure. I've three ropes hanging in the garage with the last couple of months and all's well so far.

Greengage · Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2013 7:58 pm Post subject:

mmm looks a bit ropey Laughing

good idea there ill try this as well.

Blowin · Posted: Sat Sep 28, 2013 10:24 am Post subject:

Thanks for the replies, All.

My intention was to dry the onions off in the trays I've made (with the grating - a disused fire guard - as the floors) but leave them there until needed for the kitchen.

I'll keep the rope idea as a back up.

My Potatoes · Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject:

Were they autumn or spring planted sets? If the former, they won't store very long anyway.

Blowin · Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 7:55 pm Post subject:

Originally I didn't think I'd bother thsi year but was in my local farmers' co-op and spotted half a sack of sets on the floor.

I bought some (25 June) and planted them on 26, 27 and 30 June - so very late!

tippben · Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 10:48 am Post subject:

Another way of preserving them is to chop them into rings, which you then blanch for ten seconds in boiling water. Then you can freeze them when cool. Not quite as tasty as dried out ones, but if they're not storing well, at least they're not wasted.

Good guy · Posted: Thu Oct 24, 2013 10:26 pm Post subject:

I don't think my onions are going to store at all! I grew Stuttgarter and Sturon from sets, planted in late spring. Both gave disappointing crops (small size) and now I'm starting to use them I'm finding a lot of them starting to rot at the neck. I did allow them good drying conditions and my shallots and garlic grew well and are keeping well, so far. I last grew onions about 15 years ago, and got great results.
In case it is the fault of the varieties I used, I'm now growing Shakespeare, on the advice of a local gardener. Might I have bought sets with a fungus already in them? Or we're they perhaps just not well grown?
Any suggestions welcome.