So, today I thought I’d get the onions, which have been lying on an old sheet, on the floor of the enclosed back porch, ready for storage. This spring, I was so busy planting all six gardens that I almost didn’t get the onions even planted. But, kind of at the last minute (in July), I socked in a 50-foot row of sets, figuring maybe I’d get some smallish onions to store over winter. (I can’t imagine an onion-less week!) After all, they’re my most-used vegetable, other than potatoes. They didn’t get much care as we struggled against the drought in all of the gardens, adding lots of extra mulch here and there, trying to hold in all the moisture we could. Creeks were going dry, lakes dropped feet, and we didn’t see any rain for weeks.
When late fall came, I knew I had onions but really hadn’t paid much attention to them. Before freezing weather hit, I went out and pulled the row. And I was very surprised to find I had a decent crop! They filled a 5-gallon bucket and then some. Of course, they still had on some tops. But still … The fall rains had come so I couldn’t just leave them lying next to the row to cure for a few days. So I hauled them in to the house and spread an old sheet on the back porch floor and placed the onions in a single layer on it.
Well, it’s been about two weeks now and because it was so nasty out, I decided I’d ready those onions for storage as cold weather is coming and eventually, the back porch, even though it’s enclosed, will reach below freezing temperatures as we close the door between it and the greenhouse part. I took a basket out as I usually store my onions in a basket or onion sack, so they have plenty of airflow around them. I also took a big bread bowl to receive the tops and a sturdy pair of scissors.
I would pick up an onion, rub as much dirt and old skin off as possible to avoid bacterial contamination, then clipped the dried top off about ½ inch or so from the onion bulb. It was dropped into the basket and another one was done. Any with green tops or thick necks were also clipped (including the roots), but those were put in a separate pile to use soon. Onions like that seldom will keep and usually soon get rotten. So, they go into the kitchen, where I’ll add them to stews, chili, salads, or fried potatoes within a week’s time.
All in all, I ended up with a heaping basket full of very nice (and some giant!) onions. So it goes to show you, plant, even though you think you might not get much for your time and work. Plants often surprise you! — Jackie
I have found the only way I can get onions that dry down and store here in Copper Basin Alaska. Also the hoop house is the only place I can get the ground thawed and warm enough to plant in late May. I planted five bundles of four long day onions including alisa Craig which make large bulbs and are use them up in relishes and sauces because they don’t keep long, Copra (2 bundles) Blush, and a long keeping red.did really well. Just got home from a week in the hospital to -32 in the drive way it’s warmed some but hasn’t gotten above zero yet despite several inches of snow!
Brrr! We had zero the night before last and I thought that was cold. I hope you are feeling better and that it was nothing too serious.
Sure wish we could get some snow or rain. We are setting records and not the right kind either !
Here’s hoping you get some moisture that you need.
Fantastic. Glad you got some onions…we can’t cook without them either. :)
Some vegetables, I can get along without. Onions sure aren’t one!
I also give a little twist on the onion tops when I’m cleaning them up. Seals them, looks nice.
Good idea.
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