What Do You Do With Onions Once They Have Been Pulled Out Off the Ground?

Timing

• Pull up your onions in dry conditions. If you pull them up when the ground is wet, it will be more difficult to get them dry for proper storage. When onions are mature, their above-ground stalks will die and fall over. Wait until most of your stalks have fallen over to harvest the onions.

Curing

• Lay the onions out in a dry area that is away from direct sun. A porch, shed or garage is ideal. Turn the onions periodically so that all of their surfaces have a chance to dry. Let the onions dry until the roots are stiff and wiry and the skins are dry enough to rattle. If you store the onions before they reach this stage of dryness, you will probably have problems with rotting. It usually takes two or three weeks for onions to dry enough to be ready for storage.

Storage

• Separate out any onions that are young, damaged or thick-necked and use these onions right away. Cut the leaves and stalks off the onions to be stored, but leave at least 2 inches of stalk on each onion. Put the rest of the onions into mesh bags and hang them up in a dry spot for a few more weeks. After this, store them in a root cellar or a cool spot that is away from light. Check your onions periodically throughout the year to be sure they aren't having problems. If you find a rotting onion and remove it immediately, you will save the surrounding onions from damage.

Things to Avoid

• Don't leave clumps of soil on the onions when you pull them up. Don't cut the stalk too close to the bulb of the onion before storage. Don't mix onions with other vegetables when you store them. Don't put onions in a location where they will be exposed to excessive cold or heat, dampness, insects or rodents.