Curing Onions, Harvesting and Storage

Curing onions is easy. It is important to let them dry well. Fresh onions that have too much moisture, can mold and rot in long-term storage. So, they are cured first.

• Allow clean bulbs to dry in the sun.

• Spread onions out on a flat surface, in full sun. Allow them to dry in the sun for a few days until the onion roots and the plant itself is a dry, brown. If rain is in the forecast, cover them or bring them indoors, until the weather clears.

• Cut the tops off the onion, to about an inch from the bulb. Trim off dried roots.

• Continue to cure the onion bulbs.

• Place bulbs loosely on a table or counter, out of direct sunlight. The area should be warm and well ventilated.

• Cure bulbs for an additional 2 -3 weeks.

• Now, the bulbs are ready for long-term storage. 

After curing onions, they should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Properly stored, most varieties keep well into winter.