The Complete Guide to Harvesting and Curing Onions: Your Year-Round Supply

Are you ready to enjoy the delicious, savory flavor of onions in your favorite dishes year-round? Harvesting and curing your own onions is a rewarding and simple process that can provide you with a self-sufficient supply that lasts for up to a year. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the steps you need to take to successfully harvest and cure your homegrown onions.

If you’re a beginner or just need a refresher, our guide to growing onions provides valuable cultivation instructions to help you get started.

What You’ll Learn

Table of Contents

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know for a successful harvest of homegrown onions. Here’s what we’ll be discussing:

When to Harvest Onions
How to Harvest Onions
How to Cure Onions

When to Harvest Onions

The timing of your onion harvest will depend on the variety you’re growing, your intended use for the onions, and whether you plan to store them long-term. Different varieties have varying days to maturity, so it’s important to keep track of when to expect your onions to be ready for harvest.

Green Onions

Also known as spring onions or scallions in some regions, green onions are harvested when the bulbs are immature. These onions can be used in dishes once the tops are over four inches high. If you want the plant to keep growing for its bulb, limit how much foliage you remove. Green onion bulbs can be harvested when the plant is about six to eight inches tall and the main stalk is half an inch wide.

Storage or Bulb Onions

Storage onions can be cured and stored for several months to up to a year. These long-day varieties require at least 14 hours of full sun to grow properly. Harvest is typically done in late summer, and you’ll know they are ready when the green tops start to turn yellow and weaken. For the best harvest, wait until 60 to 70 percent of the tops are down before harvesting to maximize yield.

How to Harvest Onions

Harvesting onions is a delicate process that requires care to ensure proper storage. To safely harvest your onions, use a garden fork, potato digger, or spade to lift the bulbs out of the ground. Be careful when handling freshly dug bulbs, as any damage can lead to rot during storage. Make sure the tops are intact as they help prevent pathogens from entering the bulbs.

How to Cure Onions

Curing or drying your onions is essential if you want them to store well over an extended period. Spread the freshly harvested bulbs in a well-ventilated area such as a shed, garage, or porch to allow them to dry out fully. Onions are ready for storage when the outer scales are papery, the tops are shriveled, and the roots are wiry. Make sure the neck is dry and shows no signs of green before storing.

If the weather conditions are not conducive to outdoor curing, you can use a greenhouse or hoop house for the drying process. Make sure the temperature stays within the range of 68 to 86°F to prevent sunscald and rot.

Enjoy Onions Year-Round

By following these simple steps for harvesting and curing your onions, you can enjoy a year-round supply of fresh, flavorful onions for all your culinary creations. The time and effort you invest in the harvest and curing process will be rewarded with delicious, homegrown onions that add zing and aroma to your dishes.

Are you currently growing onions in your garden? Share your experiences in the comments below!

For more information on cultivating alliums in your garden, be sure to check out these additional guides: