Do not harvest onions too early

Do not harvest onions too early

Before the harvest

You should stop watering the onion beds in good time a few weeks before harvest. A dry and warm soil at the time of onion formation and ripening helps the gardener to a storable crop. The lack of moisture also causes the leeks to dry out.

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  • Well dried onions last longer

If you have pulled the onions from onion sets, they will ripen a little earlier than the sown onions. It is said that the onions that are set are not as storable as the onions that are grown from seeds. So it is all the more important to increase the shelf life - as long as the weather allows it - let them ripen on the bed until no green leaves can be seen.

harvest

When the leaves of the onions are two-thirds dry and twisted, the harvest can begin. To do this, the onions are pulled out of the earth on a dry day (you may need to use a digging fork if the roots are too deep in the earth) and the tubers are left on the beds to dry. Leave the dried herb on and remove it before storing the onions.

After harvest

If the weather is moderately sunny and dry, the entire onion harvest should ripen on the bed for a week or two. The onion skin hardens, which also contributes to better shelf life. When it rains or when the sun is too strong it is better to dry the onions under a protective roof.

The dry leaves are used to tie the onions together in several and hang them under the shed roof or, with a little manual skill, to braid the onion braids. The onions can then be stored in nets or other air-permeable containers. The warehouse should be cool, dry and frost-free. There is also a shed, a garage or an attic.

Tips & Tricks

Bring a touch of nostalgia to your pantry or kitchen by hanging a few onion braids there. The dried onion herb is well suited for braiding.