How to store onions: optimal conditions, effective ways

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Saving a crop is sometimes more difficult than growing it. From vegetables, onions are always sent for storage. It is an ingredient in many dishes, so many grow it in the country. With proper preparation and implementation of some recommendations, onions can be preserved in excellent condition until spring. But before you ask yourself how to store onions, you should find out how to prepare them for storage. Conservation of the crop begins with its harvest, so here some recommendations should be taken into account.

How to prepare and dry onions for long-term storage

In order to preserve the onion, it is necessary first of all to harvest the crop on time. If the bulbs are unripe, they will quickly decay; if they are overripe, they can begin to sprout. As a rule, it ripens in August, 3-4 months after planting, depending on the variety. Harvesting is recommended on a sunny day, so that the fruits have time to dry out in the sun.

Harvesting also needs to be done correctly, you can’t just pull the fruits out of the ground, so the bulbs are damaged. It is necessary to carefully dig them up, and then remove and lay them out to dry. If the weather is sunny, then put the bulbs in a row and leave for a week or two, because the sun will dry them best and also disinfect them. If the weather is cloudy, then it is necessary to place the crop in a well-ventilated area. Can be placed on the balcony or in the gazebo, it is best to place the bulbs in the net. But before that, it is recommended to peel the bulbs from the husk, because during drying a new husk will appear, and the fruits will be better stored.

In order to check whether the bulbs are dry or not, you need to stick your hand into the net with them. If the hand passes easily, then drying is enough. After drying, it is recommended to cut off all the roots and feathers.

What varieties of onions are better stored

There are several varieties of onions, it is different in color and taste. It has been found that spicy varieties are best stored, while sweets are not at all suitable for long-term storage.

Sweet varieties are stored only at a temperature slightly above zero, their shelf life usually does not exceed 3-4 months. Spicy varieties, especially Stuttgart Riesen, Bessonovsky, shallots, Amadon and Lighthouse, can be stored simply suspended in the apartment and will not lose their original properties, so these varieties can be safely to stock up.

At what temperature do you store onions

Many are interested in what temperature to store onions, but there is no definite answer. If the bulbs are stored in the apartment, then you should find a room with an air temperature of no more than 18 degrees. The required temperature depends on the variety, and the sharper the variety, the lower the temperature should be. Sharp and semi-sharp varieties such as Timiryazevsky and Aleko should be stored at a temperature of –3 degrees. For sweet and semi-sweet varieties, zero temperature is suitable.

Rules and methods for storing onions in the cellar

If it was decided to store the crop in the cellar, then it is necessary to prepare boxes or bags. Decide where to store onions is more convenient for you.

There are several ways to save onions:

• Arrange on wooden crates. It is advisable to choose boxes with a height not exceeding 50 centimeters, otherwise the lower layers may deteriorate. The box must not touch the floor and walls of the cellar.
• Bags. You need to choose bags of dense and opaque material, and fill them with several kilograms of vegetable.
• Containers for eggs. Another convenient method is to use egg containers for storage. One bulb should be placed in each section under the egg.
• Nylon stockings. For this method, you will need unnecessary tights or stockings, in which you need to put the crop. Kapron perfectly lets air in, so it’s easy to hang stockings in the cellar.
• Braid weaving. One of the most difficult, but at the same time the most effective methods is to weave braids from bulbs. Then they just hang out in the cellar.

In the cellar should not be increased humidity, any kind of vegetables spoil from moisture. To eliminate moisture, you can use chalk, it should be scattered in the corners. The room should be well ventilated. When a lot of husks fall off the onion, it should not be thrown away immediately, because it helps to combat high humidity.

How to store onions in the apartment

Mistresses who do not have a cellar or basement are interested in how to store onions at home in an apartment. Some varieties really do not need low air temperatures and can be perfectly stored in the apartment. The best option is to weave knitwear or braids. By hanging such a scythe in the kitchen, you can decorate the interior and clean the air of germs.

Where to store onions in the winter in the apartment? It is possible in the closet, if there is enough air flowing in, or in the pantry, using wooden boxes for this. Cardboard boxes are also suitable if you make holes in them on the sides. You can place the bulbs in nylon stockings or special nets made of polypropylene. You can use paper bags, but one thing to consider is that the onion layer in each bag should be no more than 30 centimeters.

Bulbs cannot be stored in plastic bags because they do not allow air to pass through. When stored using other methods, the crop needs to be sorted out a couple of times during the winter. This is necessary in order to check if there are diseased bulbs that can infect others. If a rotten fetus is found, it must be discarded. If the crop began to damp, then you need to dry it again, you can do this in the oven. Also, the search for bulbs allows access to the lower layers of air.

Some store onions in the refrigerator, but this is not recommended because of the increased humidity in the refrigerator. But if you are interested in the question of how to store peeled onions, then you can safely use the refrigerator, or rather the freezer.

Little tricks for long storage of onions

Even if you know where to store onions in the winter, it does not hurt to find out tips and advice on storing this product:

• You need to store only well-dried onions;
• First of all, you need to eat small fruits, they are stored the worst;
• The storage room should be dry, cool, and preferably dark;
• Do not store this vegetable with potatoes or carrots;
• Do not store different varieties together;
• The peeled bulbs cannot be stored in the clear, it is worth using a container or foil;
• You can sprinkle the fruit with chalk to protect against moisture;
• If the room is wet, it is worthwhile to install containers with lime or wood shavings.

Now you know how to properly store onions at home. If you select varieties suitable for long-term storage, and follow all the rules and recommendations, then the bulbs will be stored until spring.

Video: Onion Harvesting and Storage Tips