Making the onions last longer?

[kentvegplot]

Not sure if this is quite the right place, but I was wondering if anyone has tips for keeping the stored onions from shooting for as long as possible? I've still got several pounds on strings, but they're all shooting now.

I haven't got the ideal breezy barn, but they can choose between a dark garage (which I seem to remember is a bad idea) or a light, old wendy house which is really like a small shed.

Any other suggestions gratefully received....

[Hilary B]

Not sure if this is quite the right place, but I was wondering if anyone has tips for keeping the stored onions from shooting for as long as possible? I've still got several pounds on strings, but they're all shooting now.

I haven't got the ideal breezy barn, but they can choose between a dark garage (which I seem to remember is a bad idea) or a light, old wendy house which is really like a small shed.

Any other suggestions gratefully received....

If they've already started shooting it is probably too late for anything but cutting up and freezing (or some other 'prepared' storage). To prevent shooting, temperature is the vital key, but ventilation is always critical.....

[Alison]

It's very hard to stop them sprouting at this time of year as it's nice and warm for them. You need to keep them somewhere cool but airy in future but you'll still lose some.

[Two_Sheds]

The ones I put in the fridge lasted a lot longer than the ones I left hanging in the shed.

[Snadger]

The ones I put in the fridge lasted a lot longer than the ones I left hanging in the shed.

You've kept onions in your fridge for 8/9 month?????????

[rana]

After harvesting they must be kept as dry as possible, baked in the sun if you can before stringing and hanging up. Then placed in a cool dry area (or 2 Sheds enormous fridge). If you've got them this far through the season without too much sprouting thats pretty good and the first of the winter onions should be ready to pick soon.

[Two_Sheds]

You've kept onions in your fridge for 8/9 month?????????

No.
When the weather, and the shed, started to warm up in March, I moved them into the fridge (I only had a couple of pounds left by then)

[Paulottie]

You've kept onions in your fridge for 8/9 month?????????

I couldn't have fitted them in for the seed potatoes I'd stored!!!

I'd assume you'd only have to put them in as the weather warmed. I just don't think i'd want them in the fridge anyway..not really practical is it?..doesn't the cream/everything else smell like onions!?

Shallots last a bit longer I find, and then I planted some overwintering onion sets so they are swelling now so I can pinch a few of those.... It is a season thing. Onions sprout in spring, Use them quicker next year.

[kentvegplot]

Thanks all! I can see a large batch of soup coming up this weekend, and I shall remind myself to use them more quickly next year.

[zazen999]

Or just chop and freeze for those days between one batch and another.

[Two_Sheds]

.doesn't the cream/everything else smell like onions!?

What is cream? We only keep beer in our fridge

No, they are in a deep salad drawer, they don't taint anything else.