Onion storage

[Vince G]

So most of my onions have toppled over now and stems are going yellow.

I've lifted quite a few and used a few but the rest are drying on racks in the poly. What is the best way to ensure they store well - do you remove/cut the stems off when they're dry? Do you gradually remove the stem as bits of it dry? Maybe you don't remove the stem at all....

Obviously we're aiming for a closed neck at the top of the bulb so no nasties get in, but what's the best way to achieve this?

[Tripmeup]

I suspect people do it many different ways Vince.Personally, I lift and leave to dry... I have a look every week or so and remove dry bits...after a few weeks they should have dried out pretty well......Generally, I then store them with about an inch or inch and half of neck left.. but completely papery...

[Vince G]

Yup that sounds very much like what I've done for the last couple of years, so I'm not too wide of the mark. I had quite a few rot last year, but they were autumn sown sets and I gather these are not reknowned for their keeping properties. This year's are a mix of spring planted sets and seed grown, so hopefully should store better, but was just interested in peoples' methods so as to maximise storage times.

[rustylady]

Just wondering if it might be a bit humid in the polytunnel for drying Vince.

I put mine on racks in the garden when it's a nice dry sunny day.

[Alison]

I dry mine on trays in the conservatory but have used the greenhouse in the past with no problems. I then store in old tights, knotting between each onion.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Just to be different I dry like most other people but then use garden twine making a clove hitch for each bulb on a string of sat 8. I find the clove hitch around the neck of the bulb helps with keeping out any nasty's and I find it so much easier than traditional methods. Have to say though it doesn't look anywhere as nice.

Potty

[Vince G]

A clove hitch, blimey! Gonna have to dredge my memory of being in the cubs for that one!