Help regarding storage of onions.

[Bill HH]

I grew 100 radar onion sets planted Oct/ Nov last year. They have done particularly well.

Now I have read that winter onions do not store very well.

My question is why? and how long will they store? I am going to string them when they are dry and hang them in my shed but is there a better way?

[Shadylane]

I think it's just that they're not bred for storage. They really don't last all that long in my experience. You could chop and freeze some though.

[Martin H]

Bill, I'm trying the same. I'm going to try and get them really really ripe and dry before hanging them up. We'll see how it goes!

These are them...

[Penellype]

They look lovely big onions, Martin.

[Martin H]

They look lovely big onions, Martin.

Yes, I'm really pleased with them. They are T&M's First Early, bought online from T&M, planted the day after they arrived last autumn. I'll be growing them again, especially if I find I can store them until say Christmas.

[Glutton4...]

I've never grown enough to have storage problems. However, I plaited them together, hung them in the kitchen, and just used them as needed.

Shadylane's suggestion of chopping and freezing would work well - if you have the freezer space, obviously.

[Alison]

I only grow enough to bridge the gap between last years main crop running out and harvesting this years ones so have never needed to store. It is my understanding though that they won't store very well no matter what you do but am sure you could manage a few months. Maybe the time of year makes a difference in that you're trying to store over the warmest months.

[arpoet]

I have just finished some I froze down after a bumper crop 2 years ago. Ideal for stews, bolognaise etc.
Had a very poor crop last year (spring planted) but this year they are looking good.

[Bill HH]

Sounds to me the best plan will be to store 2 months worth and freeze the rest, does anyone know how to make and freeze your own battered onion rings? I guess you have to part fry them or the batter would stick to everything.

[Dorothy rouse]

Sounds to me the best plan will be to store 2 months worth and freeze the rest, does anyone know how to make and freeze your own battered onion rings? I guess you have to part fry them or the batter would stick to everything.

Won't the 'batter' go soggy Bill? I'd freeze them as 'chopped rings', then do the battering just before cooking. But I've never cooked them, or even 'frozen onions' for that matter. Usually just dry and hang them up.

[redser]

Mine would last till about October and then start getting soft and rotten. I used a lot up in making pasta sauce and jarring or freezing that. The rest I wizzed in the blender, froze on flat trays, then dumped into ziplock bags. That way it stays 'crumbly'. It's very handy for cooking. Just grab a handful or what you need and chuck it into whatever you are cooking. It lasted till about march this year.
But this year I didn't bother with over winters because of the extra hassle. Will see how it goes.

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

Bill, I'm trying the same. I'm going to try and get them really really ripe and dry before hanging them up. We'll see how it goes!

These are them...

Seems I have serious competition! ..............



See you on the "VVVS" at the end of the season Martin!..........

[Martin H]

Seems I have serious competition! ..............

Nah, yours are HUGE Deano. Still I'll be giving VVS my best shot!

[Snadger]

I am pleased with my overwintered onions this year and have a good crop. I even managed to get a few red onions this year. Spring planted red onion sets have all went to seed as have half of my spring planted normal onion sets.
Thank heavens for the japs or else i would have been struggling with my onion harvest!

[Deano's "Diggin It"]

All in good fun Martin! All in good fun!