When nature pampers us with timely rains, the onions ripen so quickly that the aboveground part of it does not have time to dry, which can provoke rotting in the future..
As a result, we get such fruits. The onion has taken root and begins to gain excess moisture, which will affect further storage. To avoid rotting, the crop must be harvested despite the greenery.
Leave the dug out onions in the garden and wait until they dry completely. But it must be constantly turned over, and a sudden rain will aggravate the situation. In addition, the scorching sun is the first enemy of juicy fruits.
It is still impossible to cut off green sprouts immediately and send them to storage in nets – raw fruits will begin to deteriorate from lack of air.
In any case, the onion should dry out for a long time in a shaded place. It must be constantly turned over and spoiled bulbs selected..
There is a way that helps to avoid all problems – this is weaving onions (and garlic) in ordinary braids..
No tricky tools are required – a knife or scissors for trimming the “mustache”.
We cut only the roots. There is no need to tear off the husk, after complete drying it will disappear by itself.
After cleaning, you can start weaving braids from bulbs.
Experienced gardeners make weaving skillfully, but a beginner should take advantage of the additional help of a thick thread.
We tie the first three bulbs with a thread and weave a braid so that the next “tail” falls on the bundle with a string. It is worth pulling harder, the fruits will not suffer from this.
Such a “pigtail” will be stored all winter.
Finished braids should be hung in a shaded, ventilated room, on a balcony or under a canopy until completely dry. Before the onset of cold weather, onions are brought into an unheated, but not cold pantry. The bulb is separated from the main braid by “unscrewing”.
“Can anyone share tips on how to properly prepare onions for storage? I have recently harvested a batch from my garden and I’m unsure about the best methods to ensure they stay fresh for a longer period. Any advice on curing, cleaning, and storing onions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!”