Onion

Onions are a useful product that is stocked for future use in the fall. It is not a perishable vegetable, so with the right approach it can last until it gets warmer.

Read the article about how to properly prepare vegetables for long-term storage, how and under what conditions to store onions in winter so as not to lose the harvest.

Preparation for long-term storage

The shelf life of onions depends on how well the onions are prepared for storage.

Varieties

The variety is crucial in terms of keeping quality Luke. It determines how long vegetables can remain physiologically dormant, that is, remain fresh, not germinate or rot.

These include:

• Bessonovsky;
• Stuttgarter Riesen;
• Orion;
• Spassky;
• Strigunovsky;
• Arzamassky, etc.

Semi-sweet varieties with white and red husks are stored worse. They must be used before the end of winter. You cannot put different types of onions in one storage container.

Conditions

Onions have certain requirements for storage conditions. There are two options:

1. At a temperature of -1...+3 degrees, in the basement or cellar.
2. At a temperature of +18...+22 degrees, at home.

If the onions will be stored in the basement, you need to take care of the cleanliness of the room. It is cleared of debris, all last year's plant debris is removed and ventilated for several days. The walls are treated with slaked lime, which destroys mold spores and bacteria.

High humidity is combated with sawdust or lime. Several containers are filled with the selected adsorbent and placed in the cellar or basement. They will absorb excess water.

Be sure to ensure adequate ventilation. If it is weak, then additional fans are installed on the vents.

He will tell you at what temperature you need to store onions. this publication.

What's better?

Onions can be stored in several ways:

1. In a braid. To weave it, they use their own onion feathers, which are not trimmed after drying. To keep the braid securely, it is strengthened with twine.
2. In stockings or nylon tights. They are stuffed with bulbs and hung from the ceiling.
3. In linen bags or nets.
4. In wooden boxes.
5. In plastic lattice containers.
6. In bulk on the floor in the apartment. It must first be covered with newspapers.
7. In wicker baskets.

Regardless of the container chosen, you need to ensure the onions have adequate ventilation. When storing in bags or tights, vegetables should be packaged weighing 3-4 kg. If the crop is stored in bulk, the layer thickness should not exceed 30 cm.

Under no circumstances should onions be stored in plastic bags.

Neighbours

Onion next door can only be stored with pumpkin and garlic. These crops have identical requirements for environmental conditions. They do not harm the bulbs and do not spoil themselves when they are near them.

You can learn about storing onions and garlic together Here.

Harvest processing

After harvesting, it is carefully cleared of the soil, without tapping, so as not to damage the head. Algorithm for further actions:

1. Dry the bulbs. They are laid out on a flat surface, or right on the garden plot, and left for 2 days.

   Vegetables are dried in an apartment, in a country house or in the attic. They should stay there for another 2 weeks.

2. Trim necks and roots. To increase the effectiveness of this procedure, they can be set on fire.
3. Sort the bulbs. All damaged and diseased specimens must be removed. They are used first.
4. Sort vegetables by size. Medium-sized fruits, not too large and not too small, are selected for long-term storage.

If the crop is stored in braids, then the feathers are not cut off. After drying, they are used as a base for weaving.

How to properly store in winter?

Onions can be stored at home or in the cellar. In the apartment it is placed in:

• pantry,
• in a refrigerator,
• on the loggia,
• or in the living room under the bed.

A cellar is better suited for wintering vegetables, but it is not always possible to achieve optimal conditions.

At home

At home, onions can be stored at a temperature no higher than +22 degrees. Otherwise it will start to grow quickly. Vegetables should not be placed in the kitchen as it is too warm for them.

If you don't have a pantry, you can line the floor under your bed with newspaper and leave the onions there in bulk. This way it won't take up extra space.

You can learn about ways to store onions at home here.

In a refrigerator

It is not possible to store onions in large quantities in the refrigerator. It is too humid and warm, which is why it begins to quickly sprout and deteriorate.

That's why root vegetables are stored in small volumes in the vegetable compartment, putting them in a paper bag.

Part of the harvest can be frozen. It is cleaned, washed under running water, cut into cubes or rings and placed in a sealed bag.

Defrost the amount of onion that is needed for cooking. Repeated freezing is unacceptable.

You can learn how to store onions in the refrigerator from this articles.

On the balcony

If the loggia is glazed and insulated, it is perfect for storing harvested crops. Open balconies are not used for this purpose.

Vegetables are placed in cardboard boxes or other suitable containers and placed on the loggia. To prevent them from freezing, you can cover them with a blanket.

In the cellar or basement

Onions are stored in the cellar or basement until the weather warms up. The main thing is that the room complies with 3 basic principles:

• was sanitized and clean;
• it maintained a stable air temperature of -1...+3 degrees, and humidity did not exceed 70%;
• Sufficient ventilation was provided.

How to store onions in a cellar or basement, read Here.

Shelf life of onion

Shelf life of onions depends on the air temperature and the method of storage:

• at a temperature of +18 degrees – six months;
• in the refrigerator – 30 days;
• in the cellar at a temperature of 0...+3 degrees - up to 9 months;
• in dried form – up to a year;
• in a spit - up to six months.

You can learn how to preserve peeled onions for a long time from this articles.

Features for onion sets

Onion sets are stored at a temperature of 0...-3 degrees or above +25 degrees. In such conditions, he does not go into the arrow. Before sending it for the winter, the bulbs need to be sorted and dried.

You should not pour the seeds into plastic bags.. The container must allow air to pass through. These can be nylon stockings, linen bags or paper bags.

He will tell you how to store onion owls at home. this article.

Nuances for leeks

Leeks are stored in the refrigerator in the vegetable drawer. It is placed in plastic bags, in which small holes are made so that the vegetables do not suffocate. You can put the harvest on the balcony, covering it with a warm blanket.

How to store leeks at home, read Here, about storage in a cellar or basement - here.

How to store fresh greens?

Store fresh green onions in the refrigerator. There is no need to wash it.

Feathers are wrapped in paper and placed in plastic bags with holes made for ventilation. and put it in the vegetable drawer. In this form, the product remains edible for a month.

Another option for harvesting greens is cutting and freezing them. In the freezer it retains its freshness for about 12 months.

Read about storing green onions in the refrigerator here, about ways to prepare green onions for the winter - Here.

Alternative methods: pickled, dried, salted

Onions can be pickled. Procedure:

1. Peel the heads, wash and chop them.
2. Place the product in sterile glass jars.
3. Add spices and pour in marinade.
4. Close the jars with iron lids.
5. Put them in the cold.

Onions can be pickled in their own juice. Algorithm of actions:

1. Remove the skins from the onion, cut into rings and mix with salt.
2. After 15 minutes, place it in sterile jars.
3. Close the lids and put them in the cellar for storage.

For 2.5 kg of onions you will need 0.4 kg of salt. If desired, you can add 100 ml of vinegar.

Washed and sliced ​​onions can be dried. There are several ways to prepare it:

1. In an electric dryer.
2. In the oven.

After drying, store it in clean glass jars or paper bags.

What difficulties might you encounter?

The main problem that you may encounter is damage to the heads by neck rot.

To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to strictly observe the storage conditions of the crop, weeding out all damaged fruits. Dampness is combated by regularly ventilating the room.

The bottom of vegetables can also rot. To prevent damage to the crop, its rhizome is burned before being sent for storage.

Read about why onions rot during storage and how to avoid it. Here.

Conclusion

Storing onions is easy. The main thing is to prepare it correctly and organize suitable conditions: air temperature from 0 to +3 degrees, or from +18 to + 22 degrees. The room should not be damp or dirty. Compliance with basic principles will allow you to preserve the harvest before the onset of heat.