Storing onions

Firstly you need to make sure they are dried out, when you are sure they have finished growing then pull them up. I dry mine on top of an old rabbit run so that the wire netting hold the onions off the ground, the sun and wind can then dry them off for a few weeks. When alll the green stems have withered to a brown paper-like appearance its time to store them. Choose a hot day (you don't want to be storing them wet) They need somewhere dry and cool, I use some wire shelves and every now and then check them. I have in the past tied them up and hung them up in the shed but that takes a little time to do. Over the winter a few will start to sprout or go mouldy so I throw those out to stop it spreading.

They should keep till about April/May next year - I guess it depends on the variety and whether you grew from seed or sets. I grow Ailsa Craig from sets and expect them to keep until May next year.

 

I grow about 200 sets (a couple of bags), very close together in a bed about 1 X 4 yards - I don't get massive bulbs. It doesn't seem like a lot.