- PunkRotten
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 1989
- Joined: Sat Apr 16, 2011 8:48 pm
- Location: Monterey, CA.
How/when to harvest onion bulbs?
This is my first time ever growing bulbing onions. I planted seeds of Candy and Red Bottle onions back in OCT. Not to long ago I notice they are starting to bulb up. I can recognize that a transition is about to occur. They look as though they are gonna fall over soon and they are starting to get some yellow/brown leaves. Should I cut back on watering? When? And for how long? How should I harvest and cure them? Tips are appreciated. Thanks
- jal_ut
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 7447
- Joined: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:20 pm
- Location: Northern Utah Zone 5
Generally the onion bulbs are partially out of the ground, You don't need to dig nor pull to see them. When the tops are looking as you say, maybe thinking about falling over, go ahead and smash them over. Lay them down as in this picture.
Now leave them like that until the tops dry up. Then pull the onions and leave them lay on top of the ground for a while longer to dry well. If the weather is wet, bring them in the garage and spread them out to dry. They need to dry well for storage. When dry cut the tops off and store them.
Also be advised that if you want an onion to eat, you can pull one anytime. Have fun!
Now leave them like that until the tops dry up. Then pull the onions and leave them lay on top of the ground for a while longer to dry well. If the weather is wet, bring them in the garage and spread them out to dry. They need to dry well for storage. When dry cut the tops off and store them.
Also be advised that if you want an onion to eat, you can pull one anytime. Have fun!