Expert Tips: How to Harvest and Store Onions for Winter Freshness

Kyiv, Ukraine – As the harvest season approaches, home gardeners are seeking optimal methods for preserving their bounty. A recent online video by gardening enthusiast 𝐃𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐲𝐤 𝐔𝐀 offers timely advice on harvesting and storing onions to ensure they last through the winter months, potentially until March. The expert advises gardeners to monitor their onion plants closely. The ideal time for harvest is when the green tops of the onions naturally bend over and begin to dry. "It's crucial to pick them when they've started to dry out, but before heavy rains," the gardener explains. "Moisture can easily lead to rot if the onion tops are still open." The video demonstrates pulling the onions by their stems, emphasizing the importance of keeping the stem intact initially. Once harvested, the onions should be spread out in a dry, dark place, such as an attic, to cure. This drying process helps seal the neck of the onion, preventing moisture and fungal infections. For long-term storage, 𝐃𝐚𝐜hnyk 𝐔𝐀 suggests a traditional method: braiding the dried onions into 'kosi' or braids. "Even if the stem is thick, it will easily detach and seal once dry, preventing any fungus from entering," he notes. These braids can then be hung in a dark, dry location, allowing the onions to remain fresh and usable for many months.