How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden

Starting in the second half of summer and ending in autumn, gardeners are actively immersed in the onion harvest. In addition to the fact that in the process of harvesting itself, certain rules must be observed, the bulbs must also be properly prepared before being stored. If you have an onion harvesting procedure ahead of you in the near future, then this article is just for you. From it you will learn how and when to pick onions correctly, how to dry onions, what methods exist for this.

Recommendations on how to harvest crops from the beds and how to dry onions after harvesting

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden: photo

Regardless of which type of onion you are growing, its full ripening occurs approximately 90-120 days after planting. Every gardener knows the signs of ripe onions: the feathers turn yellow, dry and fall on the ridge, the heads of the bulbs are covered with a thin, dryish, shiny peel, the color of which depends on the variety. These signs clearly indicate that the crop can be harvested.

Pay attention, if you find that the peel has become dark, has ceased to shine - you know, this signals that the crop is overexposed, and it needs to be harvested a long time ago.

Harvesting of onions is always carried out in sunny, fine weather, and, importantly, in dry weather. If it rains outside, it is strongly recommended to postpone the cleaning, to wait until dry, clear days come. It is worth noting that at the time of harvesting, not very wet soil is permissible, but it cannot be wet.

Harvesting onions is necessary using any tool convenient for you - be it a shovel or a pitchfork. The bulbs are buried in and raised with an earthy clod. This is done so as not to touch or damage the bottom (lower part of the bulb) with roots.

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden? step-by-step instruction

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden: photo

The next, very important step is drying the bulbs. Remember that well-dried bulbs are the key to long-term storage. By neglecting this step, you run the risk of being left without a bow. At this stage, you not only dry the onions, but also kill all germs, thereby disinfecting the bulbs.

This process allows you to avoid subsequently cervical rot and other sores, in addition, it significantly increases the keeping quality index.

Without preliminary drying of the onion, it is strictly forbidden to lay it for storage, this will entail a loss of harvest.

Please note that you need to dry not only the sets, but also the onions. The drying time is on average one to two weeks, depending on the primary state of the crop.

How to properly dry onion sets

If the weather pleases with fine, clear days, then drying the seedlings in the open air will last one to one and a half weeks. Onions are laid out in small layers on nets, preferably under the scorching rays of the sun, which will not only dry out, but also disinfect the crop. At night, the sevok is covered with oilcloth to avoid getting wet from dew.

The onions must be turned over to evenly dry the bulbs.

After the crop has dried, we cut off the already dried tops, sorting out the damaged material, as well as heads with incomplete scales.We remove the exfoliated husk from the rest, and divide by size (fractions).

The ideal planting material is considered to be sevok, the diameter of which is 1.5-2.5 centimeters. Selected bulbs are harvested in batches of a couple of kilograms into boxes or bags made of breathable fabric - this is necessary so that there is air access, the onions are not refracted, and with such volumes it is much more convenient to monitor the harvest. For additional disinfection, the bulbs are sprinkled with chalk. Store onions in a cool, and most importantly dry place. There, our crops will not dry out or start to rot.

During storage, it is very important to closely monitor the sevk. It must be sorted out once or twice a month, rejecting dried up and rotten material. If you do not inspect the onion, then by the time of sowing you run the risk of being left without planting material.

Features of drying onions

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden: photo

Unlike sets, onions can be dried in several ways - for example, they can be dried in braids, bunches, hanging on a veranda, under a canopy, etc., or laid out on nets, plywood, which in turn, in good weather, can be installed on garden bed, and when cloudy - indoors.

I would like to note that it is very convenient to dry onions on shell nets - since these nets allow air to pass from all sides, thus the onion does not need to be constantly turned over.

It is recommended to dry the onions under the scorching sun for the entire period. Or fry for a couple of days, and then drag it to a room where the temperature is at least 25 degrees, and there are also no problems with air circulation. Sheds, summer kitchens, verandas, sheds and other similar places are ideal for these purposes.

Onions are also laid out, preferably in one row, on all kinds of nets, grates, boxes, while the surface should be raised above the floor for air circulation. In this form, the onions are dried for one to two weeks, while turning them daily. As soon as you find that the necks of the bulbs, as well as the roots and scales, are dry, this signals that the onion is dry.

After that, the crop must be sorted out, sorting out the deformed, diseased, unripe heads - they are put into food as a priority. Healthy, large, beautiful, even heads are prepared for storage - the feathers are cut off, leaving a neck of about 5 centimeters. It is no longer possible to cut off, since this is the risk of a possible entry of pathogens, which provokes the development of the disease.

Storage of onions

Once the onion is dry, it is sorted by size. Then they are laid out in containers - vegetable nets, wooden or plastic boxes, various baskets, fabric bags, nylon tights, etc. Storage is carried out in a dark, dry place. Be sure to pick onions at least once a month.

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden: photo

If you plan to store the onions in braids, then the feathers are not cut off. The bulbs are woven into pigtails, for reliability they can be pulled with twine. Do not braid too long pigtails - they may not withstand the load and break. Also, do not tighten the heads too tightly, since ventilation is necessary between them - this minimizes the risk of crop rotting.

Onion braids are hung in closets, on the veranda, in the pantry, someone uses it as a decor and weighs in the kitchen - the main thing here is that the chosen place does not freeze in winter, since you can freeze the crop.

How is it recommended to dry onion seeds (nigella) after harvesting from the garden

Seed onions, also known as nigella, are dried in a dry, warm place. It is recommended to sprinkle it in a not thick layer on the nets and leave it to dry completely - only then it should be removed for storage. After complete drying, the nigella is scattered into small boxes and hidden in a cool place, with minimal lighting.

How to dry onions for the winter at home after harvesting from the garden

Besides the fact that the bulbs are dried whole, many also dry and store it in a shredded form.Thus, the dried onion will be immediately prepared for consumption, which makes this storage method quite convenient, which does not require further manipulation (peeling, cutting) during the cooking process. At home, drying onions is possible not only under the scorching sun, but also using electrical household appliances.

Before the crop is sent for drying, it is first cleaned, washed, and chopped in the usual way - rounds, half rings - as it is convenient for anyone. So that your workpieces dry quickly and well - the recommended cutting thickness is 2-5 mm.

Using the oven

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden: photo

In order for our chopped blanks to dry in the oven, parchment or any other baking base is laid on a baking sheet, and onions are laid out on it. We heat the appliance to 60 degrees, then put a baking sheet in it. Do not close the door completely; it remains ajar. So the onions should be dried for five to six hours, while not forgetting to stir.

After the time has elapsed, and our onions are thoroughly dry, they are transferred to containers (these can be fabric bags or boxes) - the main thing is that the container is breathable. After that, the onions are hidden in a dry, dark place.

Using an electric dryer

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden: photo

Many nowadays use electric dryers to dry not only vegetables, but also fruits and berries.

In this appliance, the onion dries at a temperature of 50-65 degrees for about 7 hours. After that, the crop is sent for storage in the same way as after drying in the oven.

Using the airfryer

This method is the fastest and also the most convenient when compared to other drying methods.

Thanks to the air grill, the onion is able to dry out in a record one hour, at a temperature of about 65-70 degrees, at the maximum speed.

How to dry onions outdoors

How to dry onions after harvesting from the garden: photo

The longest way to dry onions after harvesting from the garden is to dry them in the fresh air - this is done in the shade. The onions are chopped, then scattered in a small layer on the nets and left to dry. Every day, the onion needs to be stirred, allowing the air to come in, and wait until the onion is completely dry.

To use this method, dry onions is only suitable for clear, dry, warm weather. Once the onion is dry, it is recommended to store it in the same way as after drying in household electrical appliances.