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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: markyb23 on September 04, 2005, 12:19:02

Title: storing onions and shallots
Post by: markyb23 on September 04, 2005, 12:19:02
Hi all,
         I've harvested all of my onions and shallots and I'm not sure about storing them.
The onions are a mixture of red and white,Sturon and Red Baron.Will they all store ok for a while?
  Also do you have to trim the roots and stems?
  I've let them dry out for a few days but I'm not sure what to do next.
  Any advice would be appreciated.
       Cheers-Marky.
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: terrace max on September 04, 2005, 13:23:09
While the sun is shining get them out to sunbathe - leaves and all - for a few days. I just lay them on a big tarpaulin.

When all the leaves are crispy dry you can make lovely onion ropes by platting them together. I say 'you can' because I just bung 'em in old banana boxes from the supermarket and stick them in the shed. They last well into spring if we don't eat them first!
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: TEL on September 04, 2005, 13:44:29
Hi
Ive grown the same as you but i never left them to dry of long enough & are rotting from the top.
Only 2oo to cook fast.
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: adrianhumph on September 04, 2005, 14:32:51
Hi Marky,  :D
                      You definitely need to dry them before storing,  I do not think that a few days is enough, they need 2 to 3 weeks of drying. Preferably in the sun but  indoors will do . I use a 3 tiered vegetable rack that I put out on dry days & put in the garage at night & when it is wet. Steal some tights from your wife / mother/ other half  :o  cut them into single legs , and  fill these with the onions then hang them up from the rafters in the garage . They should keep until next year without any bother.
                       Adrian.
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: tim on September 04, 2005, 15:28:14
And then rope them.
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: Roy Bham UK on September 04, 2005, 21:33:57
I tried to follow instructions for tying onions but failed miserably, so I just bunched them up and tied string round the lot, twil do for me. ;D

(http://img73.imageshack.us/img73/4914/onion13zj.jpg) (http://imageshack.us)
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: jennym on September 04, 2005, 22:26:28
I've found that Red Baron don't store as well as others I've grown, so would eat them first. Or perhaps it's just me?
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: markyb23 on September 05, 2005, 21:04:55
HI,
     thanks to you all for your helpful advice.I really appreciate it.
  All The Best-Marky.
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: chrispea27 on September 06, 2005, 07:04:57
 ;)I have found the same Jenny with the red onions, they do not seem to dry as well as the others
Title: Re: storing onions and shallots
Post by: zuenalan on September 08, 2005, 20:58:04
The lady on the allotment next to me stores hers in a pair of tight!!!  :o