Storing Onions
I heard or read somewhere (it might have been a comment on this site), that you can store onions by putting them in nylon stockings and tying a knot between each one. This gives them plenty of airflow so they won’t get moldy, and separates them so if one goes bad it doesn’t spread.
So, I tried it:
Here you see 5 “legs” of onions (queen size). I harvested 25 pounds of onions, so I figure each leg is about 5 pounds.
I cut the pair in two right up the middle, dropped in an onion, worked it to the bottom, tied a knot, and repeated until I couldn’t fit any more.
I hung them on my pantry door for a picture, but I’m actually storing them in the cool, dark basement so they will keep longer. When I need an onion, I take my scissors downstairs and cut one off the bottom.
By the way, I actually had to purchase nylons because I can’t remember the last time I wore a pair!
How many legs of onions did you harvest?
I’ve never tried it. But it works to keep them from squishing each other, and to keep them dry. If one starts getting soft or rotten, it’s separated from the others.
I have tried this it works great..
Does this work with more perishable onions like Vidalia, Texas Sweet, or other seasonal sweet onions?
September 1 to February 1 and I ran out of onions before they started to sprout or go bad. Okay, maybe 4 of the entire bunch went bad. My friend said that if she has onions that start to turn, she cuts them up and freezes them. That gives you another month or two.
I’m considering trying to grow onions this year. How long did your harvested onions last when stored this way?
Brilliant idea for small crops of onions. I think it has been around for a while, but your explanation and pic is great. Thanks
I saw in one of the restaurant here in our local area that they used onions as a decoration. They used onions to form various shapes and design. It was so good to look at.
That is SO smart Thank You for sharing this. I just started gardening last year and will use this and share your tip with others.
I know some long time gardners that will appriciate how SMART this is!
Thank You
This is a fantastic idea. I did this with my onions and they are so neat and easy to store. I expect to spread this idea to others. Thanks!
This is a hilarious photo. With a wife and 10 daughters, 5 still at home, I don’t think I could grow enough onions to fill all the nylons.
Now I have an excuse to build that next raised bed, more onions!
That is awesome! I don’t have a cool dark basement to store them in so I’m going to dehydrate them next week.