Is it possible to store leeks and onions in the cellar or basement for the winter? What to grow in the basement? Growing onions for greens in the basement

The traditional time for onion harvesting is August-September. If a large crop is harvested and vegetables cannot be consumed immediately, gardeners think about its long-term storage. If you are also facing the same problem, learn how to store onions at home so that they lie without spoiling until spring.

The basic rule for storing turnips is that they must be completely ripe and dry. Therefore, it is removed from the beds only when the bulbs are fully formed. A guideline for the fact that this happened is the massive yellowing and lodging of the feather. Onion heads that can already be harvested take on the shape and size characteristic of the variety. The necks become dry and thin, as well as the integumentary scales. An unripe and standing onion in the beds is not suitable for storage.

It is desirable to harvest onions on sunny and dry days. If there are heavy or prolonged rains, you need to wait until the weather improves. In order not to damage the roots, do not pull the plants out of the ground, but dig them up with a shovel or fork. Shake off the soil from the roots.

How to dry

When all the onions have been harvested, spread them out in an even layer on the beds to dry. Leave it there for a week to completely dry out. The sun's rays will not only dry the onion, but also disinfect it. Turn the vegetables daily, cover the bulbs at night with a film to protect them from night dew.

If the weather outside is rainy, you will have to dry the vegetables in a warm and dry, well-ventilated room. Lay them out in a thin layer on the fabric in:

• shed;
• attic
• summer kitchen;
• veranda;
• free room.

Drying time is approximately 1-2 weeks. You can determine that the vegetable has dried up by the integumentary scales, which should become dry, shiny and rustling. When turning the heads, they should give in freely and easily. If this occurs with effort, drying should be continued. After drying, cut off too long roots and dry tops, leaving no more than 5 cm from the necks. If you are thinking of storing the heads in braids, the tops should be left.

How to sort

After drying, sort out the onions. For storage, leave only completely healthy, clean, without traces of diseases and damage by pests, with tight-fitting scales, vegetables. Set the rest aside and use it for cooking first.

It is also advisable to sort those selected for storage by size: it is better to save large and medium ones separately from small ones.

And finally, separate the sweet varieties of onions from the sharp ones, which themselves lie much longer.

Where to store onions at home or in an apartment in winter

There are 2 ways to store this vegetable in winter - warm and cold. Accordingly, the 1st method involves saving vegetables in a warm room: an apartment or a house. The temperature in this case should not exceed 22 ° C, and humidity - 60-70%. At temperatures and humidity above this value, the onion will begin to germinate and quickly deteriorate. Both at home and in the apartment, you can use the following methods.

boxes

If there are a lot of onions, small plastic or wooden boxes can be a suitable container for it. They are breathable, easy to install one on top of the other, thereby saving space in the room.

wicker baskets

Vine baskets are also suitable for storage. Air will also flow well to the bulbs laid in them, but it will not work to install them one on top of the other, which is a minus of this storage method.

Carton boxes

Large, sturdy cardboard boxes, such as banana boxes, can also be used to store onions. There are already holes in them, you can do a few more so that air circulation is better.

Stockings or pantyhose

This old tried and true method works if you have a pantry or other space where onion-filled tights can be hung from the walls or from the ceiling. In your home, they can be placed in the hallway if it is warm enough.

Bow braids

Another old way is to weave braids. In them, vegetables are stored no worse than in various containers. They are hung on the walls or hung from the ceiling in the same pantries, corridors or in warm utility rooms.

Grids

Ordinary vegetable nets of small size (up to 10 kg) are ideal for storing this type of vegetable. They are very light, breathable, they can be stacked one on top of the other and it is easy to observe the condition of the stored product.

Paper bags and cloth bags

Both packages and bags perfectly pass air, but do not let light through, so you can keep small onions and sets in such a container. The main thing is not to pour too much onion into them, it is enough that each contains about 2-3 kg.

From the video you can learn tips when it's time to harvest onions, how to keep them until spring in the apartment.

How can you store onions in a cellar or basement for a long time

Residents of private houses can store onions in underground storage facilities, but only if they are dry and equipped with a hood. A damp cellar is not suitable for storing these vegetables - in a cold, damp place, the vegetable may begin to rot. The temperature in the cellar should not rise above 0-3°C, humidity - above 60-70%.

You can put the bulbs in wooden or plastic boxes, nets, baskets. It is not necessary to fill the container to the top, you should leave room for air circulation. For the same reason, it is not recommended to place boxes or nets on the storage floor - it is better to put them on racks or wooden pallets.

If there is not much onion, and there is enough space in the cellar, you can simply lay it out on the shelves in a thin layer.

To disinfect onions, you can sprinkle them with crushed chalk or ash (200 g for every 10 kg of vegetables), and to reduce humidity, put containers with lime or small chips in the cellar, or scatter them on the floor. The accumulated husk should also not be thrown away - it protects the vegetable well from waterlogging.

Whatever way you choose to save onions, regularly (at least once a month) review and sort out the vegetable in order to detect rotten, sprouted, soft or shrunken ones in a timely manner.

Remove and discard them without hesitation, otherwise the rest of the bow will suffer. However, sprouted bulbs, if they are hard enough, can be used for forcing greens.

Damp, but a whole vegetable and the container in which it was lying, you need to dry it again, and ventilate the cellar, then return the vegetables to their place. If everything is done correctly, the bow will lie until the onset of spring, and some especially successful specimens until the summer.

How to store peeled onions in the refrigerator

For vegetables in the refrigerator there is a special compartment in which you need to keep the vegetable. In it, it is remarkably preserved, the only “but” is that the box for vegetable products is small and cannot accommodate a large number of heads.

You can increase the volume of onions stored in the refrigerator by peeling them, washing them, placing them in a large container and pouring cold water to the top. Water will need to be changed every day or at least 1 time in a couple of days.

Anyone, even a novice gardener, can save onions until spring. Choose any of the recommended methods or several at once and your vegetables throughout the winter will remain as fresh and tasty as fresh from the garden.

Onions are one of the most popular crops that all gardeners grow, regardless of the climate zone or rainfall. After harvesting, the problem often arises with the storage of onions.

Faced with the problem of spoiled products, the owners are wondering: how to properly store onions in order to avoid losses? This is what will be discussed in our article.

How to prepare and dry onions for long-term storage

Oddly enough, but timely harvested and properly dried onions will be well stored even in adverse conditions, so the preparation of onions for long-term storage should be done long before they are harvested.

Often, gardeners are faced with the fact that root crops do not gain the required mass by the time they are harvested. This problem can be solved in several ways:

1. bending the green to the ground. This method gives the onion the opportunity to spend energy not on the green part, but on increasing the reserves in the root crop. Gardeners are advised to bend down the greens in June-July, depending on the climate.
2. Root cutting or bulb exposure. This method helps the plant understand that all the energy needs to be spent on the accumulation of nutrients in the bulb. 14-15 days before harvest, the onion roots are lightly trimmed. If you are afraid of harming the plant or the bulb sits too tightly in the ground, then you just need to rake the soil, exposing the root crop. After this procedure, you can not water the onions, otherwise you risk collecting rotten products. Do not forget that you need to expose the bulb only in dry weather.

Did you know? Sweet varieties of onions are grown only in the southern regions. They taste great and give a good harvest, but they are poorly stored and unsuitable for long-term transportation.

Now let's talk about harvesting and proper drying.

It is necessary to collect the root crop only in dry weather. Harvested in rainy weather, the onion dries for a very long time and may begin to rot. The root crop at the time of collection must be fully formed: the scales are colored red or its shades, the outer layers are dry and easily move away from the fruit, the greens are completely dry.

Novice gardeners are often interested in the question: when is the best time to harvest onions so that they are well stored. Depending on the climatic zone, onions are harvested either in mid-late August or in September. In order not to damage the root crop, it is carefully dug up and slightly pulled by the tops. After harvesting, immediately begin drying.

Important! Damaged or rotten onions should not be put to dry with the bulk of root crops. Rejected bulbs are either thrown away or eaten as soon as possible.

There are two ways to dry onions: in the garden or under a canopy. If you are confident that warm, dry weather will prevail over the next two weeks, then dug up root crops can be left in the beds. Otherwise, the onion is laid out under covered canopies that will protect the onion from rain. Canopies should be well ventilated, dry and spacious.

The question often arises: how long do you need to dry onions to get rid of unnecessary moisture.

It all depends on the weather in which you collected the onion, on the room, on the ambient temperature and on the onion itself. On average, onions are dried for about two weeks. However, if the soil was wet or the weather was wet outside, then the drying period can reach 25-30 days.

The main points to consider when drying onions.

1. During drying, the onions are laid out in one thin layer to speed up the process.
2. Before drying, the onions are carefully cleaned of the earth and plant residues (no need to cut the roots or tops).
3. During drying, the onion must be turned over several times to prevent rotting of the lower part.
4. A few weeks after the start of drying, the onion is cut off (the tops are cut off, leaving a neck 4-5 cm long). The roots are lightly pruned to prevent the root crop from germinating.
5. After trimming, the onions are sorted and sorted. A hard onion of bright red color without visible damage goes into storage.

Important! While drying the onions, it is necessary to exclude the ingress of moisture or debris on the root crops.

What varieties of onions are best stored

Now let's talk about the best onion varieties for storage. It is no secret that breeders have bred many varieties of crops for various needs: to get a large number of seeds, a huge yield, a heavy green part or a specific taste. The attention of breeders was also attracted by the keeping quality of the products, so we have the opportunity to choose several varieties that are perfectly stored, retaining their structure and taste.

Did you know? Spicy varieties of onions contain a large amount of essential oils and sugars, which determine the sharpness of the root crop.

A variety of early ripe blue onions. Root crops have the correct shape and weigh up to 150 g. Onions are used both for cooking various dishes and for preservation.

The root vegetable has a sharp taste, so it is also great for marinades. After proper collection and drying, root crops are perfectly stored in any dry room.

Strigunovsky local.

An early ripe variety of yellow onion. Grows in both hot and cool climates. The bulbs are round in shape and weigh up to 80 g. The flesh of the root crop is very sharp. It is used both for preservation and for the preparation of various dishes.

Important! All spicy onion varieties are early maturing and store well. Root crops of such varieties are covered with several layers of outer scales.

Sturon.

Mid-season variety of yellow onion. Variety "Sturon" has several features: it is resistant to bolting and diseases. The bulbs are round, dense, painted in golden color. The root crop has a mass of 90-140 g and has a spicy taste. Bows are versatile in use. Root crops are perfectly stored without losing their shape and dense structure.

Hybrid mid-early variety of yellow onion. The hybrid has the same features as the Sturon variety. The flesh of the bulb is juicy, white, has a sharp taste.

The root crop is round-elongated, weighs about 80-140 g. Like the above varieties, it has a universal use.

It is important to understand that these varieties can also rot if they are not harvested correctly or dried poorly.

At what temperature to store onions

Many owners are interested in the temperature at which onions are stored in winter. After drying, the onions must be collected and transferred to another place for long-term storage. In the allotted room, it is necessary to create a special microclimate that will not allow vegetables to freeze, rot or germinate.

Did you know? Crushed fresh onions are applied to burns to relieve pain and prevent blistering. The root crop not only provides the necessary moisture in the damaged area, but also destroys microbes around the burn.

The shelf life of onions directly depends on the temperature, so we will consider several possible options.

There are three ways to store root vegetables:

• cold;
• warm;
• combined.

Cold storage involves a decrease in temperature to -3 ˚С. With such storage, onion losses are minimal, but maintaining a constant temperature is quite difficult, and minimal fluctuations can ruin the entire crop (if the room temperature drops to minus 4-5 ˚С, the onion will freeze).

This method is suitable for specialized hangars, in which the exact temperature is maintained with the help of control systems.

warm way involves storing onions at a sufficiently high temperature (+ 18-22 ˚С). Such a temperature can be maintained at no additional cost in the house, but it is worth remembering that the humidity should be at least 60-70%. Such a microclimate can cause blackening of the walls or damage to furniture, so it is best to install heaters in the basement or cellar and move the bow there. Use containers of water to increase humidity.

Many owners are interested in the question of how to store onions so that they do not germinate. Root crops germinate only when there is an excess of moisture in the room. Therefore, if you notice that the onion has begun to sprout, lower the humidity.

Combined method differs in its complexity, but allows you to save products with minimal losses. Before the onset of cold weather, onions are stored indoors at a temperature of 18-20 ˚С, while maintaining an air humidity of 60-70%.

When the temperature outside the window becomes negative, the onion is slowly cooled (over several days) and stored at a temperature of minus 1-3 ˚С. In the spring, when frosts pass, the onions are transferred to a warm room and stored at a temperature of at least +18 ˚С.

Important! Onions do not like sudden changes in temperature, so before moving from warm to cold (and vice versa), you need to create some kind of "buffer" zone with average temperatures.

Subject to all the rules, root crops can be stored for 200 or more days after storage.

Rules and methods for storing onions in the cellar

The possibility of heating the room makes it possible to store onions in the cellar for a long time. However, it is impossible to simply spread the root crops on the surface, otherwise they may rot. Therefore, we will consider the options for containers for storing onions and talk about what pros and cons it has.

For storing onions, you can use boxes with a large bottom area and a small height of the sides. You need to put onions in them with a layer of no more than 50 cm (respectively, the height of the box should be no more than 60 cm). Such storage containers save space, but it is worth remembering that the boxes should not come into contact with the floor and walls of the cellar. They can be placed on shelves or benches. Onions should be stored in boxes if you have little space in the cellar or a lot of products.

The problem of storage in boxes is that the roots on the bottom of the container can choke and start to rot. You can find out about this only by smell or by unloading all the containers. Boxes also have a positive side.

The main advantage of such a container for storage is rot will not spread outside of the crate (unless they are next to each other).

When using boxes for long-term storage of onions, we recommend checking the quality of the product at least once a month to avoid rotting a large number of onions.

Linen bags

Linen bags can also be used to store onions in the winter. You need to use small bags, because the less products they contain, the less chance that it will choke or become moldy.

The benefits of using bags include:

• cheapness;
• capacity;
• average strength;
• possibility of reuse.

There are a lot of downsides to this container as well. If the onion starts to rot in the bag, then you will not be able to see it without pouring out all the contents. In addition, if the bag is “put”, then the lower bulbs will choke.

You can place bags in only one layer, because, unlike boxes, they do not have support and the entire mass presses on the lower layer of root crops.

Thus, it is best to store in bags a small amount of products that will be in them for a short time.

Important! It is forbidden to use plastic bags, as they do not allow air to pass through and accumulate moisture.

Nylon stockings or tights

Many housewives keep onions in tights (stockings). Oddly enough, this method of storage is not as bad as it seems: stockings pass air well and absorb moisture; in addition, through pantyhose, you can see the quality of the bulbs and promptly discard the rotten ones.

On a small scale, this storage method is not bad, but if you have several centners of onions, then the stockings will not be enough for half the production. Also, do not forget that the stockings can tear.

Therefore, the use of stockings is possible only for storing a small amount of root crops.

egg containers

This method of storage is only suitable for small and medium onions. Root crops are laid out in containers like eggs, closed and placed on racks. You can use containers only if you have a lot of space in the cellar or few products. Onions in containers are not protected from rotting, but one rotten onion will not destroy a hundred, so this method minimizes losses.

Important! It is better to use semi-open containers made of plastic or rubber. It is forbidden to take paper packages (they accumulate moisture and quickly decompose).

The disadvantages of such a container include poor air circulation between the root crops and condensate, which will form under the lid of the container and lead to rotting of the bulbs.

Knitted or braided

Remembering the various options for how to store onions, it is worth remembering the old-fashioned method - braid weaving. If you decide to weave the bulbs into braids, then at the drying stage you cannot cut the tops.

Knitting braids takes a lot of time. You will immediately need to think about how to hang all this in the cellar so that the braids do not touch each other, walls or floors.

The advantages of this method include good air circulation, no unnecessary load on each fruit (as is the case with boxes or bags) and the ability to control the quality of the bulbs.

However, it is worth considering that, as in the case of stockings, the tops do not have high strength and are vulnerable to decay. Therefore, with an increase in humidity, all the “braids” can end up on the floor and quickly deteriorate.

How to store onions in the apartment

Let's talk about how to store onions at home. Many owners do not have large cellars or basements, and the collected onions need to be stored somewhere in the winter. Therefore, we will consider possible options for containers for storing root crops in an apartment.

wicker baskets

If you have several wicker baskets at home, then it is better to store onions in them. The holes in the basket will prevent the onions from spoiling, as good air circulation will be created. The material of the basket itself will not affect the root crops in any way.

The only disadvantage of such a container is the pressure on the bottom layer. If you overdo it and put too many onions in the basket, then just crush the roots on the bottom and they will start to rot.

Holes in the basket can have a negative effect: pests or water can easily enter through them to the onion.

Plastic or wooden crates

As in the case of the cellar, boxes can also be useful when stored in an apartment. Using such a container, you can save a huge amount of space, but do not forget that the lack of dampness does not mean that the bow will not rot from crushing or poor ventilation.

Did you know? The reason for such tearing onions lies in a special substance - lachrymator. When the bulb is cut, the lachrymator is released and dissolved in water and, in particular, in human tears. This produces sulfuric acid, which irritates the mucous membrane of the eye.

Carton boxes

Onions for the winter can be put in ordinary cardboard boxes, but storing a vegetable in such a container is not the best option. Boxes are not only poorly breathable, but can also get wet or torn. In addition, as in boxes, pressure is created on the lower layer of root crops.

If you decide to store the onions in cardboard boxes, then make a large number of small holes on all sides to ensure minimal access to fresh air.

Polypropylene nets

Such containers are often used to store onions in large supermarkets. Polypropylene nets provide good air circulation and allow you to see spoiled products in time. If such containers cannot be used in the cellar, then high humidity does not threaten the onion in the apartment, and the mesh is one of the best options.

However, it is worth remembering that only the outermost layer of the bow will be visible to you through the net. If there are rotten roots in the center of the bag, then in order to sort out and remove the spoiled one, you need to pour out the entire bag. Therefore, either use small bags or carefully check the product before filling.

Cloth or paper bags

Fabric and paper bags are used to store onions in an apartment only if there are no other options. In such a bag, you will not be able to see spoiled root crops, there is always pressure on the bottom layer and poor air circulation. If you settled on this option, then try to choose smaller bags or pack the onion so that its height in the bag is no more than 30 cm.

Stockings or pantyhose

If no one sees such a “container” in the basement, then the stockings with onions hanging in the apartment not only look strange and give a persistent smell, but also take up a lot of space. Stockings are still a good option, if you do not take into account the aesthetic appearance. They absorb moisture and allow air to circulate between the bulbs.

Important! When storing onions in an apartment, containers should not be placed near heating appliances or windows.

Knitted or braided

Perhaps one of the best options for storing onions in an apartment. A braided "braid" can be placed in a closet or closet (make sure that the room is dry). The bow does not come into contact with the floor, it receives fresh air, there is no pressure on the bulbs.

At any time, you can inspect for the presence of rotten bulbs or take one head for cooking.

The negative side is the large time spent on "knitting"; low strength of the "braid".

Little tricks for long-term storage of onions

WITH There are many ways to help keep onions from getting wet or sprouting. Using our tips, you can save the entire crop without loss.

1. Chalk absorbs moisture very well, therefore, when storing onions in a cellar or other damp room, add 200 g of chalk per 10 kg of products to a container with root crops.
2. Clay or lime helps to stop onion sprouting. If the root crops began to germinate, you need to cut the roots and coat them with clay or a solution of lime. It must be remembered that such a bow will be unsuitable in the form of planting material.
3. Raw onions can be dried using an oven, fireplace or battery. To dry vegetables in the oven, you need to spread them out in one thin layer, turn on the minimum and leave the door open. When the husk on the onion becomes dry and can be easily separated, drying can be completed.
4. You can reduce the humidity in the room by installing buckets of ash or sand. These materials perfectly absorb moisture and can be reused.

Did you know? Onions contain more natural sugar than apples and pears. Onion slices contain 6% sugar. 52 times already
helped

Meanwhile, different varieties of turnip differ not only in taste, pungency and color, but also differ in the properties of the best preservation.

keeping quality

This angular specific term defines the property of the harvested vegetables and fruits to maintain their qualities and appearance.

As for onions, the keeping quality is genetically inherent in the variety.

The most suitable for storage are late spicy varieties, the least - early sweet ones, including the famous red Yalta onion.

The latter should be used first, in the third month of storage they will begin to germinate and deteriorate.

yellow bow

The most popular representative of the onion family. Actually, the bulbs themselves are white, but their thin skin-husk has a yellowish-brown color.

The bulk of the varieties of this species is considered the most spicy, but after cooking the spiciness softens, and the aroma comes first.

Keeps longer than others. Under favorable conditions, it can lie for about six months, and in some cases until the next harvest.

white bow

Very popular in Spain and Latin America.

Usually larger than yellow, the white skin is thick like wax paper.

It is considered salad, but you can also store it.

True, the “pale-faced” is more demanding on such conditions as the dryness of the room. The terms directly depend on the variety, for example, the late-ripening Snowball is easily stored for 6 months, and the early-ripening White King variety is not stored for a long time, although it does not taste as spicy.

Red onion

The most popular sweet is called "Crimean", "Yalta", "pink", "purple". It has the most delicate, sweetish taste. In Crimea, thanks to the climate and peculiarities of economic traditions, they know how to save it until the next season.

Unfortunately, the shelf life of Yalta under normal conditions does not exceed 2 months. But there are other varieties of red that lie well until spring.

Winter types of red onions are sweeter.

Ready for storage

The first step to preparation is carried out right in the garden.

For dug out bulbs, the fringe of the rhizomes and the dried “forelocks” of the stems should be cut off, leaving a process of about two fingers.

Remove the trimmings in compost (a very useful component).

Do your pre-screening here. Set aside the onion that has been shot, soft, empty, touched by a shovel or pitchfork for immediate use and processing in spicy preservation. You can make delicious

Conditioned bulbs in good dry weather, leave on the ground to dry out until night (before dew falls). After transfer to the prepared room.

If it is damp and rainy in the yard, spread the crop immediately under a canopy on straw. But this will not save you from damp air, the bulbs will accumulate atmospheric moisture, some of them will inevitably germinate or begin to rot. It is better not to rush to the garden with a shovel and not take risks, but look at the long-term forecast and wait with the collection until fine days come.

At the same time, it should be remembered that overripe onions of any variety will not be stored for a long time. And this rule applies to . To start cleaning on time, it is recommended to keep a diary, write down the date of planting. It is necessary to harvest the crop in accordance with the ripening time. If there is no personal experience yet, refer to the recommendations on the forums of gardeners in your region.

Before that, let's get ready for storage.

How to store onions in the cellar in winter?

The best place to store onions after harvesting is the cellar (basement).

Based on the expected volume, prepare special racks ahead of time: durable lattice shelves with high breathable sides.

It is better to make a rack from a metal corner, shelves - from a wooden beam with slots to ensure unhindered air circulation.

The load on the sidewalls of the shelves will be minimal, they can be covered with a fine-mesh plastic mesh or burlap. For ease of access, you can make the sidewalls folding.

We don't paint, we whiten!

Wooden parts should not be painted. The coating will provide the structure with protection against mold, but in this case a different solution is needed. The smell of paint or drying oil can easily be absorbed into the bow. From the fungus, it is customary to preserve the tree in the cellars with slaked lime whitewash. No other chemicals or antifungal agents should be used in storage.

Remember the smell

Another condition: arrange onion racks as far as possible from shelves and boxes with other vegetables or fruits stored indoors. Apples, which are also possible in cellars, as we know, with an onion flavor will not please anyone, and it will no longer be possible to rid the fruits of a persistent foreign smell.

Ideally, a separate odor-free sector with good ventilation is required.

Iterate over

In autumn and winter, do not be too lazy to sort out your onion treasures in the cellar 2-3 times. This procedure will greatly extend the shelf life of supplies. The heavy “onion spirit” will tell you about its long overdue need. Its appearance should not be allowed: "spirit" means that the bulbs on the shelves begin to rot.

Set aside the worrisome "turnips" in a separate box for use in the coming days.

Take a dozen or two sprouted bulbs into the house and put them in jars of water on the windowsill.

Or even plant in the ground in a container.

For a few days, they will provide you with green shoots for a fresh vitamin salad.

Long term storage conditions

Ventilation, lack of dampness and sunlight - these are the three pillars on which the success of storing any vegetables is based.

Before laying on the rack, the onion should be cleaned of lumps of dried earth, sorted out and discarded “turnips” with damage.

The layer of root crops on the shelf should not exceed 30-50 cm, so as not to impede the movement of air currents.

It is important to know at what temperature to store onions. Indicators should not fall below 0°С and exceed + 5°С. Frozen onions lose their "marketable" appearance and useful properties. In addition, low temperature weakens the resistance of the bulbs to diseases caused by putrefactive bacteria.

Short-term exposure to low temperatures on the taste of onions has an excellent effect - it becomes sweeter. But it should be eaten in the near future - this will not lie for a long time.

The elevated temperature of the bulb is perceived as a signal for germination. Their internal structure changes irreversibly, forming sprouts. But without the sun, a full-fledged metabolism of plants is impossible, they begin to collapse and rot. This process gives rise to that very unpleasant “onion spirit”.

How to store onions in winter at home?

In private houses, cellars and basements are usually provided, which cannot be said about apartments in high-rise buildings.

Of course, you cannot make strategic stocks of onions in urban conditions.

Even if there are mezzanines and a pantry, where it has long been customary to store onions in an apartment, it is impossible to place them in impressive batches, as in a cellar.

The temperature and concentration of fumes will not allow.

The bow should be concentrated. As a container, prepare:

• wicker baskets (they are environmentally friendly, wonderfully breathable);
• shallow wooden boxes (plastic ones are worse, but possible);
• cardboard boxes (make holes for ventilation);
• loose linen bags (small in size: in overall bales, the bottom layer of the onion will certainly rot);
• paper bags (put a little onion);
• propylene nets for storing vegetables (excellent ventilation, convenient to inspect and detect specimens that are close to spoilage in time).

Another way to properly store onions in an apartment is familiar to everyone - to keep them on a glazed balcony, but only if the temperature allows.

Can onions be stored in the refrigerator? Of course you can! This is a great place in the apartment - there are simply ideal conditions, but there is not much even in the largest unit.

Let's not let the harvest go to waste!

If, when inspecting stocks, you find suspicious onions, collect them in a company, carefully remove the damaged specimens and plant them on a feather.

If you do not need green onions, just peel, finely chop and send to the freezer. Such a semi-finished product is very convenient - defrost and add to a pot or pan, for example, for cooking.

Attention!

After freezing, onions are suitable only for thermally processed dishes.

Comfortable and original

In the markets, onions are often sold twisted into braids-garlands. They are hung in the draft of cool attics, in basements, and an improvised pigtail is right in the kitchen. It is very convenient to cut off an onion or two as needed.

Such bundles fill the air with phytoncides that kill bacteria.

In order for decorative onion braids to please you longer, the air temperature in the kitchen should not exceed 25 ° C.

If you decide to weave the braids yourself, do not cut off the tops of the bulb, but start the weaving process when the tail is still elastic. Heads of garlic can also be woven - onions and garlic can be stored together if used this way.

Another popular storage method. Place the bulbs in worn nylon stockings or pantyhose. Create an individual “box” for each bulb, separating it with a tightly tied string from the previous and next. To use, cut off the bulbs, as in a pigtail.

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Not all gardeners and gardeners know the answer to the question of whether onions can be stored in the cellar without losing their taste. Many believe that onion crops are not suitable for keeping in basements and cellars, because the air is too humid for them. More common is the storage of these root crops in the winter in a private house or apartment. However, this is possible if you strictly follow all the simple rules of storage in the cellar. The safety of the crop and how long the vegetable will remain fresh and fragrant directly depend on this.

In the conditions of an apartment, when in winter the rooms are always dry and warm, it is also not always possible to save the root crop. Quite often, the bulbs dry out for no clear reason. Or, on the contrary, they begin to rot and they cannot be kept even until the onset of winter. You should understand in detail how to store onions in the winter at home.

How to store onions in the winter in the cellar?

It is worth listening to the advice of gardeners and gardeners who believe that all stages of agricultural technology influence the keeping quality of onion crops. It is important not only to observe the time periods, conditions and temperature of storing the crop in the basement, it is also imperative to plant seeds in a timely manner, grow onions correctly and harvest them on time. A significant factor influencing the shelf life in the cellar is the proper preparation of vegetables before they are placed in storage.

Not all varieties of onions are equally well kept. There are salad varieties that are unsuitable for this. And there are those that can lie for several months without losing their taste and nutritional qualities. Before storing onions in the cellar, you should take care of the proper selection of varieties in advance.

Yellow varieties are considered more resistant and undemanding to the conditions of detention. They have a dense shell and a sharp taste, determined by the high content of essential oils. A vegetable of white and red flowers is stored worse and should be eaten first. Tender and sweet pulp is more susceptible to various diseases.

The most popular and acceptable for laying in the cellar are the following varieties:

• 1. Stuttgarter Risen. The most popular early maturing German breeding variety. The onion is flat-rounded, weighing 120-150 g, with a spicy taste. The husk has a golden brown hue. The variety is unpretentious, resistant to powdery mildew and keeps well.
• Sturon. Unpretentious variety of Dutch selection. Fruit weight up to 200 g. The bulb is oval, the scales are dense, golden with pronounced longitudinal stripes, the flesh has a light greenish color. The onion aroma is pronounced, the taste is spicy.
• Orion. The variety is the result of the efforts of English breeders. Yellow, round, early ripening bulbs weighing about 150-200 g. It has time to ripen in a short time, therefore it is common in the northern regions. The lightness is excellent.
• Centurion. A hybrid of the Dutch selection, with bulbs of an elongated shape with a dense structure and an orange shell. Fruit weight from 90 to 100 g. Taste of medium sharpness. It is disease resistant and keeps well.

Among the wide variety of varieties of this crop available on the market, you can pick up other options that can be stored in cellars for quite a long time.

How to prepare onions for wintering?

Storage of onions in the cellar has its own characteristics that must be considered. Not every basement meets these requirements:

• The cellar or basement should be spacious. Onion crops are not laid out in thick layers, so they quickly deteriorate.
• The room will need to be regularly ventilated.
• Temperatures should not drop to minus values.

Preparing for storage starts with the correct harvesting procedure. It consists of the following steps:

• About 25-30 days before harvesting, watering is stopped so that the root crop does not gain too much moisture.
• Only fully ripe crops are harvested. Overripe and unripe onions lie poorly in the cellar.
• Pick a dry and sunny day for cleaning.
• The bulbs do not need to be strongly pulled by the tops. They need to be dug a little, trying not to damage the bottom, and then carefully pulled out of the ground. It is forbidden to hit the onion heads against each other, shaking off the ground, as they can be damaged.
• The entire crop must be sorted out. Only well-ripened, healthy and strong specimens are suitable for storage in the cellar. They will keep better. Damaged, diseased and suspicious bulbs are discarded.
• Drying is carried out. This can be done by spreading vegetables in 1 layer under a canopy in a dry, warm enough, well-ventilated place. This process needs 10-14 days. If the weather is rainy and damp, then the heads can be dried in the oven (at the minimum temperature). A properly dried bulb has a dense neck and well-exfoliated outer scales.
• In dried heads, the roots are cut off (without affecting the bottom) and leaves (leaving no more than 5-6 cm). The tops can be left uncut if it is intended to tie the bow into bunches or braids.

Onion sets are harvested at about the same time, following a similar technology. It can be stored in the cellar along with the rest of the crop.

Optimal storage conditions for onions

Onions can be stored in cellars and cellars, but this will require sufficiently harsh storage conditions:

• The optimum air temperature in the cellar should be around +1…+3°C. Higher values ​​cause the vegetable to grow. When it drops to minus values, freezing of the fruits will occur and, as a result, their subsequent decay.
• Strict requirements are imposed on air humidity - from 75 to 90%. At high humidity, the onions start to grow and release roots, which greatly impairs their taste and table qualities. With low humidity in the cellar, vegetables begin to dry out.

An important condition is good ventilation of the room and the use of special containers for storing onions. It is necessary to periodically check the condition of vegetables, sort them out, and discard dried and rotten bulbs. The humidity of its storage must be constantly monitored.

If it suddenly becomes too wet and the onion is slightly damp, then the crop is removed from the cellar and dried. It is recommended to sprinkle the heads with crushed chalk, which will absorb excess moisture (based on 10 kg of vegetable - 200 g of chalk). Onions should be stored in the cellar by sorting them into varieties. It is necessary to use early and low-lying vegetables first.

It is recommended to lay vegetables in the cellar or basement for the winter using any of the following methods:

1. The heads are contained in slatted wooden or plastic (less preferred) boxes. They should be covered with a layer of no more than 40 cm. The boxes should not be placed on the floor and moved to the walls of the cellar.
2. Bulbs can be poured into wide wicker baskets (they will have good ventilation). Baskets must be placed on stands.
3. It is allowed to keep vegetables in tight linen bags. It is recommended to use small bags and fill them with a layer of onions no more than 30 cm. Do not place vegetables in plastic bags, because they suffocate and rot there.
4. Root crops are perfectly stored in special polypropylene nets designed for vegetables. Through a large mesh, each bulb is clearly visible.
5. You can use nylon tights (or stockings) as an alternative to household nets. They are hung from hooks on the ceiling of the cellar.
6. Some gardeners and gardeners use egg containers, the nests of which are filled with heads. Then the containers are placed on the racks.
7. The best option is to store the vegetable in braided knittings (braids). They are also suspended from the ceiling without touching each other.

Not only in the basement or cellar, but also in the insulated (capital) garage, it will not be difficult to keep onion crops in the winter months. You just need to remember that vegetables absorb all unpleasant odors and harmful gases.

Causes of rot and how to avoid it

Quite often it happens that when stored in the cellar, the root crop begins to deteriorate and smell extremely unpleasant. Before storing onions during the cold winter months in the basement, you should be aware of what troubles can lie in wait for them. During harvesting, there may be no signs of the disease, but when kept in the cellar in winter, they appear.
Onion crops are susceptible to the following diseases:

1. Neck rot. First, gray mycelium appears at the neck, then black dots are added to it on the surface of the vegetable. Then the whole bulb rots, starting from the top.
2. Bacterial rot. The head begins to rot from the inside. If it is cut in half, then it will be clearly visible on the cut that some of the inner layers are affected by rot. At the same time, they are interspersed with healthy ones.
3. Fusarium. This bacterial lesion is also called bottom rot. The first signs are expressed in the appearance of a white bacterial coating at the roots of the onion, which then affects the entire root crop.

The process of decay may be the result of the penetration of insect pest larvae (stem nematode, root mite) into the vegetable.

When the first alarming signs of the disease appear, the entire crop stored in the cellar should be immediately sorted out. All diseased specimens are removed and thrown out, since they can infect other root crops. In order not to lose the harvest, the preparation of the bulbs before laying in the cellar should be given the closest attention. It is extremely important to observe storage conditions, maintain the required level of temperature and humidity in the cellar or basement, and also keep vegetables in containers that pass air well.

• soaking sevka and seeds in a solution of potassium permanganate before planting;
• properly organized crop rotation (you can not plant onion crops in one place more than 1 time in 4-5 years);
• the use of repellent folk remedies (tobacco dust, wood ash, infusion of garlic and shag).

Finally

To the question of whether it is possible to store onions in the cellar, an unequivocal positive answer is given. The crop of onion crops is perfectly stored in the basement throughout the winter months, with strict observance of the required conditions of detention.

Green onions are deservedly considered the most popular greens in the autumn-winter period. Remember how in childhood we grew it on the windowsill in jars. But if you want to build your own business growing green onions, jars are no longer enough.
Onion greens can give a very good profit. Sometimes profitability reaches 400-700%, but for this you need to work hard. Although there is nothing fundamentally complicated in this.

Ideally, green onions should be grown or expelled in heated and light greenhouses. Growing or forcing green onions in a greenhouse is a topic for a separate article, so now I will focus on how to get greens in a basement, cellar or garage. When I myself decided to start my own green onion forcing business, I ran into a problem: I don’t have money for a greenhouse! Then I seriously thought about my cellar.

So, my cellar or basement, in my opinion, was ideal for growing green onions. The dimensions of the basement working area, which I allocated for myself for gardening, were only 2 by 2 meters. That is only four square meters of total area, including the space between the racks.

I decided to grow onions on racks. For this, two three-tier racks were built.

About what is written here. Growing greens on racks is the best way to get the maximum profit from the minimum amount of space. And if you are going to forge green onions in the basement, cellar or garage, then racks are simply indispensable. You won't plant onions right on the floor, and you won't put earth on the floor, will you?

Among the positive aspects of growing green onions in basements and cellars, it is worth noting the ease of heating the premises. In a normal basement, the temperature is always positive. While it can be 20 degrees below zero outside. Accordingly, it is much easier to heat the air from +5 to +20 than from 20 degrees of frost to 20 degrees of heat.
The second plus of the basement (if it is under the house) is the convenience of work.
And among the main disadvantages is the need for artificial lighting. Artificial lighting is vital for obtaining high-quality onion greens.

When you have resolved all the technical issues of arranging your basement, cellar or garage, you can proceed to the direct planting of onion turnips.
Onion turnip in the basement sits as well as in the greenhouse. Onion planting technology for distillation on a pen is no different. Just as no different collection technology.
The economic side of the green onion forcing business is also quite extensive. In short, we can only say that with at least minimal effort, you will not be left at a loss.