When to Harvest Onions and How to Cure Them
How to tell when onions are ready, harvesting spring- and fall-planted onions, whether to bend the tops, curing onions and preparing them for storage.
Onions are ready when about half to most of the tops have fallen over and begin to yellow. For storage onions, wait until 50–80% of the tops are down, then lift them on a dry day. Spring-planted onions are usually harvested in mid to late summer; fall-planted onions in late spring to early summer.
Harvest Step by Step
- Stop watering when tops start falling over.
- Wait about a week after most tops are down.
- Loosen soil with a fork and lift bulbs gently.
- Leave them on the soil a day or two in dry, sunny weather, or move them under cover.
Do not bend tops over by hand to speed things up: it can reduce storage life.
Curing
Spread onions in a single layer or hang them in a warm, dry, airy, shaded place for 2–3 weeks, until necks are tight and dry and skins papery. Then cut tops 2–3 cm above the bulb and trim roots, or braid them.
Green Onions and Fresh Onions
You can pull young onions at any stage as green or "fresh" onions; only fully mature, cured bulbs store long.
More Onion Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know when onions are ready to harvest?
When most of the tops have fallen over and begun to yellow.
How long should onions cure?
About 2–3 weeks until the necks are completely dry.
TarlaTapan guides focus on practical, field-tested growing advice. Corrections and suggestions are welcome at info@tarlatapan.tr.