Capturing a picture of some onions plaited into hanks. Easy to store, easy to check and very easy to give away as gifts!
It is satisfying to have an indoor gardening job to do when the weather turns wet and cold. Lately, we have been plaiting more of our onion crop and hanging the resulting onion hanks from the rafters for winter storage.
Any time we go to snip an onion from the top of a hank for use in the kitchen, we inspect the other onions quickly to check if any are starting to show any signs of rot. Suspect onions are removed so the rot does not spread to the healthy crop.
Meanwhile, as our onion harvest was quite good, we have a few hanks to spare. A hank of organic onions has gone away with any visitors in the last while. Hopefully we will still have enough to last us into the spring.
Posted by jenjunebug on December 16, 2014 at 1:35 pm
Thanks for the tip! I have mine in a box of sand in the shed but I noticed condensation on shed ceiling and some rotten onions. Must go rescue the rest of the onions and garlic and hope they’ll get me through Christmas at least!
Posted by Trevor Sargent on December 18, 2014 at 1:30 pm
You are welcome, Jennifer,
Onion and garlic do need a dry storage area so hanging them in a dark, dry cool place is best. Even then some may rot so check them regularly for any softness and remove those onions and garlic that are going off before they affect the rest. As for damp sand, it is great for storing beetroot, carrots, parsnips etc. But keep the damp sand away from the onion storage area to avoid condensation affecting the onions and garlic.
Have a good Christmas,
Trevor