How to preserve onions until spring without a cellar: choosing a container and place

Today, many housewives do not know how to preserve onions until spring without a cellar. For some, vegetables quickly become covered with mold and rot, while for others, they become dry from the inside. And during the cold season, I really want to get a couple of fresh homemade onions from my supplies and chase the bacilli! Fortunately, there is a solution. We will tell you how to properly store onions in an ordinary apartment. If you follow the rules described below, the vegetables will last until the end of March - beginning of April.

Preparing onions for storage

The shelf life primarily depends on the variety. So, ordinary yellow onions are considered the most shelf-stable. They contain a huge amount of phytoncides and have a dense outer shell. But red, purple and white varieties can last only 2-3 months in an apartment.

The shelf life is also affected by the method of planting. Onions grown from sets will last longer than those grown from seeds.

Harvesting

Most types of onions must be harvested between the end of July and August 10–15. Unripe vegetables will not store well, while overripe vegetables will begin to sprout after some time.

If necessary, you can speed up the ripening. To do this, rake off some of the soil from the bulbs, and carefully bend the feathers to the ground without breaking them. Then the fruits will quickly “take” nutrients from the soil and tops.

Harvesting can only be done in sunny weather, when the soil is well dry.If no rain is expected in the coming days, then it is useful to leave the bulbs in the garden for another 5–7 days.

Sorting

First, you need to clear the soil from the bulbs without damaging the husks. Then cut off the feathers, leaving “tails” 2-3 cm long. They will protect the fruits from getting putrefactive bacteria inside.

Rotten bulbs should be thrown away. Damaged, unripe and overripe - try to eat immediately.

Only vegetables of ideal ripeness, with bright, dry and rustling husks, are suitable for storage.

Drying

It is better to dry the bulbs in direct sunlight. Ultraviolet light will not only remove excess moisture, but also disinfect the surface.

If the weather does turn bad, then any well-ventilated room is suitable for drying:

• attic;
• pantry;
• balcony;
• window sill on the south side of the apartment.

The optimal period is 3–5 days.

To speed up the drying process, you can use the oven. In it, the vegetable is dried for 10–12 hours at a temperature of 35–45 degrees. It is better to open the oven door slightly.

What kind of container will allow you to preserve onions until spring?

50% of success in storing a product depends on the correct choice of containers. The main criterion is good ventilation properties. For example, plastic bags are not suitable for you. They do not allow air to pass through at all, so they can speed up the decay process. Below we will consider the types of containers in which onions can be stored until spring.

• Wooden boxes

In such a container, vegetables are very well ventilated. In addition, you can stack the drawers on top of each other to save space in your apartment.

Plastic boxes are also suitable for storing onions. But they are less environmentally friendly and have poorer air permeability if the vegetables are packed very tightly into the container.

• Carton boxes

You can use old shoe boxes to store onions or ask for used containers at your local store. The main thing is to make holes in the cardboard with a diameter of 0.5–1 cm so that the material allows air to pass through.

• Wicker baskets

An ideal option to preserve onions until spring. Wicker baskets not only have excellent ventilation properties, but also look aesthetically pleasing. They can even be placed in the corner of the bedroom.

• Bags

Must be made of breathable fabric. Burlap, linen and cotton work best. But you should not use bags that are too long and wide, otherwise the bulbs will begin to rot. Also, paper bags are not very suitable for storing product, as they accumulate moisture and can easily tear.

• Vegetable nets

Their main advantage is openness. If any bulb begins to rot, you will notice it and be able to remove it from the net. Then the rest of the harvest will be saved. It’s also convenient to hang the grids in different places in the apartment.

• Pantyhose and stockings

Despite the seeming absurdity, this option is also suitable for storing onions. Nylon tights allow air to pass through well and are quite roomy.

Whatever container you choose, store the onions in small layers. The maximum height is 30–40 cm. With a thicker layer, the upper bulbs will begin to put pressure on the lower ones, which will lead to premature spoilage.

How to properly store onions without a cellar?

Finding a suitable place to store onions in an apartment is not so easy. This vegetable is more capricious than potatoes or carrots. Try to provide him with the conditions indicated below.

• Temperature

With the cold method, onions are stored at a temperature of 0–3 degrees. Then its freshness remains for at least 6 months.However, in an apartment it is difficult to maintain such a low temperature. It is not recommended to store the vegetable in the refrigerator, because it dries out there and imparts softness and an unpleasant odor to the food lying nearby. A balcony is also not an option: in the event of a sharp temperature change, condensation forms on the husks, leading to rotting.

Therefore, housewives living in an apartment have only a warm storage method. It involves maintaining the temperature at 15–22 degrees.

Do not store onions near heat sources. For example, near a heating radiator.

• Humidity

Onions should be stored in a room with a humidity of 60–70%. There should be no fluctuations in this indicator. Bulbs should not be placed near the hob, under the sink, or in the bathroom or toilet.

• Lighting

If it is recommended to dry onions in direct sunlight, then store them only in a dark place. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation leads to drying of the surface and deterioration of the aroma.

If we summarize the three conditions described above, we can come to a conclusion about the best places to store onions. This is a pantry, a corner of the room, the space under the bed, a mezzanine. If you are going to store vegetables in the kitchen, choose places away from the stove and sink.

Storing onions at home: FAQ

Question: What vegetables should you not store onions with?

Answer: With potatoes, carrots, beets and cabbage. These vegetables require higher indoor humidity. But onions can be stored next to garlic. These vegetables have a similar structure, and due to the high content of phytoncides, they do not interrupt each other’s taste.

Question: How can I guarantee to extend the shelf life of onions until mid-spring?

Answer: You can burn its roots a little. True, then the bulbs cannot be planted in the spring.The second method is to sprinkle vegetables with chalk at the rate of 200 g per 10 kg.

Question: Which onion varieties are not suitable for long-term storage?

Answer: Early ripening, sweet and semi-sweet varieties are stored worst of all. They contain less phytoncides than spicy yellow onions. Consequently, bacteria multiply quickly. The following varieties are unlikely to “survive” until spring: Yaltinsky (Crimean), Exhibition, Aleko.

Thus, preserving onions until spring is a difficult task, but quite feasible. It is necessary to take care of timely harvesting, properly drying the fruits, and choosing suitable containers and places. If you pay attention to detail, you can prepare dishes from fresh and aromatic onions for 6–7 months.