Knowing when to harvest your onions will save those crops from going to waste. Look for half the tops to be bending down naturally; feel the necks turning papery thin; see bulbs pushing through the soil. Then, you will know your onions have reached their limit in size, and correspondingly, the flavour is at its peak. The time of going over affects the taste of the onions delectably, and diminishes the period of keeping.
Neck Roll Test: As harvest time approaches, check your garlic by rolling the necks of the plants between your thumb and finger every day. If the necks feel thick and flexible, they've got a few more days to grow. Crackly skin, on the other hand, means harvest now. It's a handy test that'll keep you from picking too early. I do it religiously since losing bulbs to that habit.
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- 50-80% of foliage bends at neck naturally
- Yellowing starts from leaf tips downward
- Avoid forcing tops down artificially
Bulb Development
- Top third visible above soil line
- Papery skin forms over firm flesh
- Reaches variety-specific size
Timing Factors
- Seed-grown: 100-120 days maturity
- Set-grown: 70-80 days maturity
- Heat accelerates cool delays growth
Weather alters everything. Heat ripens the crop in weeks, allowing bulbs to mature several weeks earlier than they would without it. In a cold spell, bulb formation is delayed. Watch the weather closely during the late stages of the crop; harvest in dry weather after storms to avoid a crop of rotting onions. I learned this the hard way, having suffered heavily at times through a sudden storm that spoiled my crop.
Curing commences as soon as you harvest your onions. Place your bulbs at this stage in a dry, airy place. The ideal room temperature is generally around 70-80°F, with a humidity level of 50-60%. This hardens the skin and makes it ready to store. Properly cured onions will not develop mold during the winter months. Your tastebuds will be pleased!
Select onion varieties based on the storage duration required. Long-storing varieties, such as copra onion, will last for up to 10 months, while sweet onions should be used soon after harvesting. Consider how you will use your onions when choosing which varieties to grow, as this will help prevent spoilage of your entire onion crop.
Read the full article: When to Harvest Onions: Ultimate Guide
