Is it harmful to leave mature onions in the ground too long?
Written by
Benjamin Miller
Reviewed by
Prof. Charles Hartman, Ph.D.Leaving mature onions in the ground too long causes the bulbs to begin growing again, producing roots that immediately suck out most of their sweetness. They become so full of rain that they split open and rotting sets in; while the sum of all their miseries is that, their tissues having become soft, they fall prey to the ravages of soil fungus.
Root Regrowth
- New roots emerge within 5-7 days of maturity
- Sucks sugars from bulb causing starch conversion
- Results in bland flavor and spongy texture
Pathogen Invasion
- Soil fungi enter through microscopic cracks
- Botrytis rot appears as gray fuzzy patches
- Bacterial soft rot turns bulbs mushy
Physical Damage
- Rainwater absorption causes internal splitting
- Bulbs swell then crack through outer skins
- Exposed flesh attracts insects and diseases
Bulbs that you leave in the ground for two weeks will have irreversibly lost their quality; the flavor notes will have turned bitter, and the texture will be mealy instead of crisp. I lost forty pounds by trying to hang onto that timeframe when I was a novice! Check the neck weekly after the tops fall over.
Utilize weather-aware harvesting methods to minimize damage from impending weather conditions. Soybeans can be harvested before receiving rainfall by using garden forks instead of shovels, which reduces the risk of cut loss. The harvested product should then be moved onto curing racks within two hours after harvesting. Always keep harvested onions out of direct sunlight.
Big rewards come from a well-timed harvest! When harvested properly, onions will last for months without spoiling! Onions have the potential to provide a great source of sweetness when cooked due to their natural sugars. You will avoid losing months of growing time, and your kitchen will always be stocked with great quality produce!
Read the full article: When to Harvest Onions: Ultimate Guide
