Should I trim onion tops before curing?

Trimming onion tops too early will ruin your curing process. I learned this lesson after half of my harvest rotted after an early trim. If you leave the leaves intact, it allows moisture to wick away over 2-4 weeks. If you do an early cut, you create a fresh cut for pathogens to enter and cause neck rot.

Correct top handling refers to carefully placing it for curing, positioning bulbs with tops covering neighboring bulbs, as if forming natural umbrellas. Do not fold or break stems. I tend to arrange my bulbs in spirals to promote airflow while keeping them covered.

Identify safe trimming signals precisely. Necks become very thin and very dry, with a crackly texture. Bulbs develop loose outer skins that make noise when you rustle them. You can twist tops slightly as a trial, but I want to see if they'll separate easily. Perfect timing means stems detach just by pulling lightly, leaving one-inch stubs.

For optimal results, use appropriate pruning techniques. Disinfect any pruning shears used with alcohol between use on different plants. Prune 1-1.5 inches above the shoulders of the bulb. Avoid pulling or tearing foliage. I treat my tools again with disinfectant after every row to prevent disease transmission.

Perfectly stored onions require mastering top management. You will be rewarded with crispy, long-lasting bulbs, and your patience will pay off. The sweet, homegrown flavor reaches its peak when curing is finished naturally. Your kitchen affairs will shine with onions that have been properly stored.

Read the full article: When to Harvest Onions: Complete Guide