When to Harvest Onions for Peak Flavor and Store Them So They Last for Months

Onions are a popular plant for vegetable gardens—and for good reason. They're relatively easy to grow, don't take up too much space, and can be used in a wide range of recipes. However, in order to use them, you first need to harvest them properly.

Timing is crucial when it comes to onions, and harvesting at the perfect moment can yield a more flavorful vegetable. To help you navigate this process, we spoke to gardening experts about when they prefer to harvest onions—and how you can do it yourself.

When to Harvest

Onions are typically ready to harvest two-and-a-half to four months after planting. "In the north, onions are seeded or transplanted in the spring after the danger of spring frosts has passed, and aren't harvested until late summer or early fall," says David Handley, a vegetable and small fruit specialist at the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Fortunately, there's also a telltale sign to indicate when your onions are ready. "The leaves will start to flop over," says Marissa Schuh, an educator at the University of Minnesota Extension. "When roughly half of your plants have leaves that have fallen over and start to dry, you can start the process of harvesting."

If the leaves start to fall too early, however, it may be a sign of stress or disease.

How to Harvest

When harvesting onions, be careful. If you cut an onion bulb while digging, it won't store well, says Schuh. "Find a tool that makes digging work for you—some people like spades, others like garden forks."

Once you've carefully removed the onion from the ground, it needs to be cured before being put in long-term storage. If the forecast looks dry and warm, Schuh says you can simply leave the onions outside on the soil surface.

If not, you can move them to a warm, dry, and well-ventilated spot, she says. "A lot of people do this in garages or sheds."

Once they've finished curing, Handley recommends sorting through them and removing any that show signs of decay. Only store healthy bulbs.

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How to Store

"Onions should be stored in a dark, cool, dry place, preferably at about 50 degrees Fahrenheit and about 60 percent humidity, with some ventilation," says Handley.

He recommends storing them in mesh bags, which will help prevent moisture from accumulating. Don't store them in plastic bags or in cold temperatures below freezing.

"Avoid storing onions with other produce that produces ethylene, such as apples, as this will cause the onions to sprout and can significantly shorten storage life," he adds.

Onions can be successfully stored for two to four months if you follow these steps.