Introduction
grow your own ruddy onion is a rewarding experience — their stunning gloss , sweet yet punchy flavour , and long storage liveliness make them a favourite for home gardeners . But knowingexactly when scarlet Allium cepa are quick to harvestis key to getting the biggest , best - tasting electric-light bulb .
Harvest too ahead of time , and you ’ll miss out on their full sizing and sweetness . Wait too long , and they lay on the line splitting , rotting , or losing ledge sprightliness .
In this guide , you ’ll learnhow to tell when crimson onions are ready to pick , how to glean them without damage , and how to cure and store them for long - lasting usage .
How Long Do Red Onions Take to Grow?
Red onions are typically quick to harvest100 to 120 daysafter planting from Set or seedlings . This can diverge slenderly free-base on :
you may begin harvestingyoung or “ green ” onionsearlier , but for full - size of it storage bulbs , you ’ll need to wait untillate summer .
Best Time of Year to Harvest Red Onions
In the UK and most moderate area : Planting TimeHarvest WindowEarly outpouring ( March – April)Late July to early SeptemberAutumn planting ( mild regions)June – July the following year
The primal indicator is n’t just the calendar — it ’s theplant ’s physical signs .
Signs Your Red Onions Are Ready to Harvest
Here are the top sign to watch for :
✅ 1.Fallen or Yellowing Tops
Once thegreen leaves ( tops ) start out to flop overand turnyellow or dark-brown , it ’s a exonerated mark the light bulb has kibosh growing .
🔎 seem for 50–80 % of the tops to have fall naturally .
✅ 2.Bulb Size is Fully Developed
Gently scrape back the soil from one or two onion and check their size :
✅ 3.Neck Feels Soft and Thin
The “ neck ” ( where the stem meets the electric light ) should be :
This means the Allium cepa has stop transport food to the medulla and is quick to be lifted .
How to Harvest Red Onions Step-by-Step
1.Choose a Dry Day
Pick a day withno rain forecast — this aid prevent rot during curing .
2.Loosen Soil Gently
Use a hand fork or trowel to untie the soilaround each electric-light bulb — avoid stabbing the onion straight .
3.Lift Carefully
hold on the Qaeda of the leaf and gentlypull the onion from the dirt . Shake off supererogatory grime — do not moisten .
4.Inspect the Bulbs
bet for :
Use any damaged lightbulb quickly — they wo n’t salt away well .
Curing Red Onions for Storage
To stash away reddish onion long - term , you ’ll necessitate tocure themfor 2–3 calendar week . StepDetailsLay them outIn a dry , well - ventilated country — not in unmediated sunAvoid stackingLeave space between each bulbTurn regularlyEvery few solar day to dry out evenlyWait untilSkins are papery and necks are fully teetotal
💡 confidential information : you’re able to heal onions on a wire rack , in a glasshouse with airflow , or under a cover porch .
How to Store Red Onions After Harvest
head off storing onions nearpotatoes — the moisture and gases reduce ledge liveliness .
Can You Harvest Red Onions Early?
Yes ! you’re able to :
👉 Harvest asSpring Onions
👉 Harvest asGreen Onions
Early harvesting = milder flavor , poor shelf life .
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Harvesting too presently — Small , immature bulbs wo n’t bring around or salt away well 🚫 Leaving in soaked ground — Leads to moulder and fungal problems 🚫 wash before curing — further cast during drying 🚫 Cutting the top too early — Wait until fully juiceless 🚫 lay in with bad flow of air — Causes germinate or softening
Patience pays off with onions — a few surplus weeks can make all the difference .
Companion Harvest: What to Grow and Harvest with Red Onions
Plan your allotment layout tomaximise soil spaceand crop rotation efficiency .
What To Do After Harvest
✔ ️Clean off dry soilgently ✔ ️Cure for 2–3 weeksin a dry , ventilated place ✔ ️Trim the roots and topsonce fully cured ✔ ️Label your harvestif growing multiple varieties ✔ ️Store properlyfor long - term utilization ✔ ️Save the best bulbsfor planting next season ( if using undefendable - pollinated type )
Conclusion
Red onions are one of the most rewarding crops for home gardener — butknowing when to harvest them is crucialfor flavour , size , and storehouse .
see forfallen tops , firm bulb size , and wry necksas your harvest discriminative stimulus . Take the time to bring around them properly , and you ’ll savour your homegrown red onion formonths to comein everything from roasts to salad to stews .
With the correct timing and a piffling care , your red onion crop will be one of thetastiest and longest - lasting harvestsin your garden .
Top 10 FAQs About Harvesting Red Onions
1.How do I know when red onions are ready to harvest?
When50–80 % of the top have flopped over , and thenecks are soft and ironical .
2.Can I harvest red onions early?
Yes — as spring or green Allium cepa , but they wo n’t store long .
3.What happens if I harvest too early?
Bulbs may beunderdeveloped , lack tone , and wo n’t hive away well .
4.Should I wash onions after pulling them?
No — brush off juiceless territory is fine . Do not washbefore curing .
5.How long do onions take to cure?
Usually2–3 weeksin a dry , well - ventilated billet .
6.Can I dry onions in the sun?
A few hours is okay , but avoid prolong direct sunlight — it can make sunscald .
7.Can I eat onions right after harvest?
Yes — they’reperfectly dependable impudent , though the flavour improves after cure .
8.How do I store red onions after curing?
In acool , dark , well - ventilated arealike a shed or larder .
9.Why are my onions splitting or sprouting?
Usually due tooverwatering , late harvesting , or poor curing .
10.Do red onions store as well as yellow onions?
They can — withproper curing and repositing , they last 3–6 months or longer .
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