When should onions be harvested?
by
Kelly S
+5
Some of my onions look like they are getting ready to flower.
8 answers
-
I would pull one and check it, I do green onions and when they get that far, I put them in the freezer quickly.
Rachel Bear
on May 08, 2013
-
I have several and they either didn't grow last year or didn't get harvested. I've never grown onions so I don't know when to harvest them.
Kelly S
on May 09, 2013
-
@Walter Reeves , @Empress of Dirt - Melissa , & @Douglas Hunt will you help clue me in?
Kelly S
on May 13, 2013
-
Onions (and shallots) are ready to harvest when the leaves begin to yellow. Where I live in Ontario, Canada that tends to be in July-long before flowers form. You can actually eat the onions any time while they're growing but by pulling them up you might disturb other ones you want to grow longer. It sounds like yours are far along and ready to come up (although I'm not familiar with your growing zone or how long you've had them in the garden). I always suggest learning by doing-just dig some up and try them! If you plant to store them, leave them out to dry thoroughly, remove any debris, and keep them in a cool, dark place (preferably a hanging net bag).
141737
on May 13, 2013
-
They are volunteers from last year. I didn't know that I missed any until they came up in February. The leaves haven't turned yellow yet but they are budding. Do I wait until they flower and die back or is it too late?
Kelly S
on May 13, 2013
-
Kelly, if your onions are sending up flower stalks they won't be good for storage and should be harvested as soon as possible. See more here: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/onions/oniongro.html
Douglas Hunt
on May 14, 2013
-
Thanks @Douglas Hunt It's time to go pick some onions. I also have volunteer shallots and garlic but I'm not sure which is which. I'll harvest what looks like onions and try to figure out the rest. the onions are much larger but the shallots and garlic are nearly the same size.
Kelly S
on May 14, 2013
-
They weren't round but long like a green onion only much larger. Whatever they are they'll get cooked up tomorrow night. I'll also be on the lookout for the remainder bolting.
Kelly S
on May 14, 2013
Sign Up to Answer
Related Discussions
Suggested Project Book
