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What you do with onions when you pick them is cure them properly before storing them.
Curing is the process of drying the outer skins and necks of freshly picked onions so they can last for months in storage.
When you pick onions, they’re still full of moisture, and that moisture is exactly what causes rot and mold if you skip this step.
So the short answer to what to do with onions when you pick them is: cure them first, then store them in a cool, dry, dark place.
In this post, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about what to do with onions when you pick them, from curing to trimming to long-term storage.
Let’s dig in.
What To Do With Onions When You Pick Them: The Curing Process
When you pick onions, curing is your very first job, and it’s non-negotiable if you want them to keep.
Curing basically means letting the onions dry out completely so their papery skins tighten up and protect the flesh inside.
Here’s what to do with onions when you pick them during the curing stage.
1. Leave Them in the Ground for a Few Days
If the weather is dry and sunny, you can actually start curing onions right where they grew.
When you pick onions, simply loosen the soil with a fork and leave them sitting on top of the ground with their roots still attached.
This lets the sun dry the outer skins naturally, and it also helps the onions pull a little extra energy from the leaves during those first few days.
Just make sure to bring them in if rain is forecast, because wet onions will not cure properly.
2. Move Them to a Dry, Airy Spot
If you can’t leave them in the garden, the next best thing to do with onions when you pick them is move them to a sheltered spot like a garage, shed, or covered porch.
Spread them out in a single layer, and make sure air can circulate around each onion.
You can place them on a wire rack, a mesh screen, or even an old window screen propped up on blocks.
The goal is to dry them evenly on all sides, so avoid piling them up or leaving them in a damp corner.
3. Wait for the Necks to Feel Papery
The main thing to do with onions when you pick them is be patient during curing.
You’ll know they’re done when the necks (the part where the leaves meet the bulb) feel completely dry and papery, not soft or green.
The outer skin should also feel like thin, crinkly paper that easily peels away.
This process usually takes two to three weeks, depending on your climate and humidity levels.
Don’t rush it, because under-cured onions are the number one reason stored onions rot from the inside out.
4. Turn Them Occasionally for Even Drying
Another key thing to do with onions when you pick them and cure them is flip them every few days.
This ensures the bottoms don’t stay damp against whatever surface they’re resting on.
A quick turn every couple of days keeps air moving and prevents any soft spots from forming.
Once the skins are papery and the roots feel dry and brittle, you’re ready for the next step.
Trimming And Cleaning Onions After Curing
After the curing period, it’s time to clean up your onions before long-term storage.
Here’s exactly what to do with onions when you pick them after they’ve cured.
1. Cut Off the Dried Tops
Use clean scissors or pruning shears to cut the dried leaves off about one inch above the bulb.
This is a critical step for what to do with onions when you pick them because leaving long tops can trap moisture and invite rot.
But don’t cut too close to the neck, because you want that dried stem to act as a barrier against bacteria and mold.
2. Trim the Roots
The roots will be dry and wiry by now, so just snip them off close to the base of the onion.
Again, be gentle and leave the bottom plate intact.
If you damage the root plate, moisture can get inside and cause the onion to spoil quickly.
3. Brush Off Loose Dirt
Don’t wash your onions with water after curing, because moisture is your enemy at this point.
Instead, gently brush off any remaining soil with your hands or a soft brush.
If you have stubborn dirt, you can rub the onion lightly with a dry cloth.
That’s really all there is to cleaning them up, and it’s a simple thing to do with onions when you pick them.
Storing Your Cured Onions For The Long Haul
Once your onions are cured and trimmed, the final thing to do with onions when you pick them is store them correctly.
Even perfectly cured onions will spoil fast if you store them in the wrong conditions.
Here’s how to keep them fresh for months.
1. Choose a Cool, Dry, Dark Spot
Onions store best at temperatures between 35°F and 45°F (1°C to 7°C) with low humidity.
A pantry, basement, cellar, or even an unheated closet works well.
Darkness is also important, because light can trigger sprouting even in cured onions.
2. Use Breathable Containers
Never store onions in plastic bags, as they trap moisture and cause rot.
Instead, use mesh bags, baskets, paper bags with holes, or even old nylon stockings.
The key is to let air circulate around each onion while keeping them off the floor.
3. Check Them Regularly
Even with perfect storage, one bad onion can spoil the whole batch.
Check your stored onions every couple of weeks and remove any that feel soft, smell off, or show signs of sprouting.
That simple habit is one of the smartest things to do with onions when you pick them and store them.
So, What To Do With Onions When You Pick Them?
So, what to do with onions when you pick them is clear: you cure them first, then trim them, then store them in a cool, dry, dark place.
Curing is the most important step because it dries the skins and necks so your onions can last for months without rotting.
After curing, you cut the tops and roots, brush off dirt, and put them in breathable containers in a dark, cool spot.
That’s really everything you need to know about what to do with onions when you pick them.
Follow this simple process, and you’ll be enjoying your homegrown onions well into winter.