When and how to harvest onions in the Moscow region

It's important to remember that you shouldn't water onions before harvesting. Watering should be stopped at least two weeks before harvesting, otherwise the roots will begin to rot, which will completely ruin the harvest.

When to harvest onions from the garden?

Not many beginning gardeners know, how and when to clean Onions are growing in the Moscow region, but choosing the right time to harvest isn't as difficult as it seems. If the green tips turn yellow and then fall to the ground, this indicates the onion is ripening, which is the signal to harvest it. There are other signs that indicate ripening, such as when the tips not only turn yellow but also dry out completely.

If all the leaves have already turned yellow and fallen to the ground, this may be a signal to harvest. However, it's not always worth waiting until the leaves have completely yellowed. Even if half the leaves have turned yellow and dried out, it's time to begin harvesting, unless the yellowing is due to plant disease. Gardeners often ask when to harvest onions in the Moscow region (video), but the harvest time depends on the variety of onion chosen. Harvesting time may vary for onion sets and bulb onions. This article will detail the timing and proper method for harvesting vegetables from the garden.

In different parts of the world, onions are harvested at different times. In the Moscow region, the best time to harvest them is late July or early August at the earliest. If you don't harvest them then, there's a good chance the onions will rot in the soil due to frequent rainfall and increased soil moisture. Gardeners can hold off on harvesting onions, but only if the weather forecast doesn't predict many rainy days for the last month of summer. Dry weather will ensure the vegetables retain their flavor; if rain and cold temperatures are forecast for August, harvesting should begin in late July.

If we judge not by weather conditions, but by the lunar calendar for when to harvest onions in the Moscow region in 2016, experts say the harvest should begin on August 15th, with all onions harvested by the 20th. During this period, the moon is waning, allowing the harvest to be preserved until the following season. However, we do not recommend harvesting garlic and onions during this period, as forecasters predict heavy rains in the second half of August, which could cause the onions to rot underground.

How to calculate the onion harvesting period?

Most often, onions ripen seventy or eighty days after planting, but the timingyellowing of onionsThe exact harvest date will depend on the vegetable variety chosen. To accurately calculate the best time to harvest onions, simply remember the planting date and then add about seventy-five days to that date. This will give you the exact harvest date, which can vary from seventy to eighty days.

You'll also have to consider what the summer was like. When the summer months are hot and there's not much rain, onions ripen quickly, meaning the harvest can be collected in seventy days. When the summer is rainy and not too hot, the harvest will take a little longer to ripen, in which case ripening will extend to ninety days.

How to properly dig up onions from the garden

If the soil is loose enough, you can simply pull the onions out of the ground by hand. In some cases, they can be quite difficult to pull out of the ground, so you'll need to use a shovel. Digging up the onions should only be done in sunny weather; rain will cause the onions to become too wet, leading to premature rotting. After digging up the onions, leave them in the garden beds until evening, exposed to the sun.

Knowing when to harvest winter onions in the Moscow region isn't enough; you also need to consider how to prepare them for storage. For proper storage, the onions need to be exposed to sunlight throughout the day, which will help dry any remaining soil on the vegetables. While drying, it's important to turn the onions periodically to ensure they dry evenly on all sides. Once the onions are sufficiently dry, you can use a large box and store the vegetables in the prepared container. Afterward, store the onions in a cool, dark place, such as an attic or pantry.

We recommend: Using onion peels for your garden or vegetable patch

A balcony is also suitable for further drying, but this option is not recommended. Onions should be left in such a box for another week, as they need to dry thoroughly to prevent rotting during storage. If onions are grown in garden beds at a summer cottage, then after digging, the onions are left in the beds to dry for another week; this way, they won't need to be stored in a separate box. The only drawback of this method of drying is that at sunset, all the onions will have to be stored in boxes under a canopy or other shelter.

While the onions are drying, it's important to constantly monitor the condition of their necks. When the necks are still soft and fresh, they're not ready for cellar storage. However, if the necks are dry, they can be safely collected in boxes and stored in the cellar until the next season. It's important to remember that the better the onions are dried, the longer they will remain fresh; some varieties can be stored for up to a year and a half. If the onions aren't dried properly, they will quickly begin to rot, which will also cause good onions to rot. In this case, you'll need to constantly sort through the vegetables and monitor the humidity in the room.

How to properly prepare onions for drying

When drying vegetables, it's important to pay attention not only to the bulbs themselves but also to the tops of the plants. Once they're completely dry, you can trim them off or simply pluck them off. It's also recommended to trim off any excessively long roots, but removing the entire root system isn't recommended. Immediately after trimming, the onions are placed in storage boxes for the winter until the next harvest. It's important to know not only when to harvest onions from the garden for storage in the Moscow region but also how to prepare them so they last in storage throughout the winter without rotting.

There are many ways to dry onions and garlic. Some leave the bulbs in the ground and turn them periodically, while others use nylon tights, placing the onions in them and hanging them in a ventilated area. Storage methods vary, and you can also store the vegetables in nylon stockings or tights, but many homeowners have learned to braid special braids, which are very convenient for cutting the bulbs and also prevent the roots from rotting.

To store onions in braids, pull out the plants with long stems before they dry. These stems are then immediately woven into the braids (the bulbs can be washed first). This ensures each vegetable dries thoroughly and makes it easy to store them in the kitchen or basement. It's crucial to harvest onions promptly; if left in the soil for too long, they can not only rot but also become overripe, which will negatively impact their shelf life.

A few words about sowing onions

The shelf life of vegetables will depend not only on when to harvest onions and garlic in the Moscow region, but also on the correct sowing of the plants in the spring. Since onions have been grown by gardeners for over five thousand years, experts have already identified which varieties germinate better and which less well. However, there are only two options. planting onionsIn the first case, onions are grown using sets, while in the second, they are sown using seeds. Gardeners say that the seeds germinate much better and faster, so most gardeners try to buy high-quality seeds for planting onions in their gardens.

Sowing occurs in late winter or early spring. Gardeners can prepare the seeds to help them germinate a little faster. To harden and awaken the plants, the seeds are immersed in chilled water for two days, stirring constantly. This hardens the plants. Once the seeds begin to sprout, they are placed in the refrigerator for a week. After a week, the seedlings are thoroughly dried and planted.

How to harvest garlic and onions from the garden

Harvesting garlic is similar to harvesting onions. Once the greens begin to turn yellow and fall to the ground, the first harvest can begin. Don't rush the harvest; if the garlic head doesn't form properly, the neck will be soft and will rot first. If you want to speed up the ripening process, you can simply mow down all the tops. In this case, you can harvest the remaining garlic within a week.

However, many people avoid this method because the garlic can spoil before harvest. Drying this pungent vegetable can be done during dry, sunny weather, but it must be thoroughly dried, ensuring the skins are completely dry. The vegetables can ripen while drying, but the key is to ensure the tops are thoroughly dried and not left green. Otherwise, the necks will rot, ruining the garlic during storage.