How Do I Store Garlic And Onions?

“Hi, I’ve recently started growing garlic and onions in my backyard garden, and I’m thrilled with the harvest this year. But I’m unsure about the best ways to store them so they last through the winter. I’ve got a lot more than I can use right away, and I want to avoid waste and spoilage. Could you provide clear guidance on how I should store them in different conditions? I’m in Ohio, so we do get pretty cold winters here. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.” Thanks! George, Columbus, USA.

How Do I Store Garlic and Onions?

Storing garlic and onions properly can make a world of difference when it comes to maintaining their quality and keeping them fresh over the long winter months. Especially with the cold winters you experience in Ohio, George, understanding the right storage methods will ensure that your bounty lasts well into the next growing season. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the various techniques you can use to store garlic and onions—whether you’ve got a lot of space or very little, whether you prefer room temperature or a cooler environment, and how to troubleshoot common storage issues.

Understanding the Nature of Garlic and Onions

Before jumping into storage techniques, it’s useful to understand the basic characteristics of garlic and onions, helping you to appreciate why certain methods work better than others in keeping them fresh.

Garlic: Garlic is composed of a head, which is made up of multiple cloves. Each of these cloves is encased in a thin, papery skin. Garlic is relatively low in moisture compared to many other vegetables but still has enough for potential spoilage if not stored correctly.

Onions: Onions, much like garlic, are also composed of layers, but they have a higher moisture content. This makes them more prone to sprouting and rotting if exposed to the wrong conditions, such as too much humidity or warmth.

Preparing Garlic and Onions for Storage

George, the first step in ensuring your garlic and onions store well is in the preparation. Here’s what needs to be done:

• Drying or Curing: Both garlic and onions need to be cured or dried before storage. This process helps to reduce their moisture content, which in turn decreases the likelihood of them spoiling prematurely.
• Garlic: After harvesting, place your garlic bulbs in a dry, well-ventilated, and shaded area with good airflow. Allow them to cure for about two to three weeks, or until the outer skins are dry and papery.
• Onions: Onions should also be cured, but they need more time—typically between two to four weeks. Once the necks of your onions are dried out and the outer layers are crisp, they’re ready to be stored.
• Cleaning: After the curing period, gently remove any dirt and loose outer skins from your garlic and onions. But be careful not to remove too many layers of skin—doing so can expose the inner layers and reduce their storage life.
• Trimming: Trim the roots of the garlic and onions, ensuring that they are about a quarter of an inch long. Leave the tops on until you’re ready to store them, or trim them down to about an inch above the bulb for easier handling if you prefer.

Best Conditions for Storing Garlic

When it comes to storing your garlic, George, there are a few key conditions to aim for:

• Cool Temperature: A temperature range of 30-50°F (close to the freezing point) is ideal for storing garlic. At these temperatures, garlic stays dormant, reducing any potential sprouting.
• Low Humidity: Garlic is best stored in a dry environment with relative humidity around 60%. Excess moisture in the air can encourage mold growth and make the bulbs decay faster.
• Ventilation: Good air circulation helps in keeping garlic bulbs dry and discourages fungal activity. This makes mesh bags, baskets, or even hanging braids preferable over closed containers or bags.

Storage Tips by Location:

• Cool Pantry or Basement: A cool pantry or an unheated basement works well if the temperature stays consistent and within the ideal range mentioned earlier.
• Refrigerator: Storing garlic in the fridge is generally not recommended as it can promote sprouting and may cause the cloves to become rubbery. If you must use the fridge, consider a paper bag to absorb excess moisture.
• Freezing: While garlic can be frozen, the texture changes once thawed, making it better suited for cooked dishes instead of raw use. If you have more garlic than you can realistically use before it spoils, it’s an option to consider.

Best Conditions for Storing Onions

Onions share some similarities with garlic when it comes to storage, but they do have a few unique needs:

• Cool Temperature: Like garlic, onions also prefer cooler storage temperatures, ideally between 32-40°F. A cooler environment will help to slow down the chemical processes that lead to sprouting and spoilage.
• Moderate Humidity: Onions require a slightly higher humidity level than garlic—around 65-70%. This balance helps maintain their moisture without encouraging rot or mold.
• Ventilation: Similar to garlic, onions need good air circulation. Store them in mesh bags, cardboard boxes with small holes, or open baskets to allow air to move freely and keep them fresh longer.

Storage Tips by Location:

• Cool Basement or Garage: A cool basement offers an ideal environment for onion storage. As long as the space is dry and the temperature stays within the desired range, your onions should last months without issue.
• Refrigerator: Refrigeration isn’t typically ideal for onions either, as it can lead to moisture buildup and quick spoilage. However, if space is limited, refrigerating can be used for short-term storage.
• Braiding or Hanging: If you still have the onion tops attached after curing, braiding the stems or hanging the onions in bunches in a well-ventilated area can be an excellent method for long-term storage.

Common Storage Problems and How to Troubleshoot Them

Even when all precautions are taken, things can occasionally go wrong during storage. Here are some common issues you might face, George, and how to deal with them:

Garlic Problems

• Mold Growth: If you notice mold on your garlic, it might be because the storage area is too humid or lacks ventilation. Consider using a dehumidifier or increasing airflow in the storage space.
• Sprouting: Garlic starting to sprout often indicates that temperatures are too warm. Check the storage environment and consider moving the garlic to a cooler place.
• Waxy Breakdown: This condition makes garlic feel soft and sticky. It’s often a result of high temperatures combined with humidity. Unfortunately, affected bulbs aren’t good to eat, so discard them to prevent spreading to other bulbs.

Onion Problems

• Soft Spots or Rot: If you find soft spots or rot on your onions, inspect the storage area for excessive moisture. You may need to rethink the storage method to help decrease the humidity in the space.
• Sprouting: Similar to garlic, sprouting in onions happens if the storage temperature is too warm. Fix this by moving them to a cooler area and ensuring they aren’t exposed to light, which can also trigger sprouting.
• Neck Rot: Neck rot can occur if onions weren’t properly cured or if they’re stored in insufficient airflow. Increase the ventilation and make sure to cure the onions well before storing them.

Advanced Storage Techniques

For someone like you, George, who is serious about storing your harvest over winter, it might be worth exploring some advanced storage techniques:

Cold Storage Room Root Cellars

If you have the space, building a small root cellar in your basement or garage can provide a perfect environment for storing garlic and onions. Maintaining control over the humidity and temperature within the cellar allows you to create the ideal conditions for long-term storage. You can achieve this with basic insulating materials and a simple thermometer and hygrometer.

Preservation Techniques Before Storage

• Pickling: Pickling is a great way to preserve both garlic and onions. You can keep these pickled vegetables in jars and use them for cooking or as a condiment throughout the year.
• Dehydration: You can also dehydrate garlic and onions and then grind them into powder or use them in chips form to add flavor to your meals. Dehydration significantly extends their shelf life and frees up space in your storage.
• Vacuum Sealing: For both garlic and onions, vacuum sealing is a method that can help extend their storage life without the risk of exposure to air and moisture. However, you may want to refrigerate or freeze the vacuum-sealed bags depending on your available space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sometimes, even after learning the basics, questions will still arise. Here are some questions other backyard farmers have asked, which might be relevant to you:

• Can I store garlic and onions together? While you can store them together, it’s typically not recommended because onions release moisture, which can hasten spoilage in garlic. Storing them separately is the safer bet.
• Should I peel my garlic or onions before storing? It’s best to leave the outer skins intact as they provide natural protection against spoilage and pest attacks. Only peel immediately before you’re ready to use them.
• Why does some of my garlic have green sprouts in the middle? Those green sprouts usually signal that the garlic was stored in too warm a place or has been stored for too long. The garlic is still edible, but the flavor may be more bitter. Removing the sprouts is usually a good idea before cooking.

Final Thoughts…

Always remember, George, that the key to successfully storing your garlic and onions is paying attention to the basics—temperature, humidity, and airflow. Making sure you cure them properly after harvest and choose the right storage area will go a long way in keeping them fresh for months. Thanks for sharing your question, and hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy your harvest all winter long!