How to Cure and Store Garlic and Onions for Maximum Freshness

A successful garlic and onion harvest doesn’t end in the garden bed. To keep your bounty fresh and flavorful through the winter (and beyond), knowing how to properly cure and store these kitchen staples is essential.

When to Harvest
Garlic is ready when about half the leaves turn yellow. For softneck types, the necks start to flop. Hardneck garlic is typically harvested 3–4 weeks after the scapes appear. Don’t leave garlic in the garden too much longer after they’re mature or the cloves will begin to separate, shortening their storage life.

Onions should be pulled when the tops have naturally fallen over — that’s a signal they’ve stopped growing. If they bolt before that, harvest and eat them right away.

How to Cure
Curing means drying out the necks and outer skins to prevent rot. Spread your garlic and onions out in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area (75–85°F). A basement with fans or a shaded outdoor space works great. Curing takes as little as 10 days for garlic in the proper conditions, or as long as 4 weeks for onions in less-than-ideal spaces. Be patient! Be sure the papers are dry and tight.

Trimming

Once curing is complete, it’s time to do a little cleanup. Trip the tops of the garlic and onions to prepare for storage:

Garlic: Snip stems ~1″ above bulb, trim roots.

Onions: Cut neck to ½–1″, trim roots; remove any outer skins with damage.

Brush off soil—do not wash! Water invites rot. Only store perfect bulbs; any damage or soft spots increase rot risk.

Proper Storage
For long-term storage, garlic prefers 50–65°F with ~60% humidity. Onions do better in cooler, dryer places — 32–40°F and low humidity. Mesh bags or open bins are ideal. Avoid plastic or anything airtight.

Alternative Methods
No perfect storage spot? Dice and freeze your onions, or mince garlic and store it in oil in the fridge. You can also dehydrate both for long-lasting pantry staples.

By putting in the effort now, you can enjoy homegrown garlic and onions for months — maybe even until your next harvest!

Get even more details on the full episode here: How to Harvest, Cure, and Store Garlic and Onions - Just Grow Something