How to Keep Welsh Onions (Scallions) Fresh? Latest Technical Methods Tutorial

Welsh onions should be harvested when the leaves on the ground become thin and slightly withered and yellow; otherwise, when frosty weather arrives, they will be frostbitten or rot. After harvest, they must also be stored using suitable methods; they need to stay fresh and must not spoil or rot. Therefore, some measures and methods must be adopted to keep them fresh. Generally, a low-temperature, dry environment must be created for storage. The specific methods are as follows.

1. Ground storage

In a shaded, dry, clean place that is sheltered from the wind, spread a 5 cm thick layer of sand on the ground, place the Welsh onions in bundles on the sand, placing them densely, then cover the roots with nearly 20 cm of sand. They can be stacked continuously, and a height of about 1 m is acceptable. Finally, cover them with straw, stalks, plastic film or similar protection.

2. Cellar storage

First, leave the harvested Welsh onions in the ground to dry for a few days. Once the surface is dry, tie them into bundles with the roots facing down and pile them in a sunny, well-ventilated, dry place to continue drying. When frost arrives, they can be moved into a cellar for storage. In the cellar, pay attention to the moisture problem and check frequently; any that have rotted should be removed.

3. Cold storage

Cold storage is mainly for short-term storage after harvest. During storage, the Welsh onions must still be kept fresh and green, so the temperature must be maintained at 0°C; it must not rise, but it also must not drop to the point of freezing. During cold storage, water can occasionally be sprayed to maintain humidity. The Welsh onions should be placed in containers before being put into the cellar. If the oxygen in the cellar can be reduced, the storage time can be extended.

4. False storage

When the harvest period arrives, do not pull them out of the soil. Instead, earth up directly around the roots, deep enough to bury all the white parts of the onions and leave only the green leaves exposed. In this way, they can be kept until winter, and they can be dug out whenever they are to be sold. Alternatively, after harvesting and taking them home, dig a pit in the yard and bury them, also just burying the white parts of the onions.

5. Frozen storage

Taking advantage of natural environmental conditions, after harvest, dry them for a few days so the leaves lose some water, then tie them into bundles and move them under the eaves in a cool place. In this way, the low winter temperatures will naturally freeze the Welsh onions, which can keep them fresh. After drying, they are less likely to rot when thawed. If they are not dried, the leaf cells contain more water and are prone to rupture when moved.

There are many ways to keep Welsh onions fresh after harvest. The preservation method will be decided according to different requirements. Here only a few representative preservation methods have been selected for specific introduction. Also, some that are kept as seed plants cannot be stored frozen; green plants should be stored cold.