How to Cure Garlic and Onions for Long-Term Storage

Alliums like garlic and onions are some of the easiest vegetables to grow in North Texas and staples in my vegetable garden. Not only do they mature before the triple-digit heat arrives, but they also require very little seasonal care other than fertilizing and mulching. (I often completely forget about them!)

But if you want them to last past July, there’s one important step you can’t skip: curing.

Why Curing Matters

The process that makes onions and garlic storable is called curing. Curing allows them to dry fully after harvest, sealing the necks and outer layers to prevent moisture loss and rot. It also enhances flavor by allowing sugars and sulfur compounds to concentrate as excess moisture evaporates—improving both taste and the characteristic aroma and pungency.

_{Freshly harvested garlic on the left. Fully cured garlic on the right.} 

How to Cure Onions

Once your onions are pulled from the ground, here’s what to do next:

1. Move to a Protected Area

After harvest, move onions to a location that’s protected from rain and direct sun, but still gets plenty of air circulation. Think covered porches, garages with open doors, or shaded patios. I cure my onions in my garage. (Do not wash the onions or trim the tops. This can introduce bacteria that leads to rot.)

2. Spread Them Out

Lay onions out in a single layer on wire racks, shelving, or even old window screens. Avoid stacking them or placing directly on concrete, which can retain moisture.

3. Cure for 2–4 Weeks

Let them dry until the neck is completely dried down and the outer skins are papery. This takes anywhere from two to four weeks, depending on temperature and humidity. Tip: Go look at the necks on onions at the grocery store to see what you’re aiming for.

4. Trim and Store

Once cured:

• Trim tops to about one inch

• Trim the roots

• Brush off excess dirt (don’t remove too many outer wrappers)

Store in a mesh basket, paper bag, or open crate in a cool, dark location with good airflow. Because most homes in North Texas stay warm through summer, I usually store onions in the refrigerator. When kept cold and dry, some varieties can last up to six months.

_{Fully cured onions stored in a refrigerator.}

How to Cure Garlic

Garlic gets a similar treatment, with just a few adjustments:

1. Don’t Wash or Trim

After harvest, do not wash garlic or remove any wrappers. Leave the roots and tops attached until fully cured.

2. Hang or Lay Flat

You can either:

• Hang garlic in bundles of 5–6 using twine, or

• Spread it out in a single layer on a mesh screen or rack

Place in a dry, shaded, and well-ventilated area.

3. Cure for 2–4 Weeks
Garlic is cured when:

• Outer wrappers are dry and papery

• The neck is firm and completely dry

• The cloves feel tight and aren’t easily squeezed
  
  

4. Store Correctly

Garlic should never be stored in the refrigerator—the cold can trigger sprouting. Instead, keep bulbs in a dark, cool space with airflow, such as a pantry, utility room, or even a well-ventilated closet.

Storage life varies:

• Softneck varieties can last 6–10 months

• Hardneck varieties tend to store 3–6 months

When to Harvest Garlic and Onions

Knowing the right time to pull your alliums makes a big difference in how well they cure and store.

• Garlic is ready when:

  • Bulbs are fully formed

  • The outer wrappers start to dry

  • The outline of the cloves is visible through the wrapper

• Onions are ready when:

  • The neck softens

  • Foliage flops over

  • Foliage is turning yellow or brown
    
    

Check for all three conditions to assess onion readiness. Some onions will fall over before fully mature.

Want My Full System?

If you want to know exactly how I grow, cure, and store a boatload of onions and garlic every year in North Texas, I just released an 86-page digital book called Awesome Alliums.

This book is just like one of my comprehensive online courses, but in a concise, self-paced format that’s easy to reference anytime you need it. It covers:

• Choosing the best varieties for North Texas

• When and how to plant

• Soil prep and fertilizing

• Troubleshooting bulb and foliage issues

• Curing, storing, and preserving your harvest

• Creative recipes and storage ideas
  
  

👉 Click here to learn more about Awesome Alliums

Final Thoughts

Believe me, I know it is SO hard to wait patiently for your onions and garlic to fully cure before storing them or using them–especially after waiting so long to harvest them–but your patience will be rewarded. 

If you can't tell if your onions and garlic are fully cured, keep waiting! It can take a season or two of practice to get the hang of it. It's better to leave them curing for a bit longer than to store them or trim them too early.