Wood and Welded Wire Frame - Onion storage

  Howard's wire frame with Ginkgo seeds drying

During a radio show recently a caller asked about a way to store onions after harvest so they'd keep without being put in the refrigerator. Howard described a frame made of 2x4s and welded wire screen that would contain the onions but let air circulate. He made a sketch and had it posted on the Facebook page so listeners could see the box he had in mind.

  Sketch of onion frame design. Right, homemade compost sieve.

This frame is the kind of open box that can be used to stack in several levels to store onions, garlic, potatoes, or more, or in the garden to sieve compost or soil or even to sort small gravel. It can also be used when a garden is being turned over and you want to catch the stray small bulbs.

  Another view of drying frame (left) and a reinforced frame to sort lumps from compost

It's the kind of item a gardener invents in their garden shed with scraps of lumber and screen for a tray where air can circulate or serve as a sturdy sieve. 1/2 inch hardware wire is sold in modest-length rolls and is easy to find in hardware or garden centers. Use pieces of 2x4s and hold the hardware cloth in place with staples, wrap the sides of the frame and hold it down between layers of wood screwed down over the edges. Or invent your own way to hold the welded wire screen on the frame.

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