Sounds like you’ve come up with a great solution. The red sets/plants that we sold @ Jung’s that were the best for storage were called ‘Redwing.’
I remember Gary growing them out one season and he, too, had onions well into the following spring. He hung them in his unheated garage and took one as he needed it. If an onion can keep well in a garage through a Wisconsin Winter, it’s a winner. :)
“(105-120 Day) The longest-keeping red storage onion. Bulbs store nearly as well as Patterson Hybrid. The glossy dark red, 3 to 4 inch, globe-shaped onions are moderately pungent, very firm and have good skin retention. Tops grow upright and strong. Enjoy them cooked or fresh all winter. Long-day.”
https://www.jungseed.com/product/J02755/551
‘Long day’ means they can be grown in the north.
Yes, I only grow long day onions.
And I understand that the hybrids are good for storage, but I want to be able to save seeds because I don’t trust anyone any more and if seeds cannot be had, as in some places during the Covid lockdowns, that gives TPTB the ability to control the food supply.
I’d rather be more self-sufficient.
I did find about a dozen left over ones that were starting to sprout, so they’re going in the garden sometime today or tomorrow and I’m going to let them go to seed and save the seeds.