Tips for storing carrots in winter and the best storage options

If we consider all root vegetables, we can conclude that storing carrots is the most difficult for the winter. For this, gardeners use a cellar, balcony, refrigerator. But what type of storage is best to choose?

Content:

• Preparing the harvest for storage
• Preparing the cellar
• Best Storage Methods

Preparing the harvest for storage

To preserve carrots for a long time, it is initially necessary to properly harvest and prepare it. The root crop ripens differently, depending on what variety was planted. It is recommended to read the instructions on the seed bag.

If carrots are harvested ahead of schedule, they will not have time to ripen and will not be tasty enough. If you keep root vegetables in the ground, then they will accumulate a lot of sugars and amino acids, which attracts pests. But it is not always possible to remember the exact time of harvest ripening. In this case, experienced gardeners advise looking at the color of the tops.

When it starts to turn yellow, then you can start harvesting the carrots. It is not recommended to water before harvesting so that the root crops are juicy. When the carrots have been collected, it is necessary to start trimming the tops. If this is not done, the root vegetables will lose some of their moisture. The tops need to be trimmed in the following order:

• Initially, foliage is removed
• After this, the head of the carrot is cut off.

If you do this pruning, the carrots will not germinate in the winter, so the nutrients will remain in place. This procedure protects the crop from withering and increases shelf life. When pruning has been done, it is necessary to dry the root crops in the sun for several hours. After this, it is recommended to keep the crop for more than a week at a temperature of 10-14 degrees.

Preparing the cellar

Carrots are considered to be root vegetables that are difficult to preserve. To prevent the crop from disappearing, rotting, or drying out, certain storage conditions should be created. The room temperature should range from -2 to +2 degrees. Ventilation should be taken care of, but it should not be too intense, as this will provoke germination.

Experienced gardeners advise not to store the harvest with apples, as they emit ethylene, and this provokes the death of carrots. There must be a certain microclimate in the basement or cellar. The owners must insulate the room in a timely manner, create waterproofing, and protect it from groundwater.

Before storing vegetables, it is necessary to clean the cellar or basement. To do this, garbage and remnants of last year's harvest are removed. If even a small rotten carrot lies in the corner, fresh root vegetables can spoil. Once the room is cleaned, it is recommended to disinfect it.

Best Storage Methods

It is best to leave carrots for storage in a cellar or basement. In such premises it is easy to create the necessary conditions for wintering. The owners need to ensure that the cellar does not freeze. If you provide the right place for storage, then carrots can last a whole year, even until the next harvest.During this time, you can regularly feast on root vegetables that are rich in vitamins.

In order for carrots to last a long time, you still need to adhere to certain storage methods. There are many of them, so each person can choose the appropriate method. Here is a list of the most common and effective methods:

Using wooden boxes. This method is the easiest. Wooden boxes are prepared for it, into which the crop is carefully placed. Filled containers are placed 10-15 cm from the walls, as they can release a small amount of moisture that will harm the carrots. The boxes should not stand on the floor; they should be placed on any stand. In this way, you can compactly place the harvest even in a small room. Experienced gardeners advise not to put more than 20 kg of root vegetables in one box.

Using onion skins. The peel that remains from the onion can be used for various purposes, including storing carrots. It is folded into bags, which also contain root vegetables. The husk will absorb excess moisture and create protection against decay and harmful microorganisms.

The main thing is that each carrot is covered with this material. To do this, the crop is placed in bags in layers, alternating root crops with husks. At the end, everything needs to be tied up well and placed in the cellar.

Using pine needle sawdust. To do this, it is also necessary to lay the crop in layers. The needles contain phenolic substances that protect carrots from diseases and rot. For this method, boxes or any containers are used.

Some gardeners pour sawdust indoors, lay out the crop on it, which is covered with another layer of pine needles on top. But sawdust must not be poured onto the floor or near walls.

With the help of sand.First you need to pour a good layer of sand onto the shelves or floor. Next, carrots are laid out, which are covered with sand. After this, you need to lay out the root vegetables again, adhering to the checkerboard order. The second layer of the crop is covered with sand.

The procedure continues until the pyramid reaches 1 meter. You need to make sure that the sand is not excessively wet or dry, and that the carrots do not touch each other. It is recommended to use sifted and disinfected sand.

Using plastic bags. This method is considered not the most effective. But, if a person has no other choice, he can use it. To do this, dry carrots are placed in durable polyethylene bags and left in the cellar on a stand or shelf. It is necessary to make a few holes at the bottom of the bags so that excess moisture can escape. The bags do not need to be tied.

In a refrigerator. Carrot wrapped in cling film and placed in the vegetable compartment. But using this method it is impossible to preserve many root vegetables. In addition, you can store carrots in the freezer. To begin with, it is grated, placed in bags and frozen. You can take out already prepared carrots at any time.

So, in order for root vegetables to be preserved for a long time throughout the winter, it is necessary to create suitable conditions and adhere to certain storage methods. If everything is done correctly, the carrots will sit for a long time.

Video about proper storage of carrots: