How to store carrots for the winter - advice from an experienced hostess. What is the best way to store carrots in the cellar for the winter, how best to do it at home
How to store carrots is a completely natural question, especially in the autumn winter period... Everyone knows about its usefulness, but storing carrots causes some difficulties not only for beginners. That is why I decided to collect in this article all the useful information on how to store carrots.
You've probably heard that theater begins with a wardrobe. So similarly, the proper storage of vegetables begins from the moment they are harvested. Although, perhaps, even from the choice of a variety of a particular plant, after all, not all varieties are stored in the same way. In the article I will definitely focus on such important points how "when to harvest carrots" and what kinds of carrots are there for long-term storage... By the way, you can learn about the intricacies of growing these useful root crops.
There are some subtleties when collecting this root vegetable and preparing it for storage. I will not talk about harvesting carrots on large plantations, since you are unlikely to sow your entire plot with it alone. Let's talk about an ordinary underground beauty grown in the country or personal plot.
Harvesting carrots and preparing them for storage
When should carrots be harvested? It is best to do this in good weather and when the soil is dry. This will shorten the drying time that is required before storing the root crop.
You can start harvesting after September 15, but since carrots are not afraid of frost, they can be harvested until mid-October.
Before removing the root crop from the ground, it is worth digging up the soil. For these purposes, you can use a shovel, but best of all with a blunt pitchfork, as they will damage the carrots less. If your soil is light, then after digging the roots are easily pulled out of the ground.
Then place the vegetables to dry. If the weather is dry, then a few hours are enough, but if the carrots were harvested on a rainy day, then it will take 1-2 days to dry.
After drying, we clean the carrots from the remnants of the earth, but so as not to damage them. Nothing bad will happen if there is some soil left on the roots.
The next step is to remove the tops. We remove it almost completely, leaving only a few millimeters. We place such carrots for storage.
Another tip. Take whole undamaged root vegetables for long-term storage. Use the rest in the coming months.
Alternatively, you can do this simple blank for the winter:
How to store carrots properly
Among all vegetables, both in industrial and at home, storing carrots causes some difficulties. This is due to the fact that it is very demanding on storage conditions. They must be followed impeccably if you want to get a good result. By the way, did you know that it is better to store carrots and apples in separate rooms? Why this is so, you will learn from the article.
Storage conditions for carrots in winter
The storage room temperature should range from -1 to + 2 degrees, and the air humidity should be close to 90 - 95%. Ventilation is moderate, air access to root crops should be limited.
These harsh storage conditions are associated with the fact that even a slight increase in temperature, fluctuations in humidity and excess oxygen can disturb the dormancy of carrots. Subsequently, it will begin to sprout, wither and rot.
Beets, on the other hand, are easier to store (you can read about that).
Storage methods for carrots
Carrots are very well stored in cellars and basements, as well as pits and piles that do not freeze in winter. Proper storage will help keep her beneficial features and will reduce losses. There are several ways to store carrots, and I'll tell you about them now.
Storing carrots in the basement
1st way Is storage in small boxes.
It is better to choose such boxes so that no more than 20 kg of carrots can be placed there. This storage method will help you save space for other vegetables. Boxes, preferably with dense walls and a lid. These boxes will keep carrots better than containers with holes. The boxes themselves should be installed on a stand, 15-20 cm high above the floor, and at the same distance from each wall.
2nd way- storage in coniferous sawdust. 
In this way, you can store carrots in the same boxes mentioned in the 1st method. If you do not have a suitable container, you can store it in coniferous sawdust simply on shelves or in piles. To do this, at a level of 20 cm from the floor, arrange shelves or piles, which are covered with sawdust. Lay root crops on the sawdust, which also sprinkle with sawdust. Do the same for each row of stacked carrots.
For long-term storage of carrots, it is necessary to take coniferous sawdust. They contain essential oils that prevent germination and rot.
How to store carrots in the cellar?
Method 1 - pyramids or heaps.
It is best to store carrots in the cellar, folded in collars or pyramids. It is desirable that their height does not exceed 1 meter. Pour sand under the bottom row in a layer of 2 cm. Then lay the root vegetables with their heads out and pour the sand again, but 1 cm is enough. Do this with each row of carrots. Note that you need to make sure that the roots do not touch each other. The top layer of sand, as well as sand on the sides of the pyramid or bead, should be sprayed with water as it dries.
Method 2 - carrots in clay clothes. Storing carrots in winter is also possible in a clay shell. Prepare a thick solution of clay and water of the consistency of sour cream, place the roots in this solution for 2-3 minutes and dry. Make sure that the root vegetable is completely covered with such a shell. Carrots prepared in this way, you can store in open boxes or baskets.
How to store carrots at home?
Dry onion skins are useful for storing carrots at home. Lay a layer of husk at the bottom of the box, then carrots and so alternate almost to the top. As stated above, store only whole root vegetables for storage. Place the carrot box in a cold place in your home or apartment. If you store on the balcony, then on very frosty days, cover the box with a blanket or something similar.
How to store carrots in the refrigerator?
Unwashed carrots should be placed in a plastic bag (bag), rolled tightly and put in the refrigerator. To keep it longer, it is better if you put 2-3 root vegetables in one bag. This will prevent excess air and moisture from entering. Before placing the root vegetables in the bag, refrigerate them throughout the day in the refrigerator, uncovered. Otherwise, condensation will form and the carrots will begin to sprout and rot.
Shelf life of carrots
Of course, the shelf life of carrots depends on the chosen storage option.
These are the terms:
- In plastic bags (in the refrigerator) - from 1 to 2 months;
- In a clay shell (in the cellar) - until the new harvest (up to a year);
- In the sand (in the cellar) - from 6 to 8 months;
- In coniferous sawdust (in the basement) - up to a year;
- In closed boxes (in the basement) - from 5 to 8 months.
Carrot varieties for storage
That's all I wanted to tell you today.
Now you know how to store carrots in winter. Take note of how you store your carrots and eat these healthy vegetables until the next harvest. Well, in the spring, sow the seeds of such carrot varieties that are suitable for long-term storage. Better if they are different varieties. How do you store carrots?
P.S. Sowing carrots and “forget” about them until it's time to harvest - is that possible? Yes, this is possible:
I advise, dear readers, not to miss the publication of new materials on this blog.
Experienced summer residents are well aware of the fact that of all the vegetable crops grown on a personal plot, it is most difficult to preserve carrots after harvest for a long period of time.
It is quite possible to enjoy delicious root vegetables throughout the cold season if you know the basic secrets of how to store carrots in the cellar in winter... A responsible approach to this issue and strict adherence to a number of rules will help every summer resident to preserve a valuable crop for a long time.
Cleaning and drying carrots
Traditionally, summer residents prefer to grow late-ripening varieties for long-term storage of carrots, but mid-season species may also be suitable for this purpose. Usually their growing season is more than 120 days, which allows harvesting in the most optimal weather conditions for this.
It is advisable to collect carrots in warm and dry weather, but harvesting of root crops is allowed even with light humidity. In the event that the soil is slightly moistened after a recent rain, the harvested fruits must be dried until they are laid in the cellar.
It is recommended to harvest the late harvest from mid-September and finish no later than the end of October. Even if the carrots have not yet been harvested and the first frost has suddenly come, the root crops can still be considered suitable for harvesting.
It is best to dig out the fruits with a pitchfork, holding each vegetable by the tops. You can also use a small garden trowel to gently lift the roots out of the soil. But it is undesirable to use a large shovel when digging up this vegetable crop, so as not to damage the carrots.
Great care should be taken when digging up root crops with any tool, because even if you slightly damage the skin of a carrot, it will quickly rot.
After harvesting, it is necessary to lay out the root crops on the street, spreading paper. In good weather, only two hours are enough to completely dry the carrots. But in the event that it is damp or even a light rain outside, the harvested crop should be laid out on a dry mat in the garage or house.
Carrots should be placed in one layer to dry them faster and more evenly. It is also highly desirable that the vegetables do not touch each other. If the roots are raw, then it will take several days to dry them.
After the carrots are completely dry, follow these steps:
- to clear the fruits of excess land;
- select root crops damaged during the harvesting process;
- sort carrots by size;
- remove the tops with a knife.
Then the carrots should be quarantined, allowing the delicate peel to grow stronger. Only when all of the above actions are completed, the carrots are considered completely ready for laying for long-term storage.
Proper preparation of the cellar for storage
Carrots are considered one of the most capricious root crops, therefore they require special storage conditions. That is why the basement must be superbly equipped so that the harvested fruits do not deteriorate for a very long time and retain their original attractive appearance.
It is important to create an optimal microclimate in the cellar or basement, because for long-term storage of carrots, constant temperature maintenance is required within 2 ° C with an air humidity of at least 90%. But the ventilation in the room should not be too intense in order to avoid starting the processes of fruit germination.
Before laying root crops, the cellar must be thoroughly dried and disinfected all the shelves, get rid of debris and remnants of last year's harvest. Disinfection is recommended with sulfuric checkers or slaked lime. It is also important to take care of the absence of rodents and all kinds of insects in advance, which are carriers of many infections and diseases.
Only after all the above measures have been taken, it is allowed to lay the harvested crop for long-term storage.
The best ways to store root vegetables
The cellar is considered the best place for bookmarking carrots for long-term storage, because it is there that it is easy enough to create the most optimal conditions for this. After the juicy orange roots are harvested from the garden and dried, you should choose one of the ways to book them for the winter.
Methods for storing carrots in the cellar:
- In wooden boxes with a lid - carrots must be carefully folded into wooden boxes, covered with lids and placed in the basement, retreating a few centimeters from the wall.
- Among onion peel- each carrot must be thoroughly rolled in the husk left after peeling the onion, then put the vegetables in tight bags, which should be tied and lowered into the cellar.
- Between coniferous sawdust - wooden boxes must be filled with sawdust from wood conifers, then lay the root vegetables with the thick end up and sprinkle them on top with wooden shavings again.
- In wet chalk and sand - carrots should be placed in tight wooden boxes filled with clean, slightly damp coarse sand and chalk powder.
- In a chalk solution - each root crop must be moistened in a solution of chalk and water, then thoroughly dried and placed in one layer on the shelves for storage.
- Among the moss - boxes made of any type of wood, it is necessary to carefully lay out carrots and moss in layers, observing a clear sequence.
- In plastic bags - dry root crops are packed in tight plastic bags, at the bottom of which several small holes should be made for condensation to drain, after which the untied bags are lowered into the cellar and placed on a shelf or stand.
If any of the above methods are performed correctly, then the safety of root crops will be quite high. Juicy carrots will be able to remain intact for 5 to 7 months, regardless of the method chosen and will not be susceptible to disease.
Carrot. She tastes like fresh and cooked different ways... The main advantage is not only this.
The vegetable is high in nutrients. It is a storehouse of B vitamins, as well as C, E, H, K, A (beta-carotene). For better absorption, it is recommended to use it with vegetable oil.
This is important for the smooth functioning of almost all organs in the human body - from the heart to the eyes.
You can store carrots at home, on the loggia, in the underground.
It is necessary to be determined, having previously estimated the existing conditions. With all the advantages and disadvantages of different methods, the most common way to store carrots is in the cellar in winter.
Preparation for wintering
How to store carrots in winter? To do this, you need to take care of cleaning it from the garden in a timely manner. The ripening period of a vegetable depends on many conditions.
Having cleared the vegetable from the ground, we first cut off the tops just above the root crop, then the head itself, about half a centimeter. This will protect the vitamin vegetable from germination during winter and extend the winter storage period.
After that, it is important to dry the carrots outside or in a well-ventilated area.
Storage duration
- Boxes with carrots in sawdust or processed clay - all winter;
- Boxes with carrots in the sand - from six months to 9 months;
- Storage of carrots in the cellar, in boxes - from six months to 8 months;
- In plastic bags in the freezer - about 2 months;
- In the garden - all winter.
The time that should be set aside for growing carrots is indicated on the seed bag. Therefore, you do not need to throw it away (or immediately determine the harvest date according to the calendar).
Unripe carrots will be tasteless. Overripe - too sweet and attractive for insects and rodents.
Some summer residents believe that it is much easier to preserve early ripening carrot varieties. The explanation for this is given by the elementary - the longer the root crop ripens, the more vitamins it accumulates.
This makes it sweeter, more aromatic, but at the same time, leads to a quick withering. But there are gardeners who are willing to argue with this.
For a long time, vitamin vegetables, which have ripened on average for 100 days, do not rot. Plus - minus ten days. But it is worth considering the conditions created during the cultivation. The soil should be rich in nutrients, watering should be moderate, fertilization should be strictly according to the instructions.
How many carrots will not lose their qualities depends on a number of factors:
- grade;
- the quality of the preparation of root crops;
- storage temperature;
- moisture percentage;
- protection against pests.
The highest indicators of keeping quality are carrots of varieties Berlikum, Forto and Nuance - 7 months of storage.
Storage methods carrots in winter
Sand vault
Storing carrots in the sand is the most suitable method for those with cool rooms.
You need: water, a box (treated with lime) and sand (preferably clay). It will help prevent your vegetables from drying out and rotting, and will also help maintain a suitable temperature. This will enable the root crops to remain unchanged for a long time without losing their taste.
How to store carrots in the sand? One bucket of sand will take a liter of water. Cover the bottom of the box with damp loam, about 5 centimeters. Carrots are placed on it, leaving a small gap between the roots. Everything is covered with a layer of sand. A new row of vegetables is placed on it, and so on, until the box is full.
Some summer residents use dry sand instead of wet sand. Instead of boxes - ordinary buckets.
Freezer for small crops
Storing carrots at home using a freezer is the simplest way.
Vegetables are chopped using a grater or special electric devices. The resulting mass is laid out in plastic bags and sent to the freezer. This is also true for storing beets.
Bag storage
A cool room and large polyethylene bags are required. We put vitamin vegetables in them.
To prevent them from rotting, you do not need to tie the bags, then the air humidity will average 95% - optimal conditions storage of carrots. Carbon dioxide in unclosed bags, it will be collected in small quantities, which will prevent the process of decay and the development of diseases.
If condensation begins to collect on the polyethylene, then the humidity level in the room exceeds the permissible values.
Slaked lime can improve the situation. It is also called fluff. Spread out next to the bags, it will pick up excess moisture. And the question of how to save carrots for the winter will no longer bother you.
Storage bed
With this option for storing carrots, you do not need to remove them from the garden. Another question is how to trim the tops.
For this, it is best to use garden shears. The ridge is covered with wet sand and covered plastic wrap... Sawdust is spread on it. Dry foliage of trees and shrubs or peat can be used.
Harvest, stored in this way, closer to spring.
Onion and Garlic Storage
Required: boxes, onion and garlic husks. It contains active essential oils that will provide protection against rot.
The husk is laid out at the bottom of the box, carrots on top. We alternate. So you can store not only carrots, but also beets.
Storage pot 
The first step is to trim the carrots.
The second - vertically, tightly to each other, put it in enamel pot, cover with a napkin and a lid on top.
It is better to leave dishes with contents in the cellar for the winter. This is the best way to store carrots.
Sawdust storage
For this method of storing carrots, you will need: sawdust (preferably conifers) and boxes.
Phytoncides, which needles are rich in, prevent root crops from sprouting and tops, and also protect against the development of harmful fungi.
Pour sawdust to the bottom. We spread vegetables on them. Cover with a layer of sawdust and make a new row of carrots and continue until the container is full.
Clay storage
You will need: water, boxes, film and clay.
Covering the vegetable with a thin layer, it creates protection against wilting. We bring the clay with water to a homogeneous mass. From above, again cover the contents of the container with water by about 2 centimeters. We leave the mixture for 3 days.
The bottom of the boxes (you can also use cardboard boxes) is covered with plastic wrap. They can store carrots and beets. They fit without touching each other.
Everything is poured with clay, with a consistency reminiscent of sour cream. After it dries up - again a row of root crops. We repeat the steps until the box is full.
You can act differently. Vegetables are dipped in clay, thick as sour cream. Dry in a warm room. Then they are put into boxes.
Moss storage
Dry, peeled carrots from the ground are laid out in a cool place for a day. Later they put it in a box, where a layer of moss (sphagnum) has already been laid.
Root vegetables are covered with sphagnum and a new row of vegetables is laid on it. Beets can be stored in the same way.
Film storage
How to store carrots in an apartment using cling film?
The answer is simple - each carrot is wrapped in foil, placed in a cardboard box and covered with a piece of natural fabric. Keeping vegetables in a cool place is recommended.
Paraffin storage
We immerse dry root vegetables in hot paraffin. Beeswax can be added to improve elasticity.
We store processed vegetables at an average air temperature of 0 degrees. They will not lose their taste for up to six months.
Miracle - infusion
This question is simple when you know the recipe for a special infusion. You will need: 1 liter of water and 100 gr. onion peels. We combine the ingredients in a glass container. We leave it for five days.
We immerse the carrots in the resulting liquid for a few minutes. Dry thoroughly and put vegetables in a cardboard box without touching each other.
Vegetable storage
How to prepare, store beets and carrots for the winter when the harvest is large?
Use vegetable stores! They make it possible to maintain the required temperature and humidity regime. But, in this case, it is important to get rid of root crops that have even the slightest damage.
Broken and crooked specimens also cannot be put in the general mass. Often, there are containers in vegetable stores. They should be no higher than 3 meters. Otherwise, you will have to regularly ventilate the room and cover the vegetables with burlap or similar materials.
Despite constant concern for the preservation of the crop, at least 20 percent of the crop spoils in winter. This indicator is much less when gardeners use vegetable stores equipped with freezers... But few have such, due to the high cost.
Protecting crops from pests
The storage period will not be shortened if access to vegetables is limited to insects.
How can you achieve this:
- we disinfect the place where the crop will be stored;
- we put a bait for insects or rodents, or a trap, two meters from the boxes with vegetables;
- we use special scarers.
Root crops are often damaged by a carrot fly. This happens even during the ripening period. These vegetables will be difficult to preserve during the winter.
Highly a good option- storage of processed carrots in winter. You can cut out damaged areas and leave the roots in a ventilated area as long as the cut is not sealed by a crust.
Where to store carrots
Storing carrots for the winter at home or in the cellar
Disputes about where and how best to do this are still unabated. In the first case, it will be much easier to store vegetables. But in the second, when choosing the right technology, you can keep the vegetables until spring.
How to store carrots in the cellar?
Despite the fact that this is one of the oldest and most proven methods, novice gardeners often have this question. Carrots, like many vegetables, keep well there. But it is important to comply with the main requirement - the storage should not freeze and water should not collect there.
It is desirable that the room is dark most of the time. Having mastered the simplest rules, the question of how to properly store carrots in the cellar will no longer bother you.
Where to store carrots in the apartment?
The easiest way is to keep her in cardboard boxes, in a dark place, in the coolest room. Hulls, sand or something else will fill the box, depending on what is easiest for the mistress of the house to get.
Harvest and winter storage
The actual question is not only how to properly store carrots in winter, but also how to harvest correctly. These vegetables are not afraid of frost, but it is better to remove them before the onset of cold weather. Otherwise, such a crop will not be stored for long. Vegetables will be juicy if, on the eve of removal from the ridge, they are not watered.
It is important to peel the root crop carefully. Some gardeners wash it before laying it for the winter. Moreover, each fruit separately, under running water. However, many summer residents are convinced that this measure reduces the protective functions of carrots and for a long time after that they do not lie in winter.
For about a week, root crops are stored at an average temperature of 12 degrees Celsius. This time is enough for the cuts and other damage to heal. After this period, the carrots must be carefully sorted out, discarding the spoiled fruits. Slightly damaged ones are suitable for pickling cabbage. After this procedure, the carrots are ready for storage for the winter.
General conclusions
How to store carrots at home?
This question is being asked by many. The best option will become plastic bags. They allow you to maintain optimal humidity throughout the entire storage period. And so that there is no excess of carbon dioxide from carrots in bags, several holes are cut out on them, no more than 1 centimeter in diameter.
Craft bags are also convenient. Harvested crop is selected and cooled, and then placed in bags. You cannot close them. Top of the carrots are covered with sand. It should be wet.
If we are talking about peeled root vegetables, then it is better to immediately think about how to store carrots in the refrigerator. The freezer will noticeably increase the keeping quality of vegetables.
Another important requirement to remember is that a sunny vegetable cannot be kept in the same room with apples and potatoes. It is believed that this leads to the rapid deterioration of all vegetables. First of all, an orange root vegetable. But the neighborhood of beets and carrots is permissible.
Which storage option you would not stop at - in winter at home or in special rooms, it is important to remember that she loves humidity of about 90%, and the air temperature is within 0 degrees.
Even drops of 5 degrees can lead to germination and wilting of the crop. That is why many housewives who do not like difficulties keep winter stocks of carrots in the refrigerator. But this option is not suitable for everyone.
If you are a summer resident, and all spring and summer worked hard to harvest the harvest in the fall, then the issues of its storage are the most urgent for you. And it is useful for everyone else to know how to save carrots until next season, so as not to buy low-quality goods at overpriced prices in stores in winter.
Correct harvesting is the key to success. Water the carrots abundantly before harvesting, water the garden well in a couple of days, and cut the carrot tops to 5 centimeters. This way it will lose less moisture and retain its juiciness. Dig or pull the carrots out of the ground, spread a cloth somewhere in a barn, pantry or other dry, ventilated place, place the carrots on it and let them dry for a couple of days. Carrots should not be washed before storage, so choose a dry day for harvesting to avoid getting wet carrots in the rain. Only the best carrots are suitable for storage, without mechanical damage or pests. Therefore, a careful selection of the carrots to be stored should be carried out. Set aside damaged and withered roots and use them for food right away. They are not subject to long-term storage, they will only spoil the rest of the harvest for you.
Without a summer cottage, you can also save carrots for the whole winter. If you have an insulated loggia, you can use all the tips. Do not forget that its variety also affects the safety of carrots: those root crops whose shape is rounded rather than elongated are better stored, pay attention to this when choosing varieties for planting or buying.
How to store carrots for the winter? Among the methods that are intended for storing carrots, each gardener will find his own, most preferable for him. But first you need to prepare for this and decide, adhering to the right technology... First, we decide on the timing of cleaning.
Despite the fact that this root crop can withstand small frosts, it should not be overexposed in the garden. However, harvesting vegetables too early reduces the consumer qualities of the root crop, preventing it from gaining a sufficient amount of sugars.
And vice versa - staying too long in the garden makes it possible to accumulate sugars in a large number, which makes the root crop very attractive to rodents during further storage.
Therefore, harvesting should be scheduled at a time when the lower 2-3 tops of the tops began to acquire a yellow color - such roots already have good consumer qualities, but will be the least attractive to pests.
Before harvesting, for several days, the garden with root crops is not watered, and when digging, they use a pitchfork that has blunt teeth - this way you will avoid damaging the vegetables.
It begins from this stage. You should not clean carrots from clods of soil by hitting root crops against each other, this entails damage to vegetables and reduces their shelf life.
Equally important is the cooling of root crops immediately after digging up. This usually happens for 1-2 days, until the temperature of vegetable products drops by +1.5 degrees. Timely cooling increases the efficiency of the preservation of root crops.
You can cool in the air if the outside temperature is low enough. But at the same time, it is necessary to monitor the presence of frost so that the temperature of the root crops does not drop below 0 degrees - the frozen vegetables will rot. Good result gives cooling in refrigerator compartment if possible.
Usually, it is enough to stand at the outside temperature for a time when the vegetables are dried, cleaned of soil clods and the tops are trimmed.
Processing carrots before storage consists in the fact that first the tops are trimmed as close as possible to the head of the root crop. This type of pruning allows you to remove buds that can later grow. Immediately lay out the root crops to dry, and then clean the ground with your hands, being careful not to damage them.
After that, root crops are sorted, separating good, healthy specimens from damaged ones and having various defects. Some vegetable growers also use such a method of cutting tops as cutting 0.5-1 cm of the top of the root crop itself.
If this method is used, then the vegetables should be allowed to stand for some time before laying in the main storage location - until the top cut is covered with a crust. Otherwise, the roots will start to rot soon.
Rejected specimens can be processed and stored in a form already prepared for further use. How to keep carrots for the winter? To do this, use the following methods:
- Canning carrots.
Each of these methods will allow the storage of ready-to-eat root crops for a long time, allowing you to preserve all the nutritional qualities of vegetables, although it requires a lot of labor and additional space in the apartment.
Good quality specimens that have no visible defects are stored in a variety of ways.
Depending on what area a vegetable grower has for organizing storage, a place is chosen. How to store carrots for the winter?
Fundamental rules
How to store carrots for the winter? There are no definite recommendations on how best to store carrots for the winter and where. The determining factors for long-term preservation of the crop is compliance with:
- choosing a variety of root crops;
- adherence to training technology;
- temperature regime;
- humidity mode;
- lack of excess oxygen supply;
- protection from pests.
For long-term storage throughout the winter, late-ripening varieties show the best performance. It can be Moscow winter and Shantane. But early ripening varieties show poor keeping quality.
At what temperature should carrots be stored in winter? Temperature conditions are very important. At temperatures that approach zero, metabolism will slow down up to 10 times, which guarantees long-term preservation of root crops. The best temperature should not exceed +10 degrees Celsius. However, it is better to maintain it at a level of +1 - +2 degrees - at a temperature of more than +5 degrees, the kidneys that have not been removed can begin to grow.
No less important is the observance of the humidity regime in storage areas. It should be at the level of 90-95%. Lower humidity will lead to premature wilting of root crops, and higher humidity will cause them to rot. What is the best way to store carrots for the winter?
Storage periods
How long should carrots be stored? Shelf life of carrots in different ways classified as:
- in plastic bags if stored in a refrigerator - from 1 to 2 months;
- in a cellar in closed boxes - up to 5-8 months;
- in the cellar in coniferous sawdust or in a clay shell - until the next harvest;
- in a cellar in the sand - 6-8 months;
- in the garden until the next harvest.
This is in conditions if the pests will be limited in the ability to eat root crops. To prevent them from having such an opportunity, the following measures should be taken:
- set up traps with bait;
- place scarers;
- process the vegetable store and storage areas accordingly.
As another tip, avoid storing carrots in the same room, this will allow you to keep the roots longer.
Also remains controversial issue, is it possible to store carrots with potatoes.
Causes of damage
Why do carrots rot during storage? There can be several reasons for rotting carrots during storage.:
- storage of damaged copies;
- sharp fluctuations in temperature;
- excess moisture;
- non-compliance with storage technology.
That is why you should very carefully adhere to the technology of preparing root crops for storage, starting from the moment you dig up vegetables. Since this type of root crop is very easily damaged by any blows, you should not knock vegetables off the ground, throw them from place to place.
Such damage will be barely noticeable, but later it will become the place where the root crop itself begins to rot and the other root crops nearby are infected with fungal diseases.
A sharp change in temperature during storage leads to the formation of condensation - this gives an impetus to decay of root crops. Storage locations such as bags made of polyethylene are particularly susceptible to this. To eliminate condensation, it is necessary to provide for the presence of holes in the bottom of the bags.
Even a slight freezing of root crops, which can occur even at a temperature of -1 degrees, will lead to subsequent rotting of root crops.
Excessive, as well as insufficient, moisture, shortens the shelf life of root crops. Therefore, it is important to maintain it at the proper level - if it is insufficient, by additional humidification, and if it is excessive, by transferring it to another room, but avoiding temperature fluctuations.
Often non-observance of storage technology leads to excessive formation of carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide has a negative impact on the storage conditions of root crops, therefore, it is necessary to follow the storage technology chosen by the vegetable grower as closely as possible.
Carrot fly
How to save carrots damaged by a carrot fly? Carrot fly is one of those pests that damage root crops even at the stage of their cultivation.... She is a real disaster for all gardeners. Unfortunately, storage of root crops damaged by carrot flies is only possible in processed form.
Sometimes a method is used to remove damaged areas and then allow the vegetables to stand in the air until the area is covered with a crust. However, the shelf life of such vegetables will be significantly reduced.
Therefore, it is better to subject such root crops to immediate processing - drying, drying, freezing or canning. Moreover, modern technology, which is used at home, allows you to do this the best way.
Bookmark in vegetable stores
How to store large quantities of beets and carrots for the winter. Vegetable stores are used to organize the storage of large batches of root crops. And since large consignments are delivered to vegetable stores, as a rule, after mechanized harvesting, the most thorough sorting of root crops should be carried out.
Storing beets and carrots for the winter with the greatest efficiency will help the ruthless removal of damaged, broken, uneven or emaciated specimens from the mass. Modern vegetable stores allow you to maintain the required temperature and humidity conditions.
How to store carrots in winter storage? Usually, carrots are stored in vegetable stores in herds or in special containers. It is desirable that the height of such herds does not exceed 2-3 meters.
If storage is organized in special containers or pallets, then the height of the stack should not be exceeded by more than 5.5 m. In this case, it is necessary:
- carry out constant ventilation of the room;
- cover root crops with burlap;
- implement measures to maintain high humidity air.
To increase the air humidity in the room, containers with water are placed, and spraying of the upper layers of root crops that are in the open air is also used, spilling the passages with water. However, the best performance is shown by vegetable stores, which are equipped with refrigeration equipment.
Unfortunately, such equipment has a high cost, therefore, the organization of storage of carrots with the use of modern technologies carried out on very few farms. The rest will have to come to terms with the loss of the harvest, up to 30% of which does not reach the consumer due to damage.
Now you know how to keep carrots until spring. Root vegetables such as carrots are considered the most difficult vegetable crop for storage. Therefore, it is extremely important to adhere to the technology of all stages of organizing storage, and then for a long time this delicious root vegetable grown by yourself will be on your table.