Found out the best way to store carrots for the winter. The root vegetable stays fresh until the next harvest

It's autumn, it's time to harvest carrots. And summer residents face the question of how to preserve the vegetable until spring, so that it remains fresh and does not lose its taste. Usually, root vegetables are stored in the basement, sprinkled with sand. However, last year I decided to use a new method I had seen at the supermarket. They sold carrots packed in polyethylene. And now I store it only in this way.

Carrot. Illustration for this article is used under a standard license © ofazende.com

Correct harvest

If you want your roots to be well stored, they need to be harvested correctly and on time. Ripening occurs after August 15 to September 10-15. I start cleaning as soon as I notice yellowing of the lower leaves. I choose a dry and clear day. If the root crop sits firmly in the ground, I pry it with a garden pitchfork with blunt ends.

I put the carrots to dry under a canopy: I spread them out in a thin layer and dry them for a day. Before storage, I cut off the tops with a sharp knife, leaving a tail of greens no more than 1 cm.

Selection of carrots

First, you need to sort out the root vegetables and put aside damaged and unstable vegetables:

1. I do not use small carrots for storage
2. I do not store root vegetables of different varieties in one place.
3. I select cut, rotten specimens. They do not last long and will cause disease.

Best practices and storage locations

Carrots will last longer if you follow the storage technology and the rules for the preparation of root crops.

Freezing

First of all, I wash and peel the vegetables. Further steps depend on what you will use the product for, for example:

• for refueling, I rub the root crop on a grater;
• freeze whole specimens for use in baking;
• for stewing, cut into rings, in the form of straws or quarters.

I put the prepared carrot slices in plastic bags or cling film to keep the product in the freezer.

Drying

For drying, you can also use root crops that have not passed the selection. I also wash the carrots, peel and cut out the damaged parts. Then I blanch in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Cut into pieces.

To speed up the drying process, you can use common household appliances:

• oven;
• microwave;
• electric dryer.

Using household appliances, carrots can be dried in 6-12 hours by regularly turning the layers.

Fresh look

Fresh root vegetables are easily stored in the refrigerator on the shelf. In this case, my carrots, but I do not peel them. I put chilled vegetables in bags. They can be stored for two months.

Basement and cellar

If there are a lot of carrots for storage, a cellar or basement is suitable. Here, too, some rules should be followed:

1. Root crops must be sprinkled with sawdust that absorbs moisture.
2. Store in plastic bags in small portions, up to about 3 kg.
3. Make ventilation holes on the bag.
4. Do not seal the bags tightly to avoid condensation.
5. Inspect products weekly and dispose of suspicious root crops.
6. You can save no more than five months.

Suitable microclimate

Each storage method has its own optimal temperature conditions:

• for frozen food in the freezer, the temperature should be between -20 ° C and -22 ° C;
• inside the refrigerator - 0 ° C to +5 ° C;
• dried roots must be kept in a glass container with a tight lid;
• for storage in the basement, ventilation is required, keeping dry, suitable temperature - 0 ° C to +2 ° C.

Basic storage tips

All growers should be aware of some mistakes in cultivation and harvesting. In order not to commit them, read the recommendations for storage and agricultural technology:

1. To grow carrots, you need to select a suitable soil.
2. Root crops cannot stand frequent watering.
3. You cannot fertilize the soil too much, especially do not overdo it with nitrogen.
4. Ripe root crops can crack from a long stay in the ground.
5. The accumulated soil should be shaken off, not scraped off.
6. After drying, the carrots need to be cooled.
7. Sprouted tops must be cut off during storage.

Read also: Top dressing of apple trees in the fall: what fertilizers are best to apply to get a good harvest next year

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