As soon as autumn comes and the entire crop is harvested from the site, the gardeners face the task of how to save vegetables for the winter, especially potatoes, because not everyone has a cellar. Do not worry: you can leave potatoes on the balcony for the winter, you just need to create optimal conditions for these purposes. And now we will talk about this in more detail.
Suitable conditions for storing root crops in winter
The optimum storage temperature should be around + 2-4 ° C. Such a regime does not cause the formation of sprouts, and, moreover, the roots do not freeze.
It is necessary to choose the right time for harvesting potatoes. A fully ripe crop is well preserved.
In the cellar, the humidity should be no more than 70-80%. Excess moisture causes mold, and with a lack of moisture, the taste of potatoes deteriorates. To avoid this, dry the air in the room or apply additional ventilation.
Experienced gardeners recommend storing potatoes in the same cellar with beets, since they significantly mitigate the effect of moisture changes on root crops.
To regulate excess humidity, you can place dishes in the room with quicklime or any moisture-absorbing substances.
There should be no constant light in the storage area, because the vegetables begin to turn green and cannot be eaten.
Potato response to temperature
If there is a violation of the temperature regime during storage, then the crop deteriorates. At elevated temperatures, sprouts appear on the potatoes, and the roots become soft. With a colder setting, the product loses its taste, it becomes sluggish and strongly sweet.
Store fully ripe potatoes with a densely formed skin; such root vegetables are better suited to temperature fluctuations.
The minimum storage temperature must be at least 0 ° C. At minus values, the stocks freeze, and such potatoes are not recommended to be eaten.
Storing vegetables on the balcony
In urban conditions, a balcony can also be a good storage place. It is only necessary to follow some rules so that the crop is fully preserved and does not waste its qualities.
Arrangement of a balcony for storing potatoes
The balcony must certainly be glazed. Products should be positioned so that they are not exposed to sunlight and moisture. In the warm season, potatoes will be stored easily, but night frosts in the fall can be harmful.
It is recommended to choose a suitable container for placing products. You can use an insulated box or an old refrigerator. A thermal cabinet is best suited. However, it will need to be supplied with electrical power.
For long-term storage, you need to organize regular ventilation and the correct implementation of the humidity regime.
What temperature should be on the balcony so that the potatoes do not freeze
No additional protection is needed on the insulated balcony. Vegetables can be stored there even in severe frosts.
The temperature must be monitored, it must not fall below -1 ° C. If the stable temperature on the balcony is above 0 ° C, then food can be stored in boxes, bags or nets.
Storage tips
As far as the potatoes are properly prepared for storage, they will transfer the winter time.
First, you need to sort it out and dry it. Vegetables must not be damaged.
Seed material must be stored separately. To do this, choose the healthiest potatoes.
Before storing potatoes, it is useful to keep them warm for a week at a temperature of + 15-18 ° C. For this, a barn, a summer veranda are suitable. With this method, all the taste qualities are preserved in vegetables for a long time.
You can treat tubers with copper sulfate (2 g / 10 l of water). Spray, using this method you can increase the resistance of root crops to decay.
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