Every gardener knows that it is one thing to grow crops, but quite another to keep it. After all, if the sprouts begin to deteriorate, time and effort that have been invested in the garden throughout the season, lost in vain. That is why, it is necessary to pay special attention to the preparation and storage. And it is not at all simple.
In this article I want to talk about how to keep the cabbage in an apartment with a balcony. At the cottage I have a basement, but to go there in the winter is very problematic. (The roads in horticulture clean bad, land of snow did not come. Yes, and travel also costs money.)
Start preparing cabbage for storage is necessary at the stage of collection.
1. Properly harvest
It is said that the shelf life is strongly dependent on the variety of cabbage. Therefore, if you decide to stock up on cabbage for the winter, it is better to select such varieties as "hibernation", "bun" or "kryumon".
Long shelf life will only be collected on time, healthy fruit. Do not let the sprouts grow. If you do not know when it is best to harvest contact the horticultural market. There you will talk in detail about the timing of maturation of specific varieties. If the sprouts start to crack - you're late. Such fruits fresh for a long time can not be stored. It is better to send them to the food once or roll up in banks.
As with any other vegetables, cabbage should be collected only in dry weather in the afternoon. (Morning and evening on the fruit may be profuse mildew)
So how long are stored only whole, undamaged vegetables during the harvest cabbage can not throw and put in a huge pile. Cabbages under its own weight may begin to deform.
2. Selected applicants for storage
After the crop is harvested, the cabbage to be sorted into two groups. First go to the store, the second will be used now! (In food, in cans, etc.)
The group, which will go to the store, select only the strong and healthy cobs. They should be:
- cracks;
- Dark spots;
- Dents or traces of compression;
- looseness;
- Traces of freezing;
In addition, cabbage should not be "overgrown". Unnaturally large heads of cabbage are perishable and can not be stored for a long time.
3. Prepare cabbage for storage
Remove a lot of the upper leaves from the cabbage is not worth it. Are cut off only those that just "weigh", withered or were severely damaged. It should be understood that the leaves are a natural protective layer.
If the cabbage has minor damage, but you are sure to head out for a long time will be stored - damage neatly cut. However, I recommend not to send the deposit of the cabbage, which had "shortcomings."
The stem is cut in the same level with the lower leaves.
Next head tightly wrapped with cling film (You can buy in any supermarket or grocery store). Once the head is wrapped, flatten hands film eliminating all voids and folds. Our packaging should fit snugly to the leaves.
4. Choose the place and conditions
The only place in the home where you can store cabbage - a loggia. (In the refrigerator up little space, and in the pantry temperature is too high)
Fold the cabbage in a box no more than 3-4 rows on top of each other in order to avoid too much pressure onto the lower cabbages.
If loge temperature falls below 0 degrees, better insulate foam boxes or other construction material. Otherwise, you can freeze the harvest.
Do not forget to check out the cabbage during storage time. Cabbages, which have started to spoil, you need to immediately remove from the box and send in food. If you follow these simple rules, cabbage will be fresh and strong until the spring.
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