How to store carrots in bags for the winter. Ways to store carrots in the cellar in the winter

Carrots are a biennial plant that can be at a low temperature in a state of shallow dormancy. But under favorable conditions, its growth is rapidly activated. The state of forced rest is required to complete the degenerative processes of development. In the spring, after some time of storage, sprouts are formed. These are the beginnings of future generative shoots.

Carrots are considered an agricultural crop. It can be used both fresh and for storage and processing. For storage, it is preferable to grow late. In addition, only those root crops that meet the following requirements can be stored:

• correct form;
• high yield;
• good tenacity.

Is it possible to keep the root crop in the ground?

This method is very often chosen by those gardeners who do not have a basement. In the ground, with proper preparation of root crops and arrangement of the pit, storage will be long.

Harvesting grades

Only late varieties of carrots can be stored in the ground. The following types are considered the most popular:

Site Requirements

For storage in an earthen pit, vegetables are needed without damage, signs of decay and deviations from the norm as excessively thin or twisted root crops. If you properly store the harvested carrot crop in the ground, then it will be able to retain its taste and appearance until spring.

The selected site must comply with the following standards:

• in the garden there should be no various soil diseases;
• in spring, the site should not be flooded with melt water;
• a plot with an abandoned crop should not interfere with spring work in the garden.

How to save a vegetable until spring?

In the garden

This method has the following features:

Further snowfalls will provide additional protection from the cold climate, and after melting, the root crops will be in perfect condition. Pay special attention to the protection of carrots from rodents. These animals will not miss the opportunity to eat delicious vegetables in winter. For protection, it is required to use spruce branches as insulation. It is enough just to scatter them over the surface of the insulating layer.

Watch the video on how to store carrots right in the garden.

in the hole

This method involves storing the harvested crop in an organized pit dug on the site.

Reference! It is necessary to observe not only the technology of organizing a storage place, but also the removal of root crops from the ground, and preparing them for laying.

All these rules are completely simple, while they help to preserve the crop for a long time with good quality indicators. First you need to carry out a number of preparatory activities:

Now you can proceed to the selection of vegetables for laying in the pit. Small specimens are suitable for this. The next step is to prepare the site for the bookmark. You need to choose a place that is not subject to flooding by melt water in the spring. When the root crops are selected, you can proceed to bookmark them for storage.

Important! Additionally, install scarers and traps that contain poison. This will protect the vegetables from pests.

The procedure is as follows:

1. Dig a hole. Its depth in areas where winters are mild and there is no deep freezing of the soil should not exceed 30-35 cm. In those regions where winters are severe, the depth of the pit should not be less than 50-60 cm. The width for both cases will be 50 cm.
2. Lay coarse sand at the bottom of the pit. The layer thickness is 2-5 cm. The sand prevents contact with the ground and provides air exchange.
3. Lay a layer of roots. Cover them with sand until there is 10-15 cm left for the edge of the pit.
4. Cover with earth so that the top layer extends 8-10 cm above the edge of the pit. If the winter is severe, then the top earthen layer can be 50 cm thick.
5. Now you can move on to warming. For these purposes, leaves from trees, peat, sawdust, spruce branches are used.

In the ground - this is an effective way to keep vegetables safe and sound until next spring, for this purpose, you can put carrots directly on the garden bed or prepare a hole for it. In terms of execution, this method is simple and does not take much time., although it requires compliance with all points. The method for storing beets is similar.

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How to store carrots until a new harvest so that it:

• did not give sprouts;
• did not rot;
• remained juicy;
• Has it lost its taste?

Storing carrots has always given a lot of trouble to the summer resident. Whatever you say, keeping this root crop fresh without proper conditions is not easy. The inventive minds of gardeners have come up with many ways to store carrots: in the cellar, on the balcony, in the refrigerator and directly in the beds.

We offer you 8 proven options for storing carrots. Choose the most suitable, focusing on your conditions, the complexity of the process and the availability of materials.

Keeping quality, that is, the ability of carrots to be stored for a long time, depends on several factors. First of all, from the variety, from the region of cultivation, from weather conditions.

It would seem that late-ripening varieties should be stored best of all. This is a well known rule. In southern regions with warm summers, this rule really works. But in the Middle lane and in other regions where summer weather is unstable, late carrots do not ripen. Not in time for a short cold summer. It has to be harvested unripe, and unripe vegetables are not well stored by definition.

It turns out that the best varieties of carrots for storage will be mid-ripening, which ripen in 100-110 days. Here are some of them: Moscow Winter, Gribovchanin F1, Valeria, Monanta, Chance, Canada F1, Tsirano, Mango F1, Typhoon, Nanteyska, Samson, Nandrin F1, Rosal, Nantes 4, Nerac F1, Incomparable, Nevis F1 and the like.

The right choice of variety is not the only condition for a good preservation of the carrot crop. Agricultural technology also matters. For the keeping quality of root crops, it is important to pay attention to:

• soil type and fertility. Carrots prefer slightly acidic or neutral loose soils. She does not need any special fertilizers, it is quite enough after harvesting.
• watering frequency. We water the carrots over everything, the main of which is better less often, but deeper.
• nitrogen content. An excess of nitrogen in the soil reduces the storage capacity of root crops. If you apply nitrogen fertilizers, do it in moderation in the first half of summer.

Preparing carrots for long-term storage

Proper and timely cleaning is the key to good keeping quality of any vegetable. So it is important to remove carrots on time: not earlier and not later.

The ripening period of carrots depends on the variety. As a rule, they are indicated on the package with seeds. Save the bag or calculate the expected harvest day in advance (in the spring). Why is this needed? Carrots pulled out of the garden ahead of time do not ripen, do not have time to accumulate a sufficient amount of sugars. This negatively affects both the taste and the ability to be stored all winter. In carrots overexposed in the garden, on the contrary, an excess of sugars and amino acids is found. It turns into a tasty morsel for pests - carrot fly larvae, mice and rats. But overripe vegetables are no longer suitable for long-term storage.

If you still do not know exactly when to harvest carrots, focus on the color of the tops. As soon as the lower leaves begin to turn yellow, the carrots are ready for harvesting.

In order for the root crops to remain juicy for a long time, they should not be watered on the eve of digging. It was a warm, dry and sunny day - you can't imagine better for harvesting carrots.

Pruning carrots after harvest

Immediately after harvesting, the tops of the carrots are cut off. Otherwise, it will draw some of the moisture from the roots during drying.

Pruning carrot tops can be carried out in two stages:

• first we cut the leaves just above the head of the root crop,
• then completely cut off the base of the carrot (0.5-1 cm thick) together at the growth point. The cut must be even and smooth.

Cardinal pruning does not allow carrots to germinate in winter, wasting precious nutrients, prevents wilting of fruits, and ensures their best storage.

So, as soon as we cut the tops, we send the carrots to ventilate under a canopy in the shade. Then, within 7-10 days, carrot roots are recommended to be kept at a temperature of 10-14°C. During this time, she, like her, goes through a kind of "quarantine". This means that the places of cuts and minor mechanical damage are tightened, sick and spoiled root crops make themselves felt.

When the time comes to clean the carrots in storage, we once again inspect and sort out the root crops. All damaged ones, with wormholes, with traces of the presence of a carrot fly, are put aside. They are best eaten first or frozen grated for winter consumption.

We still have the best sufficiently mature root crops, of a suitable variety, without defects and signs of disease. Our carrots are ready for long-term storage.

Choosing where and in what to store carrots

We know eight ways to properly store carrots so that they remain juicy, do not rot or sluggish. To do this, it is covered with wet sand or sawdust, dipped into clay or pack into polyethylene, overlay moss or onion skins. And also rammed in pots or even leave in the garden until spring.

Method number 1. How to keep carrots in the sand

We will need: sand (preferably loamy, not river), water and boxes.

Storing carrots in the sand is very popular among summer residents who have cool cellars, undergrounds, and garage pits. And it is not surprising, because sand reduces the evaporation of moisture from carrots, prevents the development of putrefactive diseases, and ensures a constant temperature. All this contributes to the excellent keeping quality of root crops.

The sand must be wet, one liter of water is used to moisten each bucket of sand. Then the prepared sand is poured onto the bottom of the box with a layer of 3-5 centimeters. Then lay the carrots so that the root crops do not touch each other. Carrots are covered with a layer of sand, and then the next layer is laid out, etc.

Some gardeners prefer to use dry sand instead of wet sand and buckets instead of boxes.

Method number 2. Storage of carrots in sawdust

We will need: coniferous sawdust and boxes.

Sawdust from coniferous trees is another great filler for boxes with carrots. Phytoncides in the needles prevent the germination of root crops and prevent the penetration of pathogenic fungi and bacteria.

In the same way as when sanding, carrots must be laid in boxes in layers, sprinkling each layer with sawdust.

Method number 3. How to store carrots in plastic bags

We will need: film bags with a capacity of 5 to 30 kg.

Plastic bags with carrots are kept open in cool rooms. The air humidity in such bags is automatically set at an optimal level of 96-98%. Therefore, carrots do not wilt.

In addition, carrot roots emit carbon dioxide during storage. In open bags, it accumulates a small amount. However, it is quite enough to prevent diseases. If the bags are tied up, the carbon dioxide content will be several times higher than the oxygen concentration. And the carrots go bad. If you still want to store root vegetables in closed bags, be sure to make holes for ventilation.

During storage, condensation may form on the inner surface of the bags - this indicates high humidity in the storage. Then, next to the bags in which the carrot lies, fluffy lime is scattered. Lime perfectly absorbs excess moisture.

Method number 4. Storage of carrots in clay

We will need: clay, water, crates or cartons, plastic wrap, garlic (optional).

Clay forms a thin protective layer on the surface of the root crop, which protects it from wilting during the winter. Very effective, but quite laborious option. The technology for processing carrots with clay before storing them is as follows:

Option 1. Filling with clay

We take half a bucket of clay and fill it with water. A day later, the swollen clay is thoroughly mixed and poured with water again. Within 3-4 days, the clay is in this state, under a layer of water 2-3 cm. Before use, it should acquire the consistency of sour cream.

It's time to line the bottom of the boxes with cling film and lay out the first layer of carrots so that the fruits do not touch each other. Pour liquid clay onto the roots. And when the clay dries, lay out the carrots again and fill it with clay again. Clay dries - the process is repeated. And so on to the end, to the very top of the box.

Option 2. Dipping in clay

Here we must prepare two talkers in advance: garlic and clay.

Garlic mash is prepared as follows: 1 cup of garlic must be scrolled through a meat grinder, then dilute the “minced meat” in two liters of water.

To get a clay "talker" it is necessary to dilute the clay with water to the consistency of thick sour cream so that it cannot then drain from the root crops.

So, we lower the unwashed carrots first into the garlic, and then into the clay mash. We lay out our crop to dry in a well-ventilated area (on the veranda, in the attic, under a canopy). Then we put the dried carrots in the "clay shell" in wooden boxes or cardboard boxes.

Method number 5 Storing carrots in moss

We will need: wooden or plastic boxes, sphagnum moss.

Unwashed and sun-dried carrots are first kept in a cool room for a day, and then placed in boxes, alternating layers of carrots with layers of sphagnum moss.

Moss has a kind of preservative properties, keeps the necessary amount of carbon dioxide inside. In addition, unlike sand and clay, moss is a light material that does not add extra weight to boxes of carrots.

Method number 6. Storing carrots in pots

We will need: large enamel pots.

After harvesting, the carrots must be washed well, cut off the tops and “tail”, and dried in the sun.

Then the root crops are tightly stacked vertically in the pan, a napkin is placed on top of them and the pan is covered with a lid. All pots with carrots are recommended to be kept in a cool cellar - then the carrots will lie perfectly until the new harvest.

Method number 7. How to store carrots in onion skins

We will need: boxes, onion and garlic husks.

This method of storing carrots is based on the same principle as storage in coniferous sawdust. Essential oils from onion and garlic scales prevent root rot.

Therefore, carrots do not deteriorate for a long time if they are laid in layers, after having been sprinkled with dry onion and garlic husks, which remained after harvesting these crops and accumulated over the winter.

Method number 8. Storage of carrots in the garden

Some gardeners leave part of the carrot harvest to winter directly in the garden, then to dig it up in the spring and eat it all summer until the new harvest.

The tops of carrots left for storage in the garden are completely cut off. Then the bed is covered with wet coarse sand and covered with a film.

Sawdust, fallen leaves, peat or humus are poured on top of the film, and then the bed is covered with roofing felt or another layer of film. Under such shelter, carrots tolerate the winter cold well and remain fresh and tasty.

A few more original ways to store carrots

Cling film for storing carrots

Pre-washed and trimmed carrots are wrapped in cling film, trying to ensure that each carrot is completely wrapped and does not come into contact with the “neighbors”. In this form, carrots are stored for several months at home: in boxes on an insulated balcony.

Spraying root crops before storage

Root crops are stored well if they are pre-sprayed with an infusion of needles or onion peel. We take 100 grams of husks or needles, pour a liter of water and insist 5 days. Such an infusion can not only be sprayed, carrots can be immersed in it for 10 minutes, dried and stored.

Storage of carrots in paraffin

An unusual folk way of storing carrots in paraffin. Clean and dried root crops are dipped in hot paraffin with the addition of a small amount of beeswax for elasticity. This treatment allows you to store carrots for 4-5 months at a temperature of 0-2°C. It will remain tasty and juicy.

Chalk keeps carrots from spoiling

Carrots can be dusted with chalk at the rate of 150-200 grams of chalk per 10 kilograms of carrots. There is another option - immerse the roots in a 30% chalk suspension, and then dry well. The chalk layer creates a weak alkaline environment, thereby preventing root crops from rotting.

Freezing as an option for storing carrots

If your carrot crop is small and you have a freezer, it makes sense to grind most of the carrots with a food processor and freeze in ordinary plastic bags.

Carrots are a very useful and widespread vegetable. Orange crispy root vegetable is a real pantry of vitamins and microelements necessary for health and beauty. In summer and autumn, we can enjoy fresh fruits of carrots directly from the garden, the benefits from them are maximum at this time. But with the onset of cold weather, a problem arises: how to store carrots at home in winter in order to preserve the beneficial substances contained in it?

Ways to store carrots

To store carrots, you need a certain temperature regime and humidity, and a stable temperature is preferable, without drops and fluctuations. In winter, the ideal microclimate for storing root crops can only be created in the cellar, it is + 1- + 3 degrees with an air humidity of 90-95%.

You can store carrots:

• in wooden boxes in the sand;
• in coniferous sawdust;
• in a clay mash;
• in plastic bags.

Sometimes summer residents also use alternative storage methods, for example, they make piles. First, the carrots are prepared for storage, the tops are cut off, the roots are dried. They are laid in a small depression in the ground, covered with sawdust or straw. From above, the collar is covered with earth. Be sure to put a pipe or vent, which prevents the appearance of condensate in the storage. With this method of storage, carrots are juicy, as if only from the garden.

The best varieties of carrots for winter storage are Shantane, Losinoostrovskaya, Vitaminnaya and others. All of them are late-ripening varieties, have an oblong conical shape and firm flesh. Early ripening varieties are best used for making salads and pickling cabbage.

Interesting! Carrots were originally grown for their spicy green leaves and seeds. In Europe, the root crop appeared around the 13th century. In terms of prevalence in the world, carrots occupy one of the first places among a huge number of vegetables. She is equally loved in Africa, and in Australia, and in Europe.

How to store carrots in an apartment

If there is no basement or pantry, the harvest of vitamin root crops can be saved in the apartment. We have already found out at what temperature to store carrots, from this it is clear that you can store the root crop on the balcony in cool, but not frosty weather. It is recommended to hang a thermometer near the carrot box to see the actual air temperature. And if the temperature drops below -1 degrees - it's time to take the vegetables to a warmer place or cover the box tightly.

Storage of carrots in the sand on the balcony

To store carrots on the balcony, you need a wooden box. It is easy to choose such a box in a hardware store, but you can also make it yourself from improvised materials or adapt an old kitchen cabinet under it.

For home storage of carrots, a top-loading vegetable box will be more convenient, that is, the door should be on top. It is better to choose a box or make it deep enough to lay out the carrots in rows and sprinkle it with sand. To build a box with your own hands, you need to choose a place on the balcony for storing vegetables, calculate the size of the future container. Put together a frame from boards, plywood or slabs, fix the door on top.

How to Prepare Carrots for Sand Storage

For storage, you need to choose dense, even root crops without damage, wormholes and greenery. Carefully cut off the tops and the top of the vegetable with a knife. Peel the root crops from the ground, but do not wash, dry in a cool room. Prepare clean sand at the rate of 2-3 buckets of carrots 1 bucket of sand.

How to properly store carrots in the sand:

1. Pour a small layer of sand on the bottom of the box.
2. Lay out a row of carrots. It is more practical to spread the root crops in a checkerboard pattern, the tail is the spout. Vegetables should not touch each other.
3. Fill a row of carrots with sand, filling the gaps between the root crops.
4. Alternate rows of carrots and sand, the last row is sand.

Storage of carrots in a cardboard box

With the help of newsprint and a regular cardboard box, you can save root crops in the apartment for several weeks. Carefully fold dry carrots into a cardboard box, shifting each root crop with newsprint. Put the closed box in a cool utility room. A pantry or balcony is quite suitable. The disadvantages of this method are that carrots are stored for a limited time, then wither and dry out.

Storing carrots in bags for the winter

If it is not possible to store carrots on the balcony, you will have to save them in the refrigerator in bags. Here is the answer to the question: whether to wash carrots before storage, unambiguously in the affirmative. Clean, dried root crops in plastic bags are stored better than unwashed ones. The earth in a humid environment contributes to the appearance of mold and an unpleasant odor. And clean dry carrots packed in bags can be stored in the vegetable compartment for 1-2 months. The disadvantages of this storage method are the small volume of vegetables, as well as the need to constantly review products for rot. Rotted specimens infect neighboring root crops, and the rot spreads very quickly in the bag.

Important! When packing carrots in plastic bags, make sure the vegetables are cool and dry. Warm root crops in plastic bags form condensate, which can provoke the development of pathogenic flora and rotting.

Storing carrots by freezing

Freezing carrots is a very convenient original way. Preparatory measures require time, but then the hostess always has a carrot ready for use at hand. So, peel the carrots, wash and dry. Then grate or cut into slices - as you like. Pack in small bags for ease of use or food storage containers. Carrots frozen in this way are used to make vegetable side dishes and soups.

Shops and markets all year round offer carrots of various varieties grown in all corners of the world. But I want my own - sweet, crispy, natural (without all kinds of chemicals), with a pleasant vegetable smell. This one can be eaten if you grow it yourself. But carrots are vegetables that are poorly stored, quickly lose moisture, dry out, and more often just rot in the middle of winter. How to save carrots? What are the reasons for its rapid deterioration during storage? How can storage be extended? This is our publication.

How to properly store carrots? © YENİ.MOBİ

• grow only zoned varieties of carrots;
• comply with all the requirements of agricultural technology (crop rotation, sowing time, watering, fertilizing, protection against diseases and pests);
• do not use late varieties of carrots for storage. The latter do not have time to mature, to accumulate enough sugars and fiber. It is especially important to comply with this requirement in regions with a short warm period. Medium, medium-late varieties of different ripening periods are better stored.

When laying carrots for storage, careful preparation of storage and containers, compliance with storage conditions is necessary.

Requirements for the storage conditions of carrot roots

It is very important to choose a suitable storage method and prepare the storage location.

You can store carrots in specially equipped basements, vegetable pits, in apartments on insulated balconies and loggias, and in other equipped places. Regardless of the storage method, the following conditions must be met:

• air temperature within +1…+2°С.
• air humidity 85…90%.

The optimum storage temperature is 0…+1°C. At such temperatures, the humidity in the storage can be raised to 90-95%. It is impossible to reduce the temperature to -1 ° C and below, since the tissues of the root crop freeze through and begin to rot, become moldy, and above + 2 ° C they germinate with filamentous roots, and are intensely affected by fungal diseases.

Ways to store carrots

Best and longest of all, carrots are stored in river, dry, sifted sand. To disinfect from fungal and other infections, it is subjected to calcination or heating at a high temperature (root crops often rot in wet sand). Some gardeners advise taking not river sand, but loam, but it is more difficult to disinfect it.

In addition to sand, dry coniferous sawdust, onion peel, wood ash, and chalk are used to transfer root crops during storage. Carrots are only powdered with ash and chalk for disinfection and against the spread of rot. It is most convenient to store carrots in soft containers.

Consider some ways to store carrots in more detail.

Root crops can be stored directly in a pile of sand (no pebbles). With a limited area allotted for winter storage of vegetable products, it is better to store carrots in boxes. The container is selected for a mass of carrots of 10-25 kg. Wooden containers are disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate or whitened with freshly slaked lime. Dry and lay the carrots so that the roots do not touch. Each row of carrots is sprinkled with sand prepared in advance.

Some gardeners even pre-moisten the sand at the rate of 1 liter of water per bucket of sand and mix it thoroughly.

Storage of carrots in the sand. © New Life on a Homestead

Storage of carrots in other fillers

Instead of sand, fillers made from dry coniferous sawdust or dry onion peel can be used to store carrots. Methods for preparing containers and storage conditions are the same as with sand filler. Coniferous sawdust and onion peel contain phytoncides, which prevent rotting and premature germination of root crops.

Sphagnum moss carrot storage use

The container needs to be disinfected. In this case, it is better not to wash the carrots, but simply dry them a little in partial shade (not in the sun). Warm root crops should be cooled and only then placed in a prepared container, alternating rows of carrots with dry sphagnum moss. Moss has antiseptic properties, easily retains the required amount of carbon dioxide. Stored healthy carrots produce virtually no waste. Light weight moss does not weigh down boxes with root crops, such as sand or sawdust.

Dipping carrots in clay mash

If there is no sand, sawdust, onion peel, you can use this method. Before storage, carrots are dipped in a clay mash (aqueous creamy suspension), dried and transferred to a disinfected container. The clay must be clean, free of impurities of soil, roots, weeds, etc. Not every root crop can be dipped, but the entire box or basket can be immediately lowered into the clay suspension.

After draining excess mash, the container is placed on low racks or stands and dried for 1-2 days with enhanced ventilation (for faster drying of the mash on root crops and container walls). With this method, root crops are protected from wilting and rot.

Clay in the preparation of the talker can be replaced with chalk. Processed root crops are sometimes additionally sprinkled with sawdust - preferably coniferous. Their phytoncides kill pathogenic fungi, stopping the putrefactive process.

Storing carrots in a bag

Polyethylene bags

More often, gardeners prefer to store carrots in plastic bags or sugar bags with a capacity of 5 to 20 kg. Bags of carrots are stacked tightly in one row on racks, kept open. A sufficient amount of oxygen enters the root crops, little carbon dioxide accumulates. When the neck is tied in bags, the carbon dioxide content can rise to 15% or more. Under such conditions, carrots deteriorate faster (within 1.5-2 weeks).

In polyethylene bags, moisture appears on the inner walls at high humidity. If the humidity is lowered, the dew disappears. The natural humidity inside an open plastic bag with root crops ranges from 94-96%. Such conditions are optimal. Carrots do not wilt and keep well enough. The loss does not exceed 2% of the planted mass of root crops.

Sugar bags

Such bags often have an inner polyethylene lining, which causes moisture to accumulate and vegetables to rot. Therefore, before laying the carrots, several small cuts are made in them (necessarily in the lower part of the bag) for better air exchange and a decrease in the concentration of carbon dioxide, and the neck is tied loosely or even left half open. Root crops are sprinkled with ash or chalk (as if pollinated before laying). The rest of the care for storing carrots is the same as in plastic bags.

Not all varieties of carrots are suitable for long-term storage. © Sweetwater Organic Farm

Preparing carrots for storage

Not every variety of carrots can be stored. Late unripe varieties during storage will become tasteless, rough, and lose their juiciness. Early varieties are distinguished by too tender pulp. At the slightest violation of the requirements for temperature and humidity in the storage, they begin to mold, rot and germinate.

For storage, it is best to select zoned varieties of carrots of medium ripening (the harvest of which is harvested for 100-110 days). The start of harvesting can be determined by the state of the tops. If the lower leaves begin to turn yellow, it's time to harvest the root crops.

In dry weather, 7 days before harvesting, the beds with carrots are abundantly watered. If heavy rains are expected, you need to harvest before they begin. In cloudy, wet weather, the harvested crop is dried under a canopy with good ventilation or a draft.

Dig or pull carrots out of the ground with extreme care, trying not to damage the root crops. When harvesting from root crops, they try to shake off the ground without mechanical damage (from hitting each other, scratches from a pitchfork, torn tops, etc.). Adhering soil is best simply gently brushed off with a soft glove.

Harvested carrot roots do not need to be completely cleaned from the ground, it is not recommended to wash. Long-term storage in the air with uncircumcised tops will lead to rapid wilting, and in winter - to diseases.

It is better to cut the tops on the day of harvesting carrots or the next day. When cutting the tops, a tail of no more than 1 cm is left. Recent studies have shown that an absolutely healthy root crop with cut tops along with shoulders (the top of 1-2 mm, which is called the line of sleeping eyes) and the lower tail are better stored (sick less, do not fade, does not germinate). But at the same time, storage requirements must be observed.

Immediately after cutting the tops, the carrots are removed under a canopy, aired or (if necessary) dried and sorted. It is very important to store dried fruits for storage. Wet, poorly dried, will quickly become moldy during storage and rot.

When sorting, absolutely healthy, intact, large root crops are selected for storage. Root crops selected for storage are kept for 4-6 days in a dark room at an air temperature of + 10 ... + 12 ° С. Carrots cooled at these temperatures are stored for storage using one of the methods described above or using your well-proven and unique method.

As you know, carrots are one of those foods that people eat throughout the year. Since vegetable prices rise significantly in winter, people are trying to stock up on some supplies. At the same time, possible places for storing carrots are not particularly surprising in their diversity, because not every person has a cellar, however, even there, carrots can begin to rot after some time.

What should be done first?

The first thing to do for anyone who wants to store this vegetable for a long time is to cut the tops. At the same time, it is extremely important to do everything right. First you need to cut the vegetation a little higher than the head of the root crop. If carrots are bought in the market, then the leaves are often already cut off.

Next, you need to remove the head itself with a thickness of about one centimeter, trying to make the cut even. After this procedure, it is desirable to dry the carrots. Cutting the tops contributes to the preservation of all the necessary vitamins and nutrients in the root crop, and also prevents the product from quickly rotting or drying out. Before placing the carrots directly into the storage place, you need to carefully sort them out again.

The most important stage

How to store carrots? For the winter, you need to prepare the storage itself. The usual procedure for garbage disposal, ventilation and disinfection will not take much effort and money, but will ensure the longest possible storage of vegetables. The most optimal temperature at which it is recommended to store carrots is +1 degree Celsius. Humidity in the room should be at the level of 90-95%. To ensure such an indicator, you can use ordinary plastic bags, because they do not allow moisture to evaporate from the carrot. The package itself should be kept open. This is necessary so that the amount of carbon dioxide released by the root crop does not exceed the amount of oxygen. Otherwise, there will be a quick deterioration of stocks.

Many people wonder how to store carrots for the winter. At the same time, not everyone knows that the solution to this problem can be the use of ordinary wet sand. This will help those who do not know how to store carrots in the cellar. You can moisten the sand with water (one liter per bucket). It is recommended to stack carrots in boxes in layers. Each root crop must be surrounded by sand on all sides.

How to store carrots in the cellar?

An important rule: it is unacceptable to lower the temperature to 0 degrees and increase to +3 Celsius.

The most common way to store carrots is to simply sprinkle them on the cellar floor. This solution to the problem is the simplest and does not require much time and effort, however, as practice shows, the long-term storage of stocks is significantly reduced.

Many people try to store this vegetable in wood or drywall boxes. Also very common are the methods of storage in sand or in plastic bags, as described above.

Another fairly effective option for how to store carrots is to place them on shelves, the bottom of which is about a meter away from the floor (the rest can be placed at any distance from each other).

How to store carrots in the basement?

This option is in many ways reminiscent of storing vegetables in the cellar, but it has its own characteristics.

In the basement, as in the cellar, it is customary to place carrots in boxes. In this case, the container should have a maximum capacity of approximately 20-30 kilograms of vegetables. Firstly, this will provide additional space for other root crops, and secondly, tightly closed boxes will help keep stocks in good condition for a long time. It is recommended to place boxes without contact with walls or floors. To do this, just place them on a small stand. This solution will reduce the risk of mold and rot on root crops.

An effective way is to store carrots in coniferous sawdust. Vegetables can be covered with sawdust in the same boxes or in any other container. If the reservoir is deep enough, then there may be several such layers.

What can be done in the apartment?

A great option for those who live in an apartment and want to know how to store carrots is the suggestion of placing root vegetables on the balcony. For this, a regular box with insulated walls is quite suitable. How to store carrots in an apartment without worrying about its safety? Easily. You just need to sprinkle it with onion peel, and the stocks will not lose their appearance for a long time.

If there is no opportunity to place vegetables on the balcony, then ordinary chalk can be diluted with water to the consistency of 10% fat sour cream. Carrots must be placed in this liquid. It is preserved better, however, in the future, some difficulties may arise when washing root crops.

Alternative option

Before storing carrots in the refrigerator, it is best to freeze or can them. In this form, it does not form toxins that are dangerous to human health. Therefore, the preservation of root crops in dried, frozen or canned form is the best option.

Which varieties last longer?

Each person who decides to buy or grow carrots thinks about which varieties among the existing variety are best suited for storage. Experts say that mid-season and late varieties of the considered root crops lie longer than the others. One of the most common is the "red giant". This mid-season variety retains its properties until mid-spring, while it is distinguished by unusual softness.

Another great variety is "Viking". In the composition of such carrots there is a large amount of carotene, which is very useful for the human body.

Among the late varieties, the following are distinguished by a high level of preservation: "Moscow Winter" and "Cardinal". They can be successfully stored until the end of April - beginning of May, without worrying about the loss of any useful properties of root crops.

The main advantages of a vegetable

Carrots are rightfully considered an invaluable storehouse of nutrients. It contains many different vitamins and mineral salts, as well as carotene, essential oils and many other substances. This root crop is successfully used to get rid of beriberi, anemia, tuberculosis, colds, gastritis and many other health problems. In general, carrots can increase the body's resistance to various immune diseases, increase the physical and mental activity of a person. In addition, carrots are widely used in cosmetology as a highly effective anti-aging agent.

Therefore, it is important to eat this root crop throughout the year, especially in those seasons when there is a decrease in the body's immune defenses and a lack of vitamins. To do this, it is important to know the basic ways of how to store carrots and organize the optimal conditions for this vegetable.