The benefits of carrots have been proven for a long time: it is a source of vitamins and beneficial components, and also favorably affects the intestines and eyesight. In addition, this vegetable is delicious, it is used to prepare many dishes. In summer and autumn, getting a product is not difficult, but in order to regale it in the winter, you need to make supplies. At first glance, the easiest way is to store carrots in the cellar. But you need to know the basic subtleties so that the vegetable does not lose its taste and benefits.
For better storage of carrots, you should choose late varieties that have a long ripening period.
How to harvest?
Whatever the storage conditions for carrots in the cellar, the proper collection of vegetables is of no small importance. If the root crops are damaged, the shelf life of the significance will be reduced due to decay. You can dig up carrots already in September, but it is better to wait for the first frosts. Then the vegetable will remain sweet and will lie much longer.
A week before the harvest is planned, you need to water the carrots abundantly. Then it will become juicy and sweet. After five days, it is necessary to weed the beds and cut the tops, this will help to save the moisture that the root crop needs.
In order not to damage the root crop, it is more advisable to use stupid forks for harvesting. Dug carrots must be cleaned from the ground and dried a little. The tops are cut almost completely, just leave a few centimeters. Damaged vegetables can not be stored, because they can provoke rotting of the remaining root crops. They are best used as food immediately after collection.
Cellar preparation
The shelf life directly depends on the condition of the cellar. Ideal temperature values should be within 1-3 degrees of heat. Sudden changes in temperature can cause a rotting process.
Before bringing the crop into the basement, the room must be disinfected and ventilated. The methods for storing carrots in the cellar can be different, but there is one general rule: vegetables should not touch each other, they must be isolated as much as possible.
"Quarantine" period
To identify spoiled root crops, it is necessary to hold them in a room where temperature indicators are in the range of 13-15 degrees Celsius for at least two weeks. This period is called quarantine. Those carrots, which will not be of the best quality, must be processed and used as food.
Sand Boxes
Carrots can be stored in the cellar using boxes of sand. It is poured to the bottom, and then a number of root crops are laid. After this, it is necessary to fill the vegetables with sand and lay the next row. Such actions must be continued until the box is completely full. The top layer of sand should be about 1-2 cm thick. If necessary, it can be moistened. Checking the degree of humidity is easy: sand should be squeezed in your hand. At the same time, it should not crumble, but excessive moisture is also not needed. Storing carrots in a cellar in the sand is the most common method.
Clay “cover”
This method is laborious, but provides long-term storage of vegetables. The solution of clay and water should have the consistency of sour cream. They need to coat each carrot and wait until the “cover” is completely dry. After this, root crops can be stacked in open boxes or special baskets. It is important to ensure that vegetables do not have unprotected areas, as they will begin to deteriorate.
Storage in polyethylene
Storage of carrots in the cellar in winter in plastic bags implies that the thickness of the latter should be approximately 100-150 microns. About 25 kg of vegetables will be placed in each. To prevent condensation from forming inside the polyethylene, several holes must be made from below. Carrots are mixed with sand, but you don’t need to tie the bag tightly.
If the cellar is equipped with shelving, you can lay the carrots in one layer, but in this case it will dry quickly. To avoid this, you will have to install containers with water, which must be changed periodically.
Sawdust storage
Harvest will be stored longer if you choose the right boxes. Their capacity should be no more than 20 kg. It is good if the boxes are tight, without gaps and with a lid. The stand, where they will be located, must be installed so that the distance to it from the floor and from the walls is 15-20 cm. Coniferous sawdust should be poured into the bottom and the root crops must be laid. The layers alternate until the box is full. Due to the fact that coniferous sawdust contains a large amount of essential oils, vegetables will not rot and deteriorate.
"Bed" of paper
Winter storage of carrots in the cellar can be quite lengthy if you use paper or newspapers. But this method is only suitable if the room is not very humid. After going through the root crops, they need to be put in boxes so that they do not touch, and transferred to old newspapers or other paper.
Cold storage
For convenience, a small amount of vegetables can be stored directly in the refrigerator, so as not to run every time in the cellar. Carrots must be sorted and checked so that there is no damage, and then folded in polyethylene. Vegetables should be reviewed regularly to remove spoiled or decayed products in a timely manner.
Storage in linen bags
Often, linen bags are used for these purposes. Storage of carrots in the cellar in this way is suitable if there are no rodents in the room, otherwise the crop may suffer. The capacity of the bags should be about 50 kg. After the carrots are sprinkled, the bag must be placed vertically and not tied in any case.
Storage in the apartment
If there is no cellar or you can’t keep carrots there for some reason, you can store carrots on the balcony or on the loggia. Naturally, they must be glazed so that there is no subzero temperature. If the carrots freeze, it can be thrown away.
As an alternative, closets are suitable. Having folded carrots in plastic bags, you need to lay them in a dark room. Do not forget that carrots should “breathe”.
To keep carrots in the cellar or in the apartment for a long time, root crops cannot be washed or wiped with a damp sponge, as they will begin to rot.