Storing Carrots

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The ideal option for long-term storage of carrots is a cool basement or cellar, since there is an optimal temperature. To prevent rodents from getting to the vegetables, knock down the comfortable shelves in the cellar. If mice are not available, place vegetables in regular wooden crates or bins. There are many ways to store carrots using additional processing, but sometimes it is not even necessary if the storage room temperature is up to +3 degrees

How to store carrots in the sand

This method of preserving carrots will require loamy sand, water, and crates. This method of storing carrots is very popular with gardeners who have underground or garage pits. The advantage of the method is to reduce the evaporation of moisture from carrots, while putrefactive diseases do not develop. The sand helps keep the temperature constant.

In this case, the sand must be wet, a liter of water is used for a bucket of dry sand. The bottom of the box is covered with prepared wet sand by 3 - 5 cm, the carrots are laid out on it so that they do not touch each other. Next, a new layer of sand is laid and again a row of vegetables. The top layer of sand should be at least 1 - 2 cm.

There is an option of storing carrots in dry sand and in a bucket instead of a box.

How to store carrots in sawdust

For this method of storing carrots, choose sawdust from coniferous trees. Sawdust is a universal filler for storing carrots, needles phytoncides, essential oils prevent the germination of root crops, the occurrence of rot and the penetration of pathogenic bacteria. Place the box on a support 15 - 20 cm above the floor and at the same distance from the walls. As in the case of sand, sawdust is poured onto the bottom of the box, then a layer of carrots, then the layers alternate.

To preserve the carrot crop, choose small boxes with a volume of no more than 20 kg, the walls of the box should be without cracks, dense, a lid must be present.

In the absence of a suitable container, store the carrots in sawdust simply on a shelf or piles, which are arranged at a level of 20 cm from the floor.

How to store carrots in plastic bags

For this, the methods need polyethylene bags with a thickness of 100-150 microns, designed for 20-30 kg of root crops.

Keep these carrot bags open in a cool place. By tying the bag, carbon dioxide is formed in it, which gives off during storage and deteriorates. In an open package, a small amount of it accumulates, just preventing the development of diseases.

If you have to tie a bag, be sure to make holes for ventilation and removal of condensation from the inner surface of the polyethylene. Condensation forms in the bag due to the high humidity in the basement storage. To rid the room of moisture, sprinkle lime next to the bags - fluff, it will absorb moisture.

How to store carrots in clay

This method requires clay, water, plastic, crates or cardboard boxes. The essence of the method is that the clay creates a protective shell on the surface of the vegetable, which preserves it throughout the winter and protects it from wilting.

There are two ways to treat carrots with clay:

-Filling with clay

Take half a bucket of clay and fill it with water, after a day mix the swollen clay thoroughly and fill it with water again. Insist the clay in this state for 3-4 days, the top layer of water should be 3 cm. For use, clay similar in consistency to sour cream is suitable. The bottom of the box is covered with foil, a layer of carrots is laid out so that they do not touch, and clay is poured. After the liquid clay has solidified, a second layer of root crops is formed and again poured with clay.

-Dipping in clay

In this method, carrots are dipped in a clay solution and dried in a ventilated area. After the dried carrots in a "clay jacket" are sent to a wooden box or cardboard box.

How to store carrots in moss

In this method, the main role is played by sphagnum moss, which has specific preserving properties. Moss is able to hold the right amount of carbon dioxide inside. An additional bonus of this storage method is the weight of the moss - it is a light material that does not add extra weight to the container with carrots. Dried carrots and moss are placed in layers in a box.

How to store carrots in onion skins

Essential oils of onion and garlic hulls prevent vegetables from rotting. Lay the carrots in layers with onion skins and they won't go bad for a long time.