The Subtleties Of Harvesting And Storing Carrots

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

With the arrival of September, it's time to think about harvesting and storage methods for carrots. The duration and storage conditions of the root crop largely depend on the conditions of its cultivation, as well as the timing of harvesting. What should be done to prevent carrots from wilting and rotting?

On the terms and conditions of harvesting carrots from the beds

It is impossible to rush with the terms of cleaning, but it is also bad for storage to be late. It is necessary to track the moment when the growing season of the plant ends. This is a sign that nutrients have moved from the aboveground green part to the root vegetable hidden under the soil. By this time, respiration and evaporation will be reduced as much as possible, and the integumentary tissue on the carrots will get stronger enough - this is how the ripened root crop prepares for its dormant period forced in cold weather.

The optimal combination of these processes with air temperatures below + 10 ° C. It is at this moment that you can start harvesting carrots intended for long-term storage.

On the contrary, root crops that did not have time to ripen are not able to be stored for a long time. Such specimens very quickly lose their presentation, wither, lose weight. But you don't have to think about it when the weather forecast warns of imminent early frosts. And carrots, as you know, cannot withstand negative temperatures. If you let it freeze in the soil, after thawing, the crop quickly rots.

And when circumstances develop in such a way that such carrots have to be removed from the field prematurely, they are intended to be eaten as soon as possible. Also, these vegetables can be used for preservation. In addition, if you immediately peel these carrots, chop and freeze, you will get an excellent ready-made semi-finished product for soups and borscht with a minimum of waste in the future.

But even in good weather conditions, carrots should not be overexposed in the ground. If the roots overgrow, they will become rougher. In addition, carrots crack, which reduces their keeping quality.

Harvesting technology

To get the root crop out of the ground, use a garden pitchfork. If the planting area is large and the harvest is large, it is more convenient to harvest together. An assistant will be needed in order to immediately cut the carrot tops. The longer its green tail remains on the root crop, the sooner it will begin to wilt. Even a crop with leaves left until the evening can lose turgor.

The quality of carrots is strongly influenced by the composition of the soil. When root crops were grown on light sandy, medium sandy and loamy soils, peat bogs, it is both outwardly more attractive in appearance and in terms of the content of vitamins it compares favorably with those specimens that were sown on clay soils. In addition, bifurcated, twisted root crops are often harvested on heavy soils. In such places, conditions are not the most suitable for the formation of integumentary tissues, and therefore the maturation period can be greatly delayed.

Storage of carrots

For long-term storage, only healthy carrots should be laid, without signs of rot or hints of wilting. It needs to be cleaned to make sure the roots have not been damaged by forks during harvest or soil pests. Such wounds can become a source of rot spread to healthy vegetables.

No matter how high-quality the carrots are, the longer they are stored, the greater the likelihood of product spoilage. Snowing the crop helps to combat this phenomenon in the winter months. For this, the carrots are put in boxes, which are placed on top of each other on a flat snow area. Then the resulting pyramid is wrapped with snow on all sides, and a film or other waterproof material is put on top.