Carrots are wholesome, tasty and one of the most popular products on our table at any time of the year, especially in winter. It’s harder to keep fresh until spring, than other vegetables.
This root has very delicate skin, due to damage to which the vegetable can quickly deteriorate. Also, not all varieties of carrots may be stored for a long time.
In our article we will talk about the best varieties and ways to store fresh carrots. We also recommend to watch a useful video on the topic.
Features of the structure of the vegetable for harvesting
Late carrot varieties and its hybrid types are most suitable for winter storage.. The root crop should be the correct form, have a high yield and have the ability for long-term storage. Early varieties of carrots are best used immediately after harvesting, not leaving for the winter, as they are not suitable for prolonged aging.
Can it be kept raw until spring?
There are many ways to keep carrots fresh for a long time, despite the fastidiousness of this vegetable crop. There are the most popular ways to preserve fresh carrots, each of which requires adherence to certain rules.
One of the rules is timely harvesting, as carrots dug ahead of time do not have time to accumulate the necessary amount of sugars, which will negatively affect its taste. At the root, overexposed longer laid, on the contrary, accumulates an excess of amino acids and sugars, which makes it an attractive vegetable for pests.
Which grade to choose?
Important: Even a properly dug, healthy and large carrot, which has all the conditions for storage, can deteriorate (turn black, rot) a month after storage. This may be due to an incorrectly selected root variety. There are varieties that are suitable for winter storage and those that are not suitable for this.
The best and longest preserved conical shapes:
Valeria.- Losinoostrovskaya.
- Shantane.
- Incomparable.
- Vitamin
- Moscow winter.
Valeria.The most unsuitable varieties for long-term preservation are varieties with short roots.For example, the Parisian carrot. In order not to get confused in all the variety of carrots, when choosing it, you should remember about some features.
- It is best to purchase for planting domestic breeding varieties of root vegetables that are adapted to the local climate.
- Fruits of the extended form are suitable for the friable, oxygenated soil.
- For storage more suitable crop, planted in early summer.
- Round-shaped carrots ripen quickly, but produce a small crop.
- The varieties of foreign producers may look more beautiful, but require certain growing conditions and fertilizing the soil.
When choosing a variety of carrots, pay attention to its resistance to cracking.. Any crack on the surface is free access for bacteria and fungi. A damaged vegetable will not be stored for long even under favorable conditions.
Preparatory stage
There are several simple rules of the preparatory stage, which must be followed before laying this vegetable crop for long-term storage.
- On the eve of digging, the beds with carrots do not need to be watered.
- The tops are pruned immediately after harvesting, as it will draw moisture from the fruit.
- After cutting the tops, the crop is dried in the sun for 2-3 hours.
- During the week, roots should be kept at a temperature of 10-14 degrees.
- Before harvesting the carrots to the place of storage, it is necessary to sort out and remove the unsuitable root vegetables.
How to save for the winter at home?
The experience of gardeners has shown that it is not necessary to clean the carrots from the ground if it grew in heavy moist soil. Root crops with dried ground are stored longer. Also, do not wash the crop before storage. If it was collected in wet weather, then before laying the carrots in storage, it should be well dried in the shade. A couple of days before harvesting the fruit, it should be cooled to a temperature of about 2 degrees.
The next stage is the preparation of a place to store the harvest. The room should be dry, with temperatures up to 12 degrees and moderate humidity. The room and container for packing fruit must be disinfected with lime or copper sulphate. Sorted fruits must be folded in cooked containers.
There are several places for storing carrots - it can be a cellar, a cellar, a garage, a warmed balcony.. In order to extend the preservation of the harvest, there are several ways. For each method, you should choose the optimal temperature storage and ensure good air circulation and optimum humidity.
In sand
The fruits are laid out in a box with wet sand, without touching each other. On top of the carrot, too, covered with sand. Layers can be repeated.
Watch the video about storing carrots in the sand:
In sawdust
Similar to sand storage. Coniferous sawdust is best suited, phytoncides which prevent the spread of bacteria.
Watch the video about storing carrots in sawdust:
In plastic bag
Take smooth and even fruits of carrots. Pre-vegetables better wash and dry a little. Then they fold into a bag that is not tied tightly so that the roots will not suffocate.
Watch the video about storing carrots in a plastic bag:
Frost
For those who do not have a basement, cellar or garage, it may be advisable to store carrots frozen. To do this, the fruits are washed, crushed in any way, laid out in plastic bags and put in the freezer, using as needed.
Watch a video about freezing chopped carrots in a plastic bag:
Possible problems
During storage, carrots may also be affected by some diseases:
Sclerotinosis or white rot. Carrots become soft, cotton pads appear on the surface, which can infect neighboring fruits.- Bacterial wet rot can destroy a crop. In the presence of this disease, the roots decompose, giving off an unpleasant odor.
- Alternaria or black rot. When stored on the surface of carrots appear pressed dry dark spots, gray-greenish bloom (mycelium).
- Fomoz or brown rot. Betting on its presence, the fruits become loose and hollow, acquire a brown-brown tint.
Sclerotinosis or white rot. Carrots become soft, cotton pads appear on the surface, which can infect neighboring fruits.To eliminate these problems, it is necessary to decontaminate the soil, process the seeds from pathogens, process storage sites with disinfectants, maintain the optimum temperature and humidity in the room, lay only healthy fruits for the winter.
Conclusion
Everyone chooses the most convenient way to preserve the harvest. It is important to choose the optimal method of storing carrots, taking into account the possibility of creating the necessary conditions for this. With the observance of simple rules, you can preserve the harvest for a long time and provide the whole family with fresh and healthy vegetables for the whole winter.
