How to store carrots is not an idle question for many private owners. This root vegetable, popular in our cuisine, is even comparable in composition of nutrients to ginseng. And you can preserve carrots for the winter in many ways: dried, canned, or frozen. But fresh root vegetables still taste better, so we share our personal experience on how to store carrots in the winter in the cellar, on the loggia or in the refrigerator.

How to store carrots: all the secrets from preparation for long-term storage to consumption

It is extremely important to prepare carrot root vegetables for storage at the harvest stage. It should be removed after the first frost, since carrots must necessarily go through the stage of natural cooling. Sometimes gardeners have to harvest carrots before frost, then they need to keep them in the refrigerator for a day, otherwise the tops will continue to grow and the root crop will wither.

Of course, now we are not talking about early varieties, but about those intended for wintering. Early and mid-season varieties cannot be kept in the garden too long, otherwise they will begin to grow and when you dig up you will find a sponge of new roots. So don’t throw away the bags with ripening dates until you choose a good variety for yourself and start growing own seeds(by the way, they are very fragrant, and when ground they are an excellent seasoning).

Another way to prepare for storage is low processing of tops. They either tear it off very low right in the garden bed, grabbing a bunch of leaves, and tilting it sideways and downwards with a sharp movement and tear out the entire bunch, damaging the growing point. Or cut off the top of the root crop by 0.5 cm along with the tops. The cut should be even.

by trimming the growing point to capture the pulp by 0.5 cm, you will extend the shelf life and preserve the juiciness of carrots

Ripeness is determined by the color of the tops - the tops of more mature root crops are darker. And the first signs of yellowing of the lower leaves indicate that the feeding roots are already dying off and an outflow of nutrients to the root, growth processes stop, and the plant prepares for winter.

Use a flat-toothed fork to select carrots from the garden, lifting the soil to half the height of the root crops. By extracting carrots in such a careful way, we preserve the natural structure of the soil in the garden bed to the maximum: the layers do not mix, anaerobic microbes do not turn out to the surface (for more details, see why it is better not to dig).

Then the tops are removed and the root crops are sorted by size, shape and damage. Crooked carrots, centipedes and wounded carrots can be immediately processed or chopped and dried. The tops are spread on the garden bed where it is planned to cultivate pumpkin crops next year. In the fall, you don’t have to worry that pests will attack the smell of the tops. But when collecting early and mid-season varieties, it is better to take the tops to compost heap or in berry fields away from the garden.

Note: do not damage the growing point on specimens intended for obtaining seeds. In the southern regions, carrots for seeds can be left right in the garden bed; they overwinter quietly. In the northern zone, root crops saved in winter are planted for seeds.

Before storing for winter storage, the harvested crop is dried for 7-10 days and cooled. At this point, cuts and small scratches are healed. The so-called “wet tip” may also appear - such root vegetables cannot be stored, and before storing carrots, diseased root vegetables are removed during re-sorting.

If the days are warm, the harvest is lowered into the basement early in the morning, after the cool of the night. It is better to sort through root crops and put them in boxes or bags for the winter by hand to avoid damage caused by rough pouring or turning with a rake shovel.

In the southern regions, some root crops can be saved directly in the garden bed by cutting off the growing point and marking the remaining plot with some markers. After harvesting the tops, the top of the bed should be covered with something dense that does not allow light to pass through. In this case, we cover it with black agrofibre. But be sure to throw elderberry branches and leaves under it to scare away rodents.

The best varieties of carrots for winter storage

There are many types of carrots; they differ in size, shape, color, and sugar content. There are even varieties of carrots without cores that are great for storage: Karotinka, Canada, Red, Queen of Autumn, Moscow Winter. But they are not for everyone - although they have a weakly defined core, many will find the flesh a bit harsh.

For winter storage select late varieties of carrots. Very good keeping quality indicators for varieties such as Malika, Giant Rossa, Belgrade, Nayarit. But choose the best varieties you need it for yourself based on several factors: taste, shelf life and yield in the conditions of your particular site.

How to store carrots in the cellar in winter

The basement, basement, pit in the garage and cellar are excellent places where you can store carrots for a long time. Of course, before storing carrots in the cellar, the room is ventilated (cooled). Root vegetables are placed in boxes, sprinkled with wet sand. This reduces evaporation.

Particularly careful summer residents try to place carrots rarely so that they do not touch each other. In addition to boxes, buckets are used, and then the root crops are placed vertically. To moisten, add about 1 liter of water to a bucket of sand.

Winter storage of carrots in the cellar is possible without a sand cushion if the root crops folded in boxes are covered with a couple of layers of agrofibre. Dried and sorted root vegetables are lowered into the cellar and in sugar bags. In this case, the bags are not tied so that the carrots do not suffocate. Covering the stacked harvest non-woven material vented to reduce evaporation. Storage temperature from +1 to +5 degrees, humidity - 90-95%.

Storing carrots at home for the winter

A basement or cellar in a country house is not at all convenient for winter trips, and part of the harvest should always be at hand. Well how to store carrots in the apartment? Of course, the winners are those citizens who have in their apartment glazed loggias or balcony.

Then insulated boxes come to the rescue - the same ones that are used for storing potatoes. They are made from plywood or OSB, and the inside is insulated with foam plastic or other porous materials. Ventilation holes are provided in the lid or on the sides, which are tightly clogged with cotton wool or burlap.

Insulated boxes are used to store carrots on a loggia or balcony

If the floor is not insulated, bars are placed under the boxes. At home, such insulated boxes allow you to preserve carrots during the most difficult months for transportation from the dacha - from December to February.

How to store carrots in the refrigerator

As needed, carrots from balcony boxes and garage pits should be taken to the kitchen and stored in the refrigerator until ready. There is no need to let root vegetables rest in a warm place, since it is much easier to store carrots in the refrigerator if condensation does not form on them from the frost. Moreover, do not let it lie down until it is completely warmed up to the temperature of the apartment and dry out.

With the tops cut off, the harvest is elegantly stored in the lower vegetable drawers of the refrigerator in ordinary plastic bags; a couple of holes are made in them for ventilation, or they are tied loosely. If the bags are large enough in the refrigerator (for example, 5 kg), then pour a little chalk into them, it will neutralize carbon dioxide and protect the carrots from rotting.

The use of natural bactericidal layers when storing root vegetables

To prevent the development of diseases, you can layer boxes with carrots with sphagnum moss, peat, onion peels and pine shavings - their bactericidal properties perfectly inhibit the development of fungi.

You can also store root vegetables in raw pine sawdust - coniferous trees prevent putrefactive processes. But here you also can’t overdo it with humidity.

Freezing and drying carrot harvest

Some peoples believe that it is better to save fresh carrots only until March. Then mycotoxins accumulate in it and the beneficial properties are lost. This is the main reason why carrots become bitter during storage. Of course, a lot depends on storage conditions and varieties. Secure the accumulation harmful substances You can hot process it, or make canned preparations, as well as freeze and dry part of the harvest.

It is best to freeze already chopped carrots, distributing the semi-finished products in portions. It is best to dry finely ground products by pulsing the root vegetables in a food processor or on a simple grater. Dry the chopped carrots on a mesh over a stove, stove or radiator, stirring the workpiece periodically. Protecting dried carrots from the ubiquitous food moth is very simple - mix them with salt.

Perhaps these are the most important procedures which must be observed when planting crops for the winter. Let's hope that these simple secrets of harvest storage will be useful to you, and over time you will select reliable and productive varieties for your soil and climatic conditions. We remind you that the carrot yield can be significantly increased by protecting the beds from pests by sowing onions. How do you prefer to store carrots in winter?

Currently, gardening and growing vegetables has moved from being a household necessity to more of an activity for the soul and for pleasure. How nice at the end summer season Harvest the harvest and enjoy its fruits all winter! However, it is important not only to collect your own grown vegetables and root vegetables, but also to properly preserve them during the long frosty winter, when the lack of vitamins and summer sun is especially acute. One of the most capricious root vegetables in terms of storage is carrots. How to store carrots in the cellar so that they do not spoil or rot is a question that amateur gardeners regularly face. Today I will list some of the most popular and effective methods.

To preserve carrots throughout the winter, you must, first of all, correctly collect them from the garden, in other words, the success of storage is laid down at the harvesting stage. In addition, the degree of preservation of carrots in a cellar or basement directly depends on its variety.

There are many other subtleties on which the safety of your harvest depends. winter period, let's look at them in more detail.

Proper cleaning and drying of carrots

Traditionally, late-ripening varieties are grown for long-term storage, with a growing season (development time) of more than 120 days; you can also use mid-ripening varieties - the most popular in private farms, but we’ll talk about choosing a variety in the final part of the material.

Harvesting carrots is best in dry, warm weather, since root crops removed from dry or slightly moist soil will only need to be dried a little. Carrots need to be dried before they are stored in the cellar for storage. Harvest in middle lane you can start in mid-September. The season ends, as a rule, in mid-late October, which largely depends on the number of sunny days, because carrots can be characterized as a long-day plant, whose photoperiodism requires more than 12 hours of light for successful ripening. The first light frosts of carrots are not terrible, so you don’t have to worry about it.

It is better to dig up carrots with a pitchfork, holding each root vegetable by the tops, but you can also use a garden trowel. It is better not to use a large shovel, or just dig up the ground a little and carefully pull out the root crops. If the soil is loose and dry, this will be quite easy to do.

When harvesting, try not to damage or scratch the carrots, since if the skin is damaged, the vegetable will not be stored well and will quickly rot.

You need to dig up the carrots carefully so as not to damage the peel.

In good weather, it is enough to spread the harvested crops outside and dry for several hours. If you are unlucky with the weather - it’s damp and raining outside - you need to collect the carrots and evenly spread them out to dry in the house or garage. We recommend spreading the carrots in one layer on a dry mat. It is advisable that individual vegetables do not touch each other. Raw root vegetables need to be dried for several days - this is the so-called quarantine period.

After the carrots have dried, you need to perform the following manipulations with them:

• We clear away excess soil. After the moisture has dried, you need to carefully clean the root vegetables from dirt. If the soil in your area is clayey and the lumps of earth have dried up, let them remain.
• We select root crops damaged during harvesting. Only healthy, whole and strong vegetables should be stored in the cellar. If the carrot peel is damaged, pathogenic microbes will immediately penetrate there and the process of rotting will begin. It is well known that one spoiled root vegetable can infect everyone around it. Therefore, special attention should be paid to the carrot sorting stage. Take the rejected vegetables home and put them in the refrigerator for prompt use, and if you come across cracked root vegetables, but these cracks are dry and do not cause suspicion, they can be stored, however, they still need to be used first.
• We sort the carrots by size - separate the small ones from the large ones. First, small vegetables will be eaten, then medium-sized ones, then the largest ones.
• We remove the tops. Using a sharp knife, you need to cut off the tops at a distance of 1–2 mm from the root itself.

Sometimes carrot tops are cut off before harvesting (1-2 weeks), but whether this method is justified is a big question, and it is much more convenient to pull root crops out of the ground, holding onto the tops.

Now our carrots are ready to be stored, and we move on to next stage. The ideal place for winter storage of root vegetables is a basement or cellar.

Preparing the cellar

Carrots are one of the most difficult and capricious root vegetables to preserve. In order not to rot, dry out and sprout, it needs special conditions, namely – temperature -2 – +2 degrees and air humidity 90 – 95%. Ventilation in the cellar should be of medium intensity; if there is too much air, germination will inevitably begin.

Do not store carrots and other root vegetables in the same room as apples. This is explained by the fact that apples (especially ripe ones) actively emit ethylene, which leads to rapid spoilage of vegetables.

In order to ensure the required microclimate in the cellar or basement, take care of its timely insulation, waterproofing and protection from groundwater, as well as an effective ventilation system.

Before storing vegetables, be sure to dry the cellar and disinfect the shelves and drawers.

Before storing vegetables in a cellar or basement, you need to thoroughly clean the room, sweep out the trash and get rid of the remnants of the previous harvest. One rotten carrot from last year lying in the corner can significantly spoil the joy of the new harvest. The room and shelves need to be disinfected (for this you can purchase a sulfur bomb in advance or use slaked lime).

Advice: before storing, it is advisable to keep the vegetables themselves “in quarantine” for 1 – 2 weeks. They can be scattered in a garage or other room with a temperature of +13 - 15 degrees. During this time, all spoiled vegetables will make themselves known and can be easily removed.

Best Storage Methods

The cellar and basement are best place for winter storage, because it is there that it is easiest to maintain the specified temperature and humidity. The cellar should not freeze during the winter. In good conditions, carrots can be safely stored for a whole year, until the next harvest, and you will have the opportunity to regularly receive fresh vitamins from your own garden at your table.

To understand how to store carrots in the cellar correctly, check out the following popular methods:

1. Wooden boxes with a lid are one of the most simple ways. Carrots are simply neatly placed in boxes made of wood or thick cardboard. The boxes are closed with a lid and placed in the cellar at a distance of 10 - 15 centimeters from the walls. Sometimes the walls can become damp, but moisture should not get into our drawers. It is better not to place them on the floor, but to use a small stand. There is no need to make holes in the boxes; they should be tight enough. This storage method is quite compact and will allow you to place a significant amount of root vegetables even in a small cellar. Try to put no more than 20 kg of carrots in one box.
2. Onion peel. Do not throw away the husks that remain in large quantities from the onion. Place it in large bags and place the carrots there too. The husk, on the one hand, will take away excess moisture, and on the other hand, protect root crops from rotting and proliferation of microorganisms. Try to roll each carrot in the peel, but you can just sprinkle it into individual layers. Tie the bags and lower them into the cellar or underground.

Storage in pine sawdust.

Coniferous sawdust. In order to use this method, you need to sprinkle the root vegetables with sawdust from wood. coniferous species. The phenolic substances contained in the needles will protect root crops from rot and disease. You can put carrots in boxes from method 1 or any other container. You can simply pour sawdust onto the shelves in the cellar, place root vegetables on them and sprinkle another layer of sawdust on top. Sawdust should not be poured onto the floor or close to the walls of the cellar.

3. Pyramids covered with sand. With this storage method, a thick layer of sand is poured onto the floor. The carrots are laid out in a row and covered with the next layer of sand. The second row of carrots is placed on top of the first in a checkerboard pattern. A layer of sand wakes up again, and so on. Pyramids should not exceed 1 meter in height. The sand for this method should be slightly damp, closer to dry. If the sand is completely dry, it should be periodically sprayed with water from a spray bottle to prevent the carrots from drying out. Root crops should not touch each other. It is advisable to sift and calcinate the sand before use for disinfection.
4. Wet sand and chalk. It is necessary to mix clean, slightly damp sand with chalk powder. Pour this mixture into a dense wooden box. Place the carrots in the sand, thick end up, sprinkle on top. Chalk will prevent bacteria from multiplying and will keep carrots fresh and tasty for a long time.

Laying root crops in a box with sand.

Chalk solution. Chalk must be diluted with water to a homogeneous liquid state. Each root crop is soaked in this solution, dried and stored. You can simply “powder” the carrots with dry chalk powder. For 10 kg of carrots you will need about 200 g of chalk. Alkaline properties chalk does not allow microorganisms to multiply.

5. Shell made of liquid clay. Enough the dirty way storage, but one of the most effective. Therefore, if the carrots in your cellar are constantly rotting and spoiling, use it, you will not regret it. Before storing root crops in the cellar, dilute the clay with water in a bucket until a uniform fluid mass is formed. Dip each carrot there and dry. The clay should completely cover the root crop. After drying, lower the carrots into the cellar and place them in boxes or baskets. You don't have to cover it with a lid.
6. Plastic bags. Not the best The best way, but if there is no other storage option, pack dry root vegetables in thick plastic bags and lower them into the cellar. The bags should be placed on a shelf or small stand. Several holes are made in the bottom of the bag through which the resulting condensate will drain. The bag does not tie.

Carrot varieties that store well

In essence, no matter what variety of carrot you choose, it’s winter. Especially if you have a brick or concrete cellar, and not just a barrel buried in the ground. However, there are some varieties that, due to their special properties, are stored much better and spoil less than others.

Examples of such varieties:

• "Moscow Winter". An ideal variety for winter storage in a cellar or underground. The good taste and high yield of root crops will delight you even at the harvesting stage. The ripening speed is average.
• "Nantes". This is a variety with excellent taste and good keeping quality. At proper cultivation gives a rich harvest and is stored for a long time. Sings quickly.
• "Chantane." A variety of medium ripeness, high-yielding, sweet, with a wonderful aroma.

Also popular varieties are: “Vitaminnaya 6”, “Samson”, “Cascade”, “Nigel”.

Variety "Moscow Winter".

If you don’t know what type of carrots you have, then focus on the shape of the root vegetables. Round, short-fruited varieties (“Paris Carotel”) do not store very well; it is better to choose medium-sized conical-shaped root crops.

How long can carrots be stored?

The shelf life of carrots in winter depends on the method you prefer. On average, the following figures can be given:

• 1 year - in a “shirt” made of liquid clay, chalk, pine sawdust, onion peels, and also in boxes with sand.
• 5–8 months - in closed boxes and in pyramids sprinkled with sand.
• 2–4 months – in a plastic bag.
• 1–2 months – in an apartment in the refrigerator.

You can significantly extend the shelf life by periodically sorting through the crop, removing spoiled root crops and cutting off overgrown tops. Sometimes the condition of the tops for storage is even more important than the condition of the root crop itself. The larger the stump left, the higher the chance that the carrots will germinate. If you cut off the tops along with part of the peel, the root crop will quickly begin to rot and deteriorate.

First of all, you should eat small and thin specimens (as they dry out quickly), while large and dense specimens will lie quietly for a long time. Also try to keep vegetables away from moisture and light.

If your cellar still freezes in severe frosts in winter, you should store carrots by covering them with felt.

Using these simple tips, you will be able to preserve your harvest for a long time and get fresh vegetables to the table even in a long cold winter!

It should be carefully sorted, and root crops with traces of disease, damage, or simply uneven should be separated. Size also matters.

Attention: Carrots that are kept in the refrigerator for a long time should be approximately equal in size, not too big and not too small.

Is it possible to preserve root vegetables in the refrigerator?

Depending on the form in which you plan to store the carrots, you need to correctly determine the place where to place it. A modern refrigerator has suitable different cases locations: compartment for prepared foods, compartment for fresh raw vegetables and freezer compartment.

If you don’t mess with the location and comply with additional conditions in relation to the form factor in which the root vegetable is presented, then there will be no obstacles to using the refrigerator. in a refrigerator:

• in the main compartment at a temperature from +2 to +6 degrees;
• in the “freshness zone” at a temperature from 0 to +3 degrees;
• V freezer at temperatures from -8 to -23 degrees.

How long is the shelf life?

For processed vegetable

If we're talking about about the finished product or preparation, the duration of preservation at home will depend on the specific case. Let's consider how long freshly squeezed carrot juice, boiled and Korean carrots can be stored.

1. "Korean carrot- this is a ready-made dish from an orange root vegetable, which is grated and seasoned to taste, after which it is poured with highly heated vegetable oil. The composition of the gas station usually includes:
   • table vinegar;
   • salt;
   • sugar;
   • red pepper.

   Korean carrots are usually infused for 12-14 hours until ready, after which they can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two weeks.

2. Boiled carrots is considered a fully cooked product, even if it is intended for some kind of salad. If you keep it in the refrigerator for more than two or three days, then it will appearance will stop causing appetite. The carrots will become flabby or slimy in appearance and unpleasant. It is no longer worth eating it in this state.
3. Freshly squeezed carrot juice– tasty and healthy drink, which is prepared by almost everyone who has a juicer. But it is extremely undesirable to store it: valuable properties are lost. If necessary, you can place the carrot juice in the refrigerator in a closed container for a couple of hours. But it is better to drink it immediately after preparation.

For fresh carrots

Speaking about fresh (raw) root vegetables, you can count on the fact that when the right approach before storage, it will remain in the refrigerator from one to several months and at the same time remain high-quality, tasty food rich in vitamins and microelements.

How to properly prepare a root vegetable?

The operations before sending carrots into the refrigerator for storage often depend on personal experience and habits. Few people decide to make a sudden experiment if they are planning a long-term harvest of root vegetables, because a mistake can be costly.

The main difference is the almost Hamletian question “to wash or not to wash.” Some believe that washed root vegetables are stored better, others are inclined towards “grimy”.

Do I need to pre-wash?

- a controversial issue. In support of carrot washing advocates, one can cite whole line advantages of this approach:

The disadvantages include the fact that washed carrots are more demanding on storage conditions and undesirable proximity in the refrigerator. It also takes longer to dry before sending it for long-term storage. It's up to you to decide which is best.

How to preserve carrots longer?

Regardless of whether you washed the carrots or simply limited yourself to removing excess soil, the primary stage of preparing the root vegetable for storage in the refrigerator is to thoroughly dry it from excess moisture obtained during “bathing” or absorbed by the soil. Carrots that are clean after water can be thoroughly blotted with a towel and thus speed up the process. The washed carrots, ready for the next stage, will be dry to the touch and monochromatic. From an unwashed root crop, small particles of soil will fall off on their own when rubbed.

Washed and cleaned

Whole peeled carrots are rarely placed in the refrigerator for long-term storage.. But if they have to, they don’t leave it open, because deprived of its natural “skin,” it quickly weathers and loses moisture.

Advice: Container made of food grade plastic or film - will extend the shelf life of peeled carrots for up to a month if stored in a special compartment of the refrigerator.

A proven method for short-term (3-4 days) storage of carrots in the main compartment of the refrigerator is to immerse them in water. And if you change the water, you can “cheer up” the carrots for up to a week.

We recommend watching a video about storing carrots in film in the refrigerator:

I'm grating

When placing grated carrots in the main compartment of the refrigerator, you need to take into account that in this form they will weather even faster than simply peeled ones. A container will help the cause, glass jar with a lid or, as a last resort, just a plastic bag.

Without freezing, the shelf life will not be long, so grated carrots should be eaten within 10-12 days.

Without freezing

For long-term storage, carrots should be packaged carefully.. Examples of good packaging include vacuum bags and cling film. They will not allow excess moisture to penetrate and preserve the root juices. This is one of the most important conditions for long-term storage. If you are going to use film, then be prepared to work hard: it must tightly cover each carrot.

Sometimes wrapping in paper or paper is used to absorb excess moisture. paper bag. Such packaging will need to be periodically felt, checking for dampness, and replaced if necessary. If everything is done correctly, you will be able to protect the carrots from rotting and flabby.

Placement also matters. The lower the tier in the refrigerator on which you place freshly packaged carrots, the better.. Ideally, this should be a compartment for vegetables. A working refrigerator maintains the optimal temperature and humidity ratio in this area.

• Some housewives use wrappers made from newspapers and other printed matter to regulate humidity. It is strongly not recommended to do this, since printing or printing ink may contain lead, cadmium and other substances that are not very beneficial for the body.
• If the carrots are purchased, then the tops have most likely already been removed. In this case, the place where it was torn off should be completely amputated. In the case when the carrot is your own, it is enough to simply trim the tops to the base.
• When you have a lot of carrots, it is better to trim the tops of the root vegetables quite strongly: by 1-2 centimeters. This will prevent them from germinating in the refrigerator.

So as not to become sluggish and flabby

Even with hermetically sealed carrots, there is still a risk of them softening, flabby and sprouting if the optimal humidity regime is not maintained. For carrots it is 65-75%. No less important - temperature regime.Temperatures beyond -1 to 8 degrees are incompatible with long-term preservation of fresh carrots. Typically, the fruit and vegetable drawer maintains a range of 0 to 3 degrees. For carrots - just right.

For the whole winter

In addition to the rather troublesome preservation of fresh carrots in the “freshness zone” of the refrigerator, it is practiced. Most often, grated or diced carrots are frozen for the winter. In this form, it can be stored throughout the cold season, although it loses some of its taste and beneficial properties. When placed in the freezer, it should also be packaged: in containers, vacuum packaging or plastic. In this form, carrots are suitable for frying, in vegetable stews and any dishes where the cook’s imagination dictates.

We recommend watching a video about freezing carrots for the winter:

What to do if something goes wrong?

The most unpleasant thing that can happen to carrots in the refrigerator is their spoilage. Rotting, loss of pleasant strength or sprouting of carrots, as a rule, is due to violations of storage conditions. Let’s not talk about possible technical problems with the refrigerator, but rather talk about what depends on its owners.

If carrots are not stored in the freezer, then you should pay attention to the appearance of condensation inside the plastic or plastic packaging. These droplets can indicate the concentration of carbon dioxide inside the container or bag. If condensation is detected, carrots should be removed, dried and repacked..

1. You need to make sure that carrots are not in direct contact with other vegetables or fruits. With apples - any close proximity should be excluded altogether. Apples emit ethylene, which can ruin the taste of carrots.
2. It is important for long-term storage. Among the hardiest are: “Moscow Winter”, “Vita Longa” and “Forto”. It is worth paying attention to varieties planted early.
3. For winter storage, select only root vegetables that have reached maturity. Unripened ones may disappoint with quick spoilage.

Conclusion

There are experienced owners. They tend to stick family traditions and time-tested inventory conservation techniques. It’s another matter if there are no stable preferences yet. Then an experiment suggests itself: divide, for example, carrots into several parts and compare several ways to preserve a tasty and healthy root vegetable using the refrigerator. Perhaps this publication will be of some use to experimenters.

If you find an error, please highlight a piece of text and click Ctrl+Enter.

Carrots belong to the category of the most popular vegetable crops grown in personal plot. Despite the undemanding nature of the plant, to obtain bountiful harvest It is important to choose the right variety and follow agricultural practices. In order for carrots to be stored well, you need to know which methods are the most effective.

Optimal storage conditions and periods

Every vegetable grower should know the rules for collecting root crops and storage conditions. How competently the preparatory work is done will increase the chances of preserving this useful product, without which not a single first course can do.

To ensure that the collected root crops do not lose their taste and marketability for as long as possible, you need to:

• Ensure carrots are stored at a suitable temperature. If you maintain it at zero degrees, you can slow down the metabolic process 10 times, which contributes to the long-term preservation of root crops. The vegetable is best stored at a temperature of +1-2°C; at +5°C there is a high probability of bud growth.
• Create normal level indoor air humidity. This figure varies from 90 to 95%. If it is lower, the root crops will begin to wither ahead of time, and with excessive humidity, putrefactive processes will develop.
• Choose the right crop variety. For better keeping quality, late-ripening varieties such as Chantane and Moscow winter are suitable. It is not advisable to store early ripening varieties.
• Do not neglect preparatory activities. If this point is not observed, harmful insects that remain on the fruits after harvest can destroy most of the reserves.
• Eliminate excess oxygen supply to the storage facility.

Depending on the method of storing carrots, the terms may be:

• 1-2 months when placing fruits in plastic bags;
• 5-8 months when stored in closed containers in the cellar;
• before harvesting the next harvest using pine sawdust or using a clay shell;
• 6-8 months by placing carrots in sand in the cellar;
• before harvesting a new crop, if left in the garden.

Regardless of the storage method, root vegetables must be protected from the harmful effects of pests. For these purposes, traps with bait are placed in the cellar, repellers are placed, and vegetable storage facilities are processed properly.

Often carrots and apples are kept in the same room, but this is not recommended, otherwise the shelf life of the collected root vegetables and fruits will be shortened.

Selection and preparation of root crops for storage

In order for carrots to last longer in winter, you need to properly approach the harvest and preparatory work. Late-ripening varieties are dug up in mid-autumn, before the first frost. Among the main signs indicating the ripening of early varieties is a change in the color of the lower leaves of the tops to yellow. The duration of their growing season does not exceed 110 days, after which this process stops.

To avoid loss of taste characteristics of the harvested crop, it is not recommended to keep it in the garden. Late varieties are also afraid of autumn frosts. When above-zero air temperatures during the day change to below-zero at night, there is a high probability of developing gray rot and deteriorating the ability of fruits to be stored for long periods of time.

There is no need to water the carrots before harvesting so that they do not crack and remain juicy. The tops are removed immediately, otherwise they deprive the root crops of all nutrients and moisture. The main thing is to completely unscrew the above-ground part to prevent its germination.

Rules for preparing carrots for wintering:

• vegetables must lie on the floor for 3 hours outdoors in the shadow. They should not be exposed to direct sunlight. During this time, the crop will have time to ventilate and dry;
• then the carrots are transferred to a well-ventilated room where the air temperature is +10-14°C. It remains in such conditions for 7 days so that all minor damage and the root crops themselves can dry out. If there are specimens affected by rot, they can be identified.
• The next step is to inspect the carrots and remove all low-quality fruits.

The best stored varieties are those with a high shelf life, well-ripened, without mechanical damage or disease. Before storing carrots, they should be cooled to a temperature of zero degrees.

If the harvest is small, it is washed and given time to dry. This simple technique allows you to rid root vegetables of pathogens.

How to store carrots

There are several methods that are suitable for preserving vegetables, the main thing is to know the characteristics of each. It is recommended to store carrots in pre-dried and disinfected rooms so that neither bacteria nor other pathogens destroy them. Before storing, you need to do a general cleaning of the storage area, cleaning both the shelves and the floor if necessary.

Basement or cellar

Selected and sorted root crops will be able to remain in storage until the next harvest. basement, if you know how to store vegetables underground. First of all, you need to take out all last year's plant remains and sand in which the fruits were stored. It is advisable to carry out disinfection 1 month before planting carrots.

For these purposes, slaked lime (1 kg) and copper sulfate (100 g) are used. They are diluted in separate containers and then combined by pouring the first product into the second. In this case, you need to constantly stir the resulting Bordeaux mixture. It is used to treat walls and ceilings in the cellar and basement.

14 days after disinfection, the cellar is whitened with lime with the addition of vitriol. The room must be well ventilated and dry. Ideally, it will have an air temperature in the range of 0-3°C and a humidity level of no more than 97%. In winter, with proper storage of carrots in the cellar, it is possible to completely preserve all the root crops without loss of taste and marketability.

In a refrigerator

You can freeze carrots in the freezer, but you must first grate them and place them in closed containers. If placed in its entirety, after thawing the structure will become so soft that it will be quite problematic to use. Therefore, carrots are stored in the refrigerator in pure form and packaged in plastic bags. During the washing process, it is important not to damage the thin skin of root vegetables. To prevent them from being banned, the packages must remain open.

Alternatively, the chopped vegetables are wrapped in film and placed in the freezer.

In the entrance or on the balcony

Residents of apartment buildings who have neither a basement nor a cellar can store carrots for the winter on the balcony or in the pantry located in the entrance. The main thing is that the air temperature is within 0°C, but not lower than -5°C. If the temperature is too low, the vegetables will freeze and spoil, and if the temperature is too high, they will begin to rot or sprout. The prepared fruits are placed in boxes and wrapped dense material, for example, a cotton blanket. They will remain in this form for 6-8 months.

How to store carrots at home

Based on the available materials and the volume of the harvest, each gardener chooses an acceptable way to preserve the harvest.

In sand

For such a storage facility you will need loamy sand, water and wooden containers. This is one of the most common options among vegetable growing lovers who have cellars, underground spaces, and garage pits with cool air. To keep the substrate moist in the container, it is moistened with water at the rate of 1 liter of water per 1 bucket of sand.

Sand is poured onto the bottom of the box in a layer of 3-5 cm. Root crops are laid out in one row at some distance from each other, after which the substrate is poured. These manipulations must be carried out until the entire crop is harvested. Instead of boxes for carrots, buckets of dry sand are sometimes used.

In plastic bags

Carrots are often stored in such a shell at home. It is necessary to use bags with a capacity of 30-35 kg. You should not tie it, otherwise instead of the planned 3-5% damage to the crop, you will get 100%. To maintain normal humidity in plastic bags, they must be left in open form. The carbon dioxide that vegetables emit can protect them from the development of many diseases. Bags of root vegetables should be placed closer to each other. This great way for storage on an industrial scale.

In the sawdust

Wood shavings effectively protect fruits from putrefactive processes and pest invasions, which are often the source of problems with the shelf life of root crops. They can also be used to store carrots in the apartment. To do this, fill a wooden container 8-10 cm with sawdust, spread the prepared harvest at intervals from each other and cover it with another layer of shavings of the same thickness.

The most effective way, according to gardeners, is to use sawdust from coniferous trees, which are distinguished by a high level of disinfection. They are also used for basement storage.

In the moss

Peeled and well-dried root vegetables in a cool place are placed in a box that already contains a layer of sphagnum (moss). The carrots are covered with it, then they are laid out again and the manipulation is repeated again. The same method is suitable for long-term storage of beets. Moss has peculiar preservative qualities that allow it to retain carbon dioxide inside. Compared to sand or clay, it is more lightweight material, which does not cause additional load to the boxes with carrots.

In paraffin

Washed and dried fruits are immersed in a container with molten paraffin, to which beeswax has previously been added for better elasticity in a small amount. This one is pretty unusual way allows you to preserve the taste and commercial characteristics of the prepared crop for 4-5 months, if you maintain the air temperature in the storage within 0-2°C. Carrots do not lose their freshness and usefulness; the structure of the pulp remains intact. original form.

Clay storage

The method involves the presence of boxes or boxes made of cardboard, water, clay and garlic. Considering that natural material It is distinguished by its ability to pass air well and retain moisture; it is often used for storing vegetables. Here you need to be prepared for the labor-intensive process. The clay is first sifted through a sieve, poured with liquid, and stirred until the consistency is like sour cream. The mixture is left for 3 hours, and during this time a solution of garlic is made.

Cleaned 10 heads of the spicy culture are passed through a meat grinder and diluted in two liters of water. Prepared carrots, from which the leaves have been trimmed, are dipped in garlic and then clay solution and dried. Root vegetables are transferred to containers and lowered into the cellar.

Long-lasting varieties

The choice of carrots plays an important role when it comes to storing vegetables for the winter. The duration of storage directly depends on the characteristics of a particular variety. Best performance keeping quality was observed in late-ripening or winter crops.

The list of popular varieties includes: Geranda, Cardinal, Valeria, Shantane, Grossa, Nantes-4, as well as Moscow winter, Losinoostrovskaya-13. Regardless of which variety will be planted, after harvesting the fruits must be dried and selected. Place the boxes in places with cool air and normal humidity for better storage vegetables

Carrots are a very capricious crop in terms of planting for the winter. But knowing the basic storage rules allows you to minimize this lack of tasty and healthy root vegetables.

Carrots are incredibly popular. Various dishes are prepared from it: from side dishes to sweets. How different ways store carrots in order to preserve the original taste and benefits of the root vegetable, you will learn by reading the article.

For the keeping quality of the crop it is very important:

• pick up suitable variety carrots;
• harvest on time;
• properly prepare the vegetable for storage.

Cleaning time

Harvesting time directly depends on the varietal of the vegetable. If harvested early, the root crop will not have time to ripen, which will negatively affect the storage of carrots at home in winter. Overripe specimens become unsuitable for food.

Weather conditions are no less important:

• How more difference temperatures, the worse the carrots will be stored.
• Combination low temperatures and high humidity (at rainy autumn) increases the risk of root crops being affected by gray rot.

Wait for dry, cool weather before cleaning.

Tip of the day

A few days before the intended harvest, completely eliminate irrigation. Root vegetables dried in the garden will retain their juiciness longer.

It is not correct to determine the ripening of carrots by the yellowing of the tops. If there is enough moisture, it does not turn yellow at all, and if there is not enough, it dries ahead of time.

Cleaning and preparation rules

Some useful tips will help you properly harvest and prepare it for storage:

1. Use a dull-toothed fork to remove root vegetables. Carefully remove vegetables from the soil, being careful not to injure the fruit.
2. Do not hesitate to trim the tops, the shoots quickly draw out moisture. This will definitely affect the storage of carrots in winter. It makes no sense to cut off the top of the root crop (the growing point), this will give the infection an additional opportunity to penetrate inside.
3. Dry the dug carrots in the sun, carefully clean off large lumps of earth and place them in a dark, dry place (garage, shed) to dry.
4. Keep the vegetables in “quarantine” for 6-8 days. During this period, the cuts will dry out and the fruits, unsuitable for storage, will make themselves known.
5. During “quarantine”, maintain the temperature at 10-12 °C. Carrots do not like sudden changes, and such a smooth transition will allow it to more easily adapt to new conditions.
6. Final stage: sort the fruits, removing spoiled specimens. Save small vegetables for immediate consumption, and process cracked ones.

Do you know that…

Some gardeners remove the tops 10-15 days before harvesting, claiming that this way they can increase the juiciness of the product.

Varieties for winter storage

The opinion that storing early ripening varieties for winter storage is a bad idea is wrong. A striking example of this is the Dutch hybrid “Abaco F1”, zoned for Central region. It ripens in 110 days, but lies well all winter.

Time-tested, shelf-stable varieties of carrots, adapted for most regions of Russia:

• "Nantes 4" (included in the register in 1943);
• "Chantane 2461" (1943);
• “Moscow Winter A 515” (1950);
• "Vitamin 6" (1969);
• "Samson" (2001);
• "Cascade F1" (2006).

Also check out the latest varieties and hybrids recommended for storage. You may not have heard of them yet.

Modern varieties and hybrids of carrots for winter storage. Click on the image to enlarge (opens in a new window)

Do you know that…

Varieties for obtaining bunched products are not suitable for storage, for example: “Amstardamskaya”, “Argo”, “Upperkat”, “Vnuchka”, “Derevenskaya”, “Children’s sweetness”, “Dunyasha”, etc. They are grown for consumption in season.

Product preservation conditions

To successfully store carrots at home, it is necessary to maintain a temperature balance. Elevated temperatures promote the germination of young tops, which will draw moisture from the pulp. It is optimal if the storage temperature is no higher than 5 °C.

The second parameter is humidity. An increase in humidity triggers the growth of fungal mycelium. A decrease in this indicator leads to drying of the fruit. A humidity level of 90-95% will help preserve carrots in winter.

These parameters have:

• subfloor of a private house;
• cold cellar;
• basement;
• insulated loggia or balcony;
• household refrigerator.

Do you know that…

Even a specially equipped storage facility will not protect the crop from damage. If over time about 10% of the root vegetables have spoiled, this is normal.

Preparing the storage

Before sending carrots to the basement or cellar, the room must be cleaned and treated:

1. Remove remnants of last year's harvest from all corners of the storage area.
2. Wash the shelves with a solution copper sulfate or bleach. Spray the walls thoroughly with the same mixture.
3. The sulfur bomb is recognized as the best cleaning method. Before using it, close vents and ventilation ducts. When the checker burns out, leave it for 3 days and thoroughly ventilate the room.
4. If you are using last year's containers, also disinfect them.
5. Don't forget about pests, because rodents will want to feast on the juicy pulp. Place mousetraps in advance and lay out poisoned bait.

Methods for storing fresh carrots

10 ways to store in the cellar

1. Boxes. The simplest and most popular way to preserve carrots for the whole winter at home is to place them in wooden or plastic boxes with solid walls. Carefully lay the root vegetables in layers, cover with a lid and place on shelves, keeping a distance of 10-15 cm from the floor and walls. Use as a stand wooden pallet. Do not load more than 20 kg into a container.
2. Sand, perlite, vermiculite. Take sand mixed with clay, moisten it clean water or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Place 3-5 cm of perlite, vermiculite (see) or wet sand. Lay out the root vegetables, leaving a small distance between them. Re-form a layer of filler on top. Alternate layers until the top of the container. You can simply cover the floor of the cellar with polyethylene and build a carrot pyramid.
3. Sawdust. Sprinkle the carrots with pine sawdust. They secrete phytoncides, which have bactericidal properties, suppress the growth of pathogenic flora, inhibit the metabolism of the vegetable, preventing the germination of shoots. Do not take sawdust from other trees - they do not contain phytoncides. The laying process is similar to using sand. Alternate layers of sawdust and fruit until the container is filled.
4. Onion and garlic peels. Besides pine needles phytoncidal properties possess and . Their husks will perfectly protect carrots from spoilage during winter storage. The laying is also carried out in layers.
5. Clay "shirt". Pour half a bucket of clay with water until the consistency of thick sour cream is obtained, mix thoroughly. Line the bottom of the container with film and form a carrot layer. Fill the vegetables with the solution, after drying, repeat creating new layers until the container is filled. Or dip each carrot in liquid clay. After the “shirts” dry, place them in a box.
6. Paraffinization. Wash the fruits first, being careful not to damage the skin, and dry thoroughly. Prepare a melt from a mixture of paraffin and beeswax. Let it cool a little. Dip each specimen into the melt. Wait for the coating to harden and place it in the prepared container.
7. Sphagnum moss. If you layer pre-cooled root vegetables with layers of moss, their freshness will remain for up to 8 months. The advantage of the method is the lightness of the container, because moss weighs little.
8. Chalk and ash. In this case, crushed chalk or wood ash is used. You will need 200 g of powder for every 10 kg of carrots. Roll the fruits in powder and put them in boxes. High level The pH will inhibit the development of fungi.
9. Wintering in a saucepan. Carrots can survive a harsh winter even in an enamel pan. Carefully place the dried fruits vertically. Cover the top with a piece of cotton cloth and cover with a lid.
10. Plastic bags. Storing carrots in the cellar in plastic bags is the least effective technique. Choose bags with a capacity of up to 25 kg. Do not tie them to prevent carbon dioxide from accumulating inside. Or poke holes in the walls. If condensation appears on the inner surface of the bag, place an absorbent nearby. Slaked lime will do.

An excellent container for storing carrots is sugar bags

Storage in the apartment

Lack of a cellar is not a reason for despair. It is enough to know how to store carrots in an apartment.

This can be done in a pantry or on an insulated loggia. When loading boxes, a layer of onion peel is laid between the fruits. Experienced summer residents recommend claying the crop before planting.

If you decide to store carrots on the balcony, lay them out on burlap in one layer and cover them with the same material on top. Before frost, you will have to load the harvest into a container and place it near the balcony door.

You can sprinkle carrots with sawdust. It is better to use a loggia on which a wooden box is made. It is permissible to place small vegetables in a jar, sprinkle with sawdust and flavor the mixture with pieces of horseradish. You can store the fruits without sawdust, but you will have to periodically remove spoiled specimens.

Tip of the day

If supplies freeze in winter, cover the carrots with felt.

How to store in the refrigerator

Now let's figure out how to store carrots in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator.

• Carrots should be washed before putting them in the refrigerator only if they are heavily soiled, after soaking them to loosen the dirt. This is done under running water without detergents and brushes. After which the fruits are well dried.
• Avoid contact with,. The ethylene they produce will shorten the shelf life of carrots.
• Place the selected specimens in one layer on the refrigerator shelf and leave for a day. Pre-cooling will prolong the freshness of the product.
• Pack 2-3 root vegetables in cling film or place up to 5-6 pieces in a plastic bag. Polyethylene will protect vegetables from loss of moisture, just do not forget to tie the “container” tightly.
• To prevent condensation from forming in the bag, wrap 2-3 carrots in paper or a napkin. This material will absorb excess moisture. Do not use newspapers; printing ink contains heavy metals.
• Taking out required amount root vegetables, check stocks for spoiled copies.

Only whole fruits are suitable for bookmarking. If you have a lot of cracked vegetables, it is best to wash and peel them. In this case, you shouldn’t count on long-term preservation even in the refrigerator.

We answer the question: how to store peeled carrots?

Pack the peeled fruits in plastic bags or wrap them cling film. Wrap a small amount in a damp towel or place in a saucepan with cold water. Be sure to process the product within 3-4 days.

Alternative storage methods

Since not all varieties are suitable for long-term fresh storage, you can resort to alternative ways: drying, freezing, preservation.

Modern varieties of carrots, suitable for both freezing and canning, are presented in the table:

Freezing

1. Entirely. Select small specimens of the same size without damage. Blanch the root vegetables for 3-4 minutes and then place them in ice water for 3-4 minutes. Drain in a colander and dry. Place in food containers or ziplock bags to protect the product from foreign odors. Put it in the freezer.
2. In pieces. Wash the vegetables thoroughly and peel them. Blanch as described above. Grind into cubes, strips or circles using a food processor or knife. Pack into bags, containers and into the freezer.
3. In grated form. Grate the washed and dried root vegetables on a coarse grater. Place in bags and put in the freezer. First, the packaging should lie loose. Once it is completely frozen, you can fold it tightly to save space.

Frozen vegetables in pieces can be used to prepare salads, gravy, side dishes, and grated carrots can be used for frying. Use it without defrosting. But whole specimens will have to be thawed first by keeping them on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator.

Note to the hostess

Food in the freezer quickly absorbs odors, so you should pack them carefully.

Carrots are one of the main ingredients in frozen vegetable mixtures.

Drying

Dried carrots don't take up much space and retain most of their nutritional properties.

Root vegetables are pre-blanched in the same way as for freezing, or an unprepared product is used. The fruits are crushed into strips or circles about 3 mm thick.

You can dry root vegetables:

1. On open air. The method saves energy, but not time. Place the product in one layer on a baking sheet or tray. Place in the sun. Bring sliced ​​carrots home every evening, otherwise they will become damp. Periodically stir the workpiece to ensure even drying. The dried semi-finished product will be ready in 5-7 days.
2. In the oven. Dry the prepared vegetable for 6-8 hours at a temperature of 60-80 °C, spreading it on a baking sheet in an even layer. It is important not to miss the moment of readiness, otherwise the carrot slices will fry.
3. In the microwave. This is the fastest harvesting method. Place the cut pieces on a plate and place in the microwave. Select maximum power and set the timer for 3 minutes. Reduce power by half and continue drying for another 3-5 minutes. Monitor the condition of the product every 30-45 seconds.
4. In the vegetable dryer. Read the instructions for your electric dryer to find the optimal mode. Place chopped carrots on the grill in one layer. Drying time depends on the device parameters.

And remember, drying time varies depending on how the vegetable is cut.

How to store dried carrots:

• After drying, spread in an even layer on a baking sheet and leave for 1-2 days.
• Then transfer to a tightly closed container or linen bag.
• Store in a dark, dry, cool place for one year.

Note to the hostess

Not only the fruits are dried, but also carrot tops, from which healthy tea is brewed. The greens are thoroughly washed, chopped and dried separately from the root vegetables.

At home vegetable crop(Mediterranean and Western Asia) the plant was first grown only for its aromatic tops and seeds

Canning

Canning will preserve the harvest for a long time. Heat treatment will lead to the loss of a large amount of vitamin C, but carotene will be almost completely preserved during sterilization. will remain good for 2-3 years.

We offer you a recipe for preparing crispy, spicy carrots. Take:

• one and a half kilograms of carrots;
• one head of garlic;
• , black peppercorns, vinegar.

Peel the root vegetable, chop into strips or slices. Pour boiling water and salt over the workpiece (1 tbsp per liter of water). Place the slices in jars as tightly as possible, add whole peeled garlic cloves and black pepper to taste. Pour in hot marinade. For a 0.5 liter jar you will need a glass of water, a teaspoon of sugar and salt, a tablespoon. After half an hour of sterilization, roll up the container with boiled lids. After cooling, remove to a dark and cool place.

Tip of the day

In a similar way, try rolling up a root vegetable shredded on a Korean grater or a whole root vegetable for the winter. Adjust the amount of seasonings to taste.

Unusual method

It won't require storage. The fruits can be left to winter in the garden, and in the spring you can get a vitamin product.

What to do:

1. After ripening, cut off the tops and fill the bed with sand.
2. Cover the top with film, on which lay mulch (leaves, peat, sawdust).
3. Cover the top again with film.

Under such a “pie” even after harsh winter the carrots will remain fresh. Layers may be different. For example, like in this video:

Now you know how to properly store carrots in the cellar, refrigerator, and even in the garden. All that remains is to choose the appropriate method.

Store correctly and be healthy!