All the most important things about storing carrots for the winter in sawdust

Carrots are a common vegetable that, if stored properly, can last for many months. One of the methods of preserving the harvest is in sawdust.

To do this, you need to choose the right storage location, container and choose the sawdust itself.

We will tell you in the article whether it is possible to store and how to properly organize the storage of carrots for the winter in sawdust.

Advantages and disadvantages of the method

Carrot storage in sawdust - a long-practiced method that ensures long-term storage of vegetables.

Advantages of this method:

• long-term storage;
• reliable protection of root crops from diseases and infections;
• easy cleaning of carrots from sawdust after storage;
• simplicity of organization.

In addition to the undeniable advantages, the technique also has disadvantages:

• the need to have a lot of sawdust;
• each layer needs to be poured, which can be labor-intensive for large volumes of workpieces;
• sawdust tends to generate dust;
• sawdust can provoke allergies.

Preparation

Proper storage of carrots in sawdust requires compliance with all mandatory conditions:

1. Creating conditions in the storage.
2. Selection of containers.
3. Selection of sawdust.
4. Proper cultivation and processing of carrots before planting.

Selection of containers

The duration of storage largely depends on the choice of container. The best option is a box designed for no more than 20 kg (better - 15-18 kg), and equipped with a lid. A wooden or cardboard one is suitable, which does not have significant gaps so that sawdust does not spill through them.

When planning the placement of crops in winter, the following conditions must be met:

• containers should not be placed directly on the cellar floor - only on wooden podiums or shelves;
• the container should not be moved close to the walls of the cellar - it is necessary to leave a free space of at least 10 cm.

Sometimes a method is used to store carrots directly on shelves, without containers. In this case, sawdust will be poured directly onto the shelves. This option is less preferable and neat, and moreover, much more sawdust will be required than for putting it in boxes.

Type of wood for sawdust

Not just any sawdust is suitable for preserving carrots - Conifers are needed, they are the ones that prevent the development of fungus and damage to the crop by diseases.

High-quality storage of vegetables occurs thanks to the phytoncides contained in wood shavings.

Room

A convenient room for storing large quantities of carrots in sawdust is an equipped cellar. First, the remnants of last year's harvest should be removed from it and disinfected.

Suitable conditions for finding the root crop are the following:

• humidity – up to 95%;
• air temperature – in the range from -2? C to +2? C.

If there are no racks or podiums for placing boxes with supplies, they must be made in advance. Read more about carrot storage temperatures here.

How to prepare a vegetable?

For winter storage healthy, ripe root crops are selected, preferably late-ripening varieties, adapted to the climatic conditions of the growing region.

From the entire volume of harvested vegetables, damaged ones, those with an uneven structure and other defects are rejected.

Before sending carrots for long-term storage, it needs to be prepared:

1. Shake off the soil.
2. Cut off the tops so that unnecessary greens do not absorb useful substances.
3. Cut off the remaining head (by 10 mm) to avoid germination in the future.
4. Trim the ponytails.
5. Dry for three days.

It is better to give preference to medium-sized carrots with a canonical shape. Read about how to prepare carrots for storage. Here.

How to store?

Procedure for adding vegetables:

1. Place the box in its designated place.
2. Spread sawdust in a layer of 20-50 mm.
3. Place the carrots on the resulting “pillow” so that the vegetables do not touch each other.
4. Add a layer of sawdust to completely cover all the carrots in the bottom row.
5. Repeat alternating layers of carrots and sawdust until the top of the box.
6. Cover the container with a lid.

Possible problems

If all organizational aspects are taken into account, the carrots meet all quality requirements and suitable sawdust is selected, storage should proceed without problems.

The following problems may arise with the storage of the workpiece:

During storage, the compatibility of the crops being stored should also be taken into account. Carrots, for example, can be stored near beets, but preferably not in the same container. And from apples And cabbage it should be separated, since such proximity negatively affects the keeping quality of vegetables.

You can learn about storing carrots and beets in the cellar here, at home - Here.

Alternative methods

In addition to sawdust, other methods can be used to store carrots. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Is it possible in polyethylene?

Carrots can be kept cool in plastic bags. Such packaging should not be tied tightly, as the vegetable releases carbon dioxide as it sits..

In a confined space, this will contribute to the spoilage of root crops. In this regard, it is necessary to arrange additional holes and place some ash inside to absorb moisture.

If you use polyethylene, the carrots will last for several months (3-4), but not until the next harvest.

Instead of sealed polyethylene, it is advisable to use woven polyethylene bags, which are used for sugar and other bulk products.

You can learn about the pros and cons of storing carrots in bags Here.

Clay

The clay is diluted to the state of thick sour cream: left for 3 or 4 days to swell. During this time, the solution is stirred periodically.

This method is an effective storage option that allows the harvest to last up to a year, but the preparation process itself is very messy.

Moss

Carrots can be stored in moist moss in bins. This proximity allows the vegetable to lie for a long time due to the preservative properties of moss, which allows it to retain carbon dioxide.

Another plus is that moss is a lightweight material that does not put additional pressure on vegetables. The top of such storage is covered with a tarpaulin to prevent moisture evaporation.

If the cellar is damp, then moss will be preferable to storing supplies in sand.

Enameled cookware

Large enamel pots and buckets can also be used to store carrot supplies.

Prepared root vegetables are placed vertically in containers. Place a napkin on top and cover everything with a lid.

Onion and garlic peel

If you collect enough onion and garlic peels throughout the year, you can organize storage of carrots even until the next season.

Sand

This method of storing carrots is one of the most popular and often used by gardeners. Its implementation allows you to leave root crops in good condition from six months to 9 months.

The sand should be damp but not wet. If you have dry sand, you can increase its humidity as follows: add a liter of water to each bucket of sand and mix. Carrots are stored in layers, similar to storage in sawdust.

Recommendations

During long-term storage The safety of the crop is ensured by observing the conditions and following the following recommendations:

1. Vegetables are not washed before storing.
2. Even small cracks on the surface are a reason to reject the root crop.
3. Small root crops are stored better in winter.
4. Unsuitable sawdust can ruin the harvest.
5. Storing collected vegetables in sawdust cannot serve as protection against rodents.

Reviews

When choosing a method for storing carrots, the opinions of summer residents agree that sand and sawdust are one of the best options for long-term preservation of the crop in a cellar or on an equipped balcony.

Video on the topic of the article

This video will tell you about storing carrots in sawdust:

Conclusion

Storing vegetables in sawdust provides a fairly long shelf life. The method itself is not particularly complicated or labor intensive., which allows you to implement it yourself even without much experience in preserving vegetable stocks, including for novice gardeners.