How to properly organize the storage of carrots in bags?
Growing a great carrot crop is half the battle. It is necessary to preserve root vegetables until spring so that they do not lose vitamins and remain juicy and tasty.
One way to store carrots for a long time is to pack them in plastic bags.
In this article we will look in detail at the methods carrot storage in bags (vacuum, plastic), which varieties are suitable for this, can it be stored together with beets.
Content
Can it be stored?
This method of preserving root crops is suitable for those gardeners who plant a small amount of vegetables for the winter.
Isolated from the external environment, the root crop is not exposed to negative effects:
- sudden increase or decrease in humidity in the storage;
- the spread of fungal spores from diseased vegetables.
But the vegetable itself releases heat and carbon dioxide during storage. At a storage temperature of 0 degrees, 1 kg of carrots releases up to 5 mg of CO2 and 0.5 kcal of heat per day into the atmosphere.
As the temperature in the room increases, heat generation increases many times over and the vegetable itself. Over time, the amount of carbon dioxide in the bag accumulates and the temperature rises, which leads to an acceleration of metabolic processes in the root crop.
The root crop loses turgor (withers), the vitamins in it begin to deteriorate.When the storage temperature rises to 10-12 degrees, the biological sleep of the vegetable is interrupted, and its tops and roots begin to grow.
You can store carrots in bags for 2-3 months, provided the vegetable is stored in cold storage.
Pros and cons
According to reviews from experienced gardeners, storing root vegetables in bags has undoubted advantages:
- Convenient to use portioned volume of vegetables in a bag.
- Carrots are placed clean and do not get dirty during storage.
- In transparent containers it is easy to see the beginning of spoilage of vegetables.
- When rot forms in one bag, the disease does not spread to other vegetables.
Some vegetable growers solve this problem by making ventilation holes in the walls of the bag.
Preparation
Proper harvesting is of great importance for the safe preservation of vegetables.. It is necessary to dig up carrots when they have reached full ripeness.
It is not advisable to keep the root crop in the garden; when the soil temperature is below +5 degrees, the carrots stop growing and may crack.
In cold and wet soil, the root crop begins to rot and its shelf life decreases.
Harvest it in dry weather, trying not to damage the root crop.. The tops are cut off immediately after harvesting, since the root crop quickly loses moisture through the greens. It is necessary to trim the greens flush with the hangers, without damaging the root itself.
After harvesting, the vegetable is laid out under a canopy or in a shed to dry. It is advisable to spread the root vegetables in one layer on a mesh or lattice tray. Depending on the air temperature, drying takes from 3 hours to 2 days.The hotter the room, the shorter the drying time.
Does it need to be washed?
There is no clear answer to this question. There are pros and cons to washing carrots, they are shown in the table:
| pros | Minuses |
| Wounds and traces of disease are clearly visible on the washed root crop. | The complexity of the process. |
| Washed carrots are not affected by infection, the pathogens of which are found in the soil. | If you rub the vegetable with brushes when washing, there is a danger of damaging the skin. |
| A clean root vegetable looks attractive. | Water is a favorable environment for the development of bacteria, so carrots are dried especially carefully before storage. |
To wash or not to wash carrots is up to the gardener to decide, based on his own capabilities. If the root crop was harvested in dry weather and visually looks clean, there is no urgent need for additional washing.
Vegetable selection criteria
Carrots for storage in bags are selected especially carefully, since root crops stored in plastic bags are not sorted.
For storage, choose a vegetable that meets the following requirements:
- the average size;
- the skin is smooth, without wounds, cracks, or signs of being eaten by pests;
- hardness is high.
Soft and damaged carrots should not be stored. It is processed, or alternatively, it is grated and frozen in portions in the same bags.
How to store in bags?
Storage bags are thick and new. Thin packaging bags are not suitable, they are fragile.
In polyethylene
It is better to use small containers with a capacity of up to 3 kg. A small volume of vegetables releases less heat and carbon dioxide during storage, which means root vegetables stay fresh longer.
In a small bag it is easier to assess the condition of root vegetables and remove spoiled ones:
- Clean, dried, firm carrots are placed in a new, dry bag.There is no need to stuff the bag too tightly; the looser the vegetables, the better.
- The bag is tied tightly.
- Using an awl, several holes are pierced in the bag from different sides.
In vacuum
Without access to air, root vegetables can be preserved for a very short time - no more than 3 weeks. A vacuum is used to preserve carrots prepared for consumption (cleanly washed, chopped, boiled):
- The product is placed in a bag, compacted tightly. There should be at least 4 cm left to the edge of the bag for ease of insertion into the vacuum sealer.
- Using a vacuum device, the air is pumped out of the bag.
Together with beets in one container
The temperature and humidity requirements for carrots and beets are similar. However, different densities of the skin of root crops can cause damage to the beets during storage.
Arguments for shared storage:
- you can put vegetables in one container in the ratio as needed for further use;
- During storage, beets absorb excess moisture formed in the bag, and carrots lie better.
To avoid this, the root vegetables are not mixed together in the bag: carrots are placed in layers on the bottom, and beets are placed on top of them.
Where is the best place to place packaged root vegetables?
Plastic bags with root vegetables are kept in a cellar or pantry at a temperature of 0 to +3 degrees. They are laid out in 1-2 layers on shelves or in mesh boxes.
You should not pile a large pile, as this will impede ventilation.. You can hang the bags from the ceiling, so they will be well ventilated.
You can place vegetables in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment. Vacuum bags are kept only in the refrigerator or freezer.
How long will it be stored, how can I increase the shelf life?
In bags, the vegetable is stored for no more than 3-4 months in the cellar, and no more than 2 months in the refrigerator. You can extend the shelf life if you cool the root vegetables and containers to 0 degrees before storing.
Are all varieties suitable?
For winter consumption, late-ripening and mid-ripening varieties of carrots are grown, which have great hardness and a high dry matter content. Early varieties are suitable for current consumption and freezing.
The following varieties store well:
- Queen of Autumn;
- Samson;
- Flaccoro;
- Karotan;
- Vitamin;
- Nantes.
Tips on the topic
Only healthy and clean carrots with intact skin are suitable for putting into bags. Cut root vegetables can be immediately chopped and frozen in vacuum packaging. Use later for soups and stews.
During storage, you need to monitor the presence of condensation inside the container.. If perspiration has collected on the walls of the bag, it is untied or additional holes are made.
It is recommended to choose bags with a capacity of 2-3 kg. Small quantities of vegetables are easier to control.
Conclusion
Storing carrots in bags is gaining popularity among gardeners, despite the short duration of such storage. It allows you to keep vegetables clean and always accessible for inspection.
