Beet

Beetroot is a popular vegetable that is used in preparing various dishes, including dietary ones.

Proper storage allows you to make a reserve and save it until the next harvest. To do this, it is necessary to prepare the wound site and the vegetables themselves, intended to be kept for a long period of time.

Read the article about how and where to properly store beets.

Preparing for winter storage

When organizing the preservation of a harvest, especially a large one, it is necessary to pay attention to the selection and arrangement of the storage site itself and the processing of vegetables harvested for future use.

What vegetables are suitable?

For harvesting in winter, mid-ripening or late-ripening varieties are selected. They have better shelf life compared to earlier ones.

Harvest when the vegetables are fully ripe, choosing a cool, non-rainy day for this. When digging, you need to work carefully, trying not to damage the root crops.

Creating suitable conditions

Each vegetable has its own optimal storage conditions. Important indicators are:

• low positive temperature;
• sufficient humidity;
• lack of sunlight;
• availability of ventilation.

The best temperature for finding beets is from 0? C to +2? C or +4? C. At high temperatures, root vegetables will begin to lose moisture and dry out.If the temperature is negative, the beets may freeze and become unusable.

The optimal humidity for storing vegetables is from 85% to 90%. If the indicator is higher, there is a chance that the crop will begin to rot and mold will appear. In dry air, on the contrary, the vegetable will begin to dry out, losing its taste and attractive appearance.

In what container?

Depending on the type of storage, suitable containers are selected. If a cellar is designated for storing beets, then the choice of storage method is the widest. If there is a lack of free space, for example, in a conventional refrigerator, preference will have to be given to compact storage.

Popular storage options include:

• keeping in boxes in sand or sawdust;
• stowage in baskets;
• in bulk;
• in paper bags;
• in polyethylene.

Since it is important to ensure good air exchange for storage, some types of containers can be used with reservations.

Best neighbors

Not all vegetables can be kept in one storage area nearby. Such restrictions are associated with several factors:

1. The need to create different conditions of detention.
2. Vegetables release substances that can negatively affect nearby products.

Good companions for beets are the following vegetables:

• potato;
• onion;
• garlic.

Not suitable for close proximity carrot. And here apples It is advisable to move them to another place altogether, since their proximity will reduce the keeping quality of the beets.

Preliminary processing

The harvest from the garden must be properly processed. Only dry root vegetables that are not damaged are sent for storage. After the vegetables have dried, shake off any stuck soil.

Beets must be sorted before storing. Medium-sized fruits that are not damaged are best in winter.. Very large or, conversely, very small root crops are laid separately.

Beets that have damage of any kind are not sent to storage. Such vegetables are sent for processing or used first. You cannot wash beets before storing them.

Features and Rules

Harvesting beets for the winter should be carried out taking into account existing conditions. The most difficult thing is to store crops in an apartment. A well-prepared cellar or basement is best suited for long-term storage of large stocks. Read about storing beets at home in this article.

Room temperature

In apartment conditions, when it is impossible to organize storage in cool conditions, it will be difficult to keep beets for a long time.

If this is necessary, then for storage choose pantries, closed boxes and other places protected from sunlight.

You will have to sort through vegetables at least once a week. If you carefully monitor them and keep them away from the battery, the harvest can last up to 4 months.

Fridge

The refrigerator allows you to store relatively small amounts of vegetables due to limited space. The bottom compartment is suitable for beets.

How to properly store beets in the refrigerator, read Here.

Freezer

Beetroot can also be frozen, but only in crushed (grated or chopped) form. Boiled or raw vegetables are packaged in containers or bags and frozen in portions.

Balcony

Vegetables can be stored on the balcony when the weather is not hot, and it is possible to protect the beets from exposure to sunlight. It is most convenient for these purposes to use a wooden box with sand that has a closing lid. Foam plastic can be used to organize thermal insulation.

If there is a danger of frost, it is not advisable to keep vegetables on an open balcony.. If the balcony is closed and it is possible to maintain the temperature and humidity required for storing vegetables, the beets will last until spring.

Cellar

Large stocks of beets can be stored in the basement. In order for root vegetables to stand well, they must be prepared. It is also important to pay attention to the preparation of the cellar itself.

Before placing a new crop in it, the basement is cleaned - the garbage is thrown out and the remains of last year's harvest are taken out. If necessary, disinfection is carried out.

Taking into account the size of the crop, a place is allocated - this could be a platform, shelves for drawers or fences. It is advisable to organize storage not directly on the floor, but to make at least a small wooden podium that provides a rise above the floor level of at least 10-15 cm.

Before setting up a food storage facility in the cellar, it is necessary to take measures to protect it from rodent infestation. More details can be found here.

Deadlines

Shelf life directly depends on two main factors:

1. Condition of beets.
2. Conditions in the storage area for vegetables.

If the process is properly organized, the beets can remain in the basement until the next harvest. In a box on a closed balcony while maintaining the right conditions - until spring. In an apartment - up to 4 months. Frozen vegetables can be stored for up to a year. Details - in this article.

How to preserve boiled vegetables?

Cooked root vegetables can be stored in the refrigerator for several days.. To do this, place the beets in a container or other container with a lid. If the vegetable is already peeled, then the shelf life is reduced to 1-3 days in the refrigerator.

Read about storing boiled beets Here And here.

Beet juice

Freshly squeezed beet juice, like other fresh juices, has a short shelf life. Squeezed from beets, it should stand for 40 minutes in a warm place before use.

The maximum shelf life of fresh juice in a refrigerator is one day.. It is better to keep the juice in a glass container, under a lid. It is not advisable to use plastic for these purposes, since the shelf life is halved.

Another option is to store it in a vacuum container in the refrigerator. With this method, the juice will be suitable for consumption within several days.

Possible difficulties and solutions

People often ask why beets turn black inside during storage and shrivel.When storing vegetables, you may encounter a number of problems:

Decay

If such a situation arises, the harvest needs to be sorted out unscheduled. All damaged root crops are removed from storage, and the rest are dried.

The source of the problem may be a violation of storage conditions. This could be, for example, high humidity due to lack of ventilation.

Vegetables that were grown with violations may also taste poorly.. For example, too much fertilizer was applied or too much watering was carried out, especially on the eve of harvest.

Germination of tops

If the beets begin to sprout, you need to check the temperature in the place where the vegetables were planted. At high rates, vegetables begin not only to sprout, but also to dry out.

Drying (wrinkling)

If the vegetables begin to dry out, you need to check the following points:

• temperature compliance;
• Is the humidity level too low?
• Are the crops exposed to sunlight?

Returning to the necessary conditions in storage will help stop spoilage.

Conclusion

You can store beets even until the next harvest, if you approach the issue thoroughly. When properly organized, the vegetable retains all its beneficial substances and taste.