Where to store carrots at home
Many housewives mistakenly store carrots in places where they quickly rot and lose their taste.
Can carrots be stored in the freezer?
When stored in the freezer, carrots retain all the beneficial substances, while they are protected from lethargy and rotting. This means that the freezer is the best option for storing carrots at any time of the year.
It is most important to freeze carrots for the winter, since at this time they are too expensive and saturated with various pesticides.
To ensure that carrots are well preserved, and at the same time it is convenient for you to use them, adhere to the following rules:
- Before freezing, clean the top layer of dirt;
- do not freeze old or rotten carrots;
- for convenience, grate it in advance or cut it into rings;
- the vegetable must be undamaged.
If you follow these rules, then the carrots will retain all their qualities and remain fresh.
Can carrots be stored in the refrigerator?
If the vegetable is not frozen, but simply stored in the main compartment of the refrigerator, then the time frame is significantly reduced.
At temperatures from 0 to +4 degrees it will retain its properties for no more than 3 days, then it will begin to wither.
Modern refrigerators have a special compartment for vegetables, which prevents constant temperature changes, thereby keeping carrots from rotting. You can store root vegetables in it for up to 1 month. For a longer storage period, a freezer is used.
Don't forget to process carrots before storing. Clean it from dirt and damage.
Where to store carrots in an apartment
Compared to a cellar, storing vegetables in an apartment is quite problematic. Prepare your storage area in advance. It should be moderately moist and cool. A loggia or storage room is best. Place vegetables on the floor, as this is where the humidity is highest.
Pay attention to the condition of the carrots. It should be free of any damage or dark places. It should be firm to the touch, with no soft areas. Clean external damage, cut off the tops and place in a plastic bag or cling film.
Even if you adhere to all the conditions, carrots cannot be stored in an apartment for a long time, so regularly check that they have not spoiled.
Where to store carrots in a private house and in the country
Much more possibilities open up for storage in a private home or country house, and you have many options for the technology for preserving carrots for the maximum period. The best option would be a cellar, since it always has a lot of moisture and a low temperature. More often, owners use wooden boxes, but you can also place it on the floor, as long as it is perfectly clean.
There are several popular options for preserving carrots:
- There are pine needles in the branches. Coniferous trees do not allow fungus and various bacteria to multiply.
- In the sawdust of berry trees. This method is only effective for a few months. After a certain time, replace the sawdust, as it can harbor parasites.
- In sand. Sand retains moisture well, and fungus does not grow in it. For a longer shelf life, use raw sand and change it every 2-3 months.
- In onion and garlic peels. These elements block the carrots from rotting, but leave an odor. It will disappear after washing the root vegetable with warm water.
You can also use options such as embalming with clay or chalk, or covering with special moss.
Varieties of carrots that store better and longer
When storing vegetables, many summer residents come across the problem of rotting. There may be several reasons for the spoilage of root crops. The most common of them is an incorrectly selected variety of carrots for storage.
Early ripening
If the ripening period of carrots is less than 100 days, then these are early varieties. Most often they are planted before winter or early spring to obtain a harvest in summer. But many early varieties have good shelf life and are stored until the end of winter without changing their taste.
Tushon - has a medium-sized fruit. If this variety is planted in mid-June, it will ripen by autumn; it can be stored in the basement until March.
Early variety of carrots "Artek"
Artek is the most unpretentious variety with excellent taste. For partial harvesting (in bunches) it ripens in 45 days. This carrot variety is suitable for winter storage when planted late (mid-June).
Zabava F1 is a hybrid for summer consumption. The fruits are miniature, but the taste is excellent. Excellent storage in the basement for a long period - until April.
Mid-season
It takes 100-120 days to ripen – these varieties have the best taste.
Nantes-4 - requires additional care, but the return pays off. From a small piece of land you can reap a rich harvest. These carrots can be stored until April.
Samson - carrots are shaped like a spindle and are not susceptible to diseases. With a delicate aroma and sweet taste without a pith, this is a distinctive feature of the variety. If all storage rules are followed in the cellar, it can remain usable until the month of May.
Late carrot variety "Vita-Longa"
Vita-longa - valued for its high transportability. The fruits do not spoil until late spring without changing their taste.
Among the products of Dutch selection are O and Forto, which are ideal for long-term storage, are resistant to diseases, transportable and have excellent taste.
Late ripening
These varieties are specially designed for long-term storage. Ripen in 120-140 days. Their distinctive feature is resistance to cold and pests.
Late variety of carrots “Queen of Autumn”
Queen of Autumn , the variety received this name for a reason: the product of Russian selection, entered into the register in 2005, did not disappoint consumers. Having good yield and high taste, it is perfectly stored until April.
Olympus is a productive variety with compact fruits, ideal for storage until spring. The pulp is dense, very sweet. It does not lose its taste when left outside the garden for several months.
Red giant is a very popular variety of German selection. Long (25 cm) and large (140 g) root vegetables are stored without loss of taste until April. Then the taste quality decreases. The yield is 3 kg per square meter, but increases with winter sowing.
Emperor - the fruits of this variety can be transported over considerable distances without losing their presentation. The peculiarity of the variety is its large (up to 30 cm) fruits. Juicy taste and aroma, practically not susceptible to crop diseases.
Canada F1 is a hybrid that does not require special care; this does not affect the yield. The fruits are very large - up to 500 g. At the same time, they have a pleasant taste, juiciness, and sweetness, which are not lost during long-term storage.
The varieties “Moskovskaya Zimnyaya”, “Chantane”, “Vitaminnaya-6” show good results during storage.
How to properly store carrots in the refrigerator
The best place to store carrots is in the refrigerator, however, if you just put them on a shelf, their properties will evaporate faster. In this regard, there are certain rules, adhering to which, you will preserve the root crop for the maximum period.
Unwashed carrots in plastic bags
It is recommended to store unwashed fruits separately in plastic bags, since slight rotting may be hidden under a layer of dirt. If they lie together, then with a high probability the rotting will spread to another vegetable. Before putting the carrots in the refrigerator, pump out the air from the bag and tie it tightly.
Unwashed carrots in paper
An alternative to bags is paper. It is capable of retaining moisture, but must be replaced if necessary. Use white paper, without paints, since with increased moisture formation the fruit will absorb foreign odors. Check its condition regularly.
Washed carrots
Washed carrots have advantages such as damage detection and quick application. However, before storing it, make sure that there is no water on it. This factor significantly accelerates rotting. Also, when washing off the dirt, you remove a lot of harmful organisms from the root crop that affect the spoilage of the vegetable.
Washed carrots in a container
Clean the container from germs by washing. Put only dry carrots in it. Before storage, it is recommended to cool the container in the refrigerator in advance to avoid sudden temperature changes.
Washed and cleaned in water or damp towel
Carrots can retain their beneficial properties in water for up to five days, so before placing them in a container, pour clean water into it. As an alternative, you can use a damp towel, the effect will be no less beneficial.
In cling film
The cling film tightly envelops the vegetable, thereby blocking the flow of air. In a closed film, carrots do not emit ethylene, a substance that stimulates over-ripening, as much.
How to properly store frozen carrots
If the freezer capacity is large, then you can prepare carrots in advance for the corresponding dishes. It can be grated and divided into portions.
At a temperature of -5 degrees or more, it is stored for at least six months in any form, without losing its beneficial qualities.
How to store peeled carrots for a day
There are several ways to effectively store carrots for the short term. To preserve all the beneficial properties, use one of the options:
- rub the vegetable with lemon juice and pack in cling film;
- take clean water into a container and place the carrots;
- grate the root vegetable and place in a plastic bag.
You can also scald the vegetable with boiling water, but it will need to be applied within the next 12 hours.
How to store chopped carrots
Everything will depend on the storage period and location. If you grate carrots in portions and want to use them over a long period of time, then only the freezer is suitable for you. Place the chopped root vegetable in a plastic bag and remove excess air.
For a storage period of 2–5 hours, the main or vegetable compartment of the refrigerator is suitable.
Is it possible in autumn and winter?
Carrots are sensitive to temperature and air humidity. Therefore, when choosing a balcony for storing it, you need to create conditions in which it will not freeze, overheat and dry out.
In autumn, root vegetables can be stored on an open balcony. In this case, you need to monitor the weather .
If the temperature at night begins to drop below zero, it is necessary to take additional measures aimed at insulating the crop. On the open balcony, fresh carrots can remain until frost.
On a glazed loggia, the crop can be left to overwinter , but only on the condition that the temperature there does not drop below -3 degrees.
How to store carrots in winter
Carrot varieties that store well
Types of carrots are divided into three groups - late-ripening, mid-ripening and early-ripening fruits. Late-ripening root vegetables have the maximum shelf life, since they are well protected from cold and rotting. This type of carrot includes the following varieties: Olympus, Sweet Winter, Dolyanka, Queen of Autumn and Emperor.
How to properly prepare carrots?
After you have dug up carrots or bought them at the store, you need to trim the tops. First, cut off the greens and wash them, then after washing, let them dry and cut off the top part by 1 cm. This way you will block the rapid germination of new tops.
The next step will be drying. Place the carrots in a dark, dry place and leave to dry for a week. After this, it will be easier for you to sort the fruits by cracks and rotten areas.
Do I need to pre-wash?
If you carried out the drying procedure, then there is no point in washing it, since pieces of dirt and other debris can easily fall off. However, it is recommended to disinfect the surface before storage. Usually carrots are infused in potassium permanganate for 2–3 hours.
The best varieties for storing at home
For storage on the balcony, you need to choose those varieties that are characterized by increased shelf life. These can be mid-season and late-ripening vegetables that are resistant to diseases and low temperatures.
These varieties include:
Queen of Autumn . A late-ripening variety that is harvested 120 days after germination. These seeds were bred by Russian breeders taking into account the harsh weather conditions prevailing in the country.- Flaccoro. A Dutch variety that, if optimal conditions are created, will be stored until warmer weather sets in.
- Samson. The variety has excellent disease resistance. The fruits are smooth, large, and not prone to cracking. You can store Samson carrots on the balcony until mid-spring.
How to properly store carrots in a cellar or basement
Having a cellar or basement is a good perk for storing vegetables. However, if you do not follow the rules, the shelf life of carrots will be short.
Preparing the cellar
Immediately clear the room of debris and dirt. There should be no mold growth on the walls in the intended storage location. In case of high humidity, open everything until completely dry. If mold has formed on the shelves, they need to be cleaned, dried or replaced. For an ideal result, whitewash the walls with quicklime. It will protect vegetables from the appearance of fungus and the accumulation of harmful microorganisms.
In plastic bags
Place the dried carrots in any plastic bag and leave it open. If you have a large quantity of carrots, sort them into plastic containers in the amount of 8–12 pieces. If any vegetable begins to rot, most will be protected from spoilage.
In sand
Place the carrots in layers so they don't touch each other, then cover them with a layer of damp sand. Repeat this procedure with each layer. When the top is completely dry, spray the sand with water on the sides and center.
In pine sawdust
Sawdust prevents the appearance of bacteria, fungus and harmful substances. The process of laying carrots is similar to sand. Place the carrots separately from each other and cover them with pine sawdust, and the height of the layer should not be less than 3 cm.
In the moss
Sphagnum moss has a substance that prevents rotting and fungal growth. If you assemble it yourself, then dry it first. Then package it in bags and use it to prepare carrots for the winter. Moss is used only once, so it needs to be harvested again next year. The substance is also sold in specialized stores in a ready-made state.
In clay
Using clay is not the cleanest method of storage, but the applied mask protects it from harmful substances. The outer shell also protects against rotting. To use, dilute the clay with water until a thick mixture is formed, then immerse vegetables in the solution one by one and lay them out to dry. Once the clay has set, move the carrots into boxes and lower them into the cellar.
In onion or garlic peel
Garlic and onion peels prevent the penetration of microorganisms, prevent the appearance of fungus and prevent carrots from rotting. Place a sufficient amount of husks into storage bags. If it is crushed, the protective effect will increase. Place the root vegetable in the container and shake until it is coated in the husk. After this, lower the bags into the cellar.
In the beds
A unique and challenging way is to leave the carrots in the garden. Do not risk all the fruits; use several beds for the experiment. First, cut off the tops of the sprouted carrots. Then fill the area with sand and cover with plastic. At the end, cover everything with peat or humus. This method is not relevant in winter, but in early spring you can remove enriched carrots. At very low air temperatures, the fruit can freeze, so this method is relevant only in certain regions of Russia.
In enamel pans
Enameled cookware prevents the appearance of rye on metal and the smell of iron. We cut off the tops of the root crop, wash it from dirt and leave it to dry. Then place it in a pan in a vertical position and cover with a napkin or paper.
In plastic boxes
Fungus does not form on plastic and bacteria do not multiply, so its use is one of the simplest and most effective. Use sand, sawdust or moss as filler. In a standard plastic container, no more than 2 layers of carrots are usually placed.
Harvesting and preparing it for storage
To preserve carrots until spring and not lose their properties, it is necessary to harvest them correctly. Root crops must be harvested upon reaching full technical maturity, which depends on the growing conditions and variety. On average, this is 90-120 days from the date carrots emerge.
On a note! For harvesting, choose dry weather on the waning moon of the calendar.
Dig up the carrots with a shovel and pull them out by the tops, being careful not to damage the roots. Carrots with mechanical damage cannot be stored for long periods of time.
Preparing carrots for storage
If the weather is dry and good, the vegetables are dried in the garden, otherwise they are placed under a canopy with constant air circulation and minimal humidity. In such conditions, the root vegetables are kept until completely dry, but they should not be kept for long - they very easily give up moisture and wither.
Storing carrots for the winter while maintaining their nutritional properties depends on the variety and storage conditions.
How to use a caisson?
A caisson is a sealed container of various sizes. Previously, they were created using concrete slabs, but underwater water found its way out at the joints. Today, manufacturers offer the best option - a plastic caisson. Such a room has the following advantages:
- 100% tight;
- absence of fungus and harmful bacteria;
- ease of installation.
To install a caisson, you need to first dig a hole that will fit the size of the room. The structure is then lowered and compacted with earth.
General rules for storing crops
Whatever method you choose to store carrots, there are general rules that should be followed.
Firstly, this is the preparation of the premises and containers for storage. Not the most difficult, but very important task, neglect of which is fraught with loss of harvest. This procedure must be done 1.5-2 months before planting the crop.
On a note! If you have not stored carrots yet, but just want to do so, choose a cool, dark room, free of foreign odors, or prepare the necessary containers.
We clean the storage room of debris, ventilate it well and disinfect it. To do this, prepare a solution of bleach and spray the walls and ceiling with it. You can purchase a ready-made solution (for example, “Belizna”) and dilute it according to the instructions. It is very important to carry out disinfection no later than a month before planting the crop. After the procedure, the room should be whitened with a solution of lime and copper sulfate: 2 kg of slaked lime and 200 g of copper sulfate per 10 liters of water.
Storing carrots in wooden boxes
Be sure to disinfect and dry storage boxes thoroughly. This will be enough for plastic ones, but wooden boxes can additionally be whitewashed.
Don’t forget about safety precautions - you need to wear protective equipment when working!
Secondly, before storing carrots, you need to select and prepare them. To do this, carefully clean the carrots dried in the garden from the soil. We reject suspicious carrots with soft areas, cuts, scratches and atypical spots.
When sorting carrots, we divide them into three categories according to the size of the fruit:
- small – can be used immediately;
- average;
- large ones – these are the fruits we store for long-term storage.
Fresh carrots are a source of vitamin A.
Cut the tops of carrots using a knife or pruning shears. Some gardeners recommend leaving a tail 2-3 cm long.
Shelf life of carrots
The shelf life depends on the location, conditions and type of carrots. In the apartment, the best area will be only the freezer; all other places will store carrots for no more than 1 month.
Fresh carrots
If all thermal conditions are met, fresh carrots can retain their beneficial properties for up to 6 months, but for this you will need to carefully process them and regularly monitor their condition. In the freezer the maximum period is 1 year, in the vegetable compartment 2-3 months, in a cool place - no more than 1 week.
Washed carrots
The storage conditions for washed carrots are practically no different, but the best option would be the refrigerator; just before storing them, wrap them in a plastic bag or cling film.
Grated carrots
Grated carrots lose their juice too quickly, so they retain their beneficial substances for no more than six days. After a week it will become dry and tasteless.
Boiled carrots
After cooking, the vegetable becomes too vulnerable to the environment, so the maximum period for use does not exceed two days. Later it will become too soft, become covered with a film and disappear.
Shelf life of carrots in Korean
With the addition of non-perishable ingredients, carrots will retain their flavor and beneficial properties for about 14 days, but only at temperatures between 0 and -3 degrees.
How long can you store freshly squeezed carrot juice?
Pure carrot juice has a lot of beneficial substances, but they quickly disappear. If the temperature conditions are met, the juice can be stored for up to 14 hours, but if it is in the refrigerator, its taste may change as foreign odors are quickly absorbed. In this regard, consume freshly squeezed carrot juice within the next 3-4 hours to avoid changes in consistency.
Carrots are a fairly hardy vegetable, however, if some rules are not applied, they will become vulnerable to microorganisms and rot. Storage conditions will depend entirely on your preferences. The maximum storage period is 1 year, so you don’t have to buy carrots saturated with pesticides in the store at all, but grow and preserve the root crop yourself.
Possible problems and solutions
Even if all the rules are followed, carrots on the balcony may begin to deteriorate. The problem that arises must be corrected immediately by taking the following measures:
- Vegetables freeze . If the air temperature drops below -2 degrees, the container must be insulated with felt. During severe frosts, boxes of vegetables can be brought into the apartment. To keep them from getting too hot, you can leave them by the balcony door. As soon as the temperature returns to normal, the container is returned.
- The harvest is sprouting . In this case, repeated pruning is required. The tops may break through if a growing point was left on the head.
- There was mold in the drawers . Rotten fruits must be removed, and unaffected specimens should be sprinkled with wood ash mixed with sand.
- The carrots began to wilt . This occurs due to low humidity levels. You can increase it by covering the drawers with thick fabric.
At what temperature should it be stored on the balcony?
The temperature at which carrots retain vitamins, minerals and taste is from 0 to + 1 C with a humidity of 85-90%. Make sure that it does not fall lower, otherwise the vegetable will freeze.
When frost sets in, bring it indoors. The permissible temperature when storing on the balcony is from + 1 to + 8 degrees. If the temperature on the balcony is sub-zero, the carrot juice will freeze.
After the temperature increases, all the juice will begin to flow out through the cracks in the root crop formed due to ice. Through the cracks, all kinds of infection will penetrate into the vegetables, which will lead to rotting of the carrots.
If the temperature rises above +8 degrees, the carrots, due to the acceleration of metabolism, will begin to sprout or rot.
At temperatures above + 8 degrees, the vegetable will begin to dry out and simply wither. Ventilation on the balcony should be weak, because along with fresh air, bad microorganisms that cause diseases will penetrate.
When the humidity percentage changes, the carrots will quickly dry out and wilt.
Vegetables with thin skin require more careful handling. It cannot be washed or cleaned.
If there is no cellar and basement. What to do?
In city apartments you can also find a place to store crops. A small amount of the harvest can be placed in vacuum plastic bags, then put in the refrigerator. But carrots cannot be stored this way for a long time.
It is best to enclose each carrot in a clay shell, then dry thoroughly. Then put the dried product into bags and transfer it to the coldest place in the apartment.
Clay will preserve the root culture from moisture evaporation and disease. In addition, oxygen and carbon dioxide will easily pass through the clay.
The root crop can be placed in paper boxes and each layer can be topped with garden horseradish. Horseradish will release essential oils that will prevent the development of fungal diseases. Close the boxes tightly, then place them in a cool place at home.
Paraffin
Carrots can also be stored in nets if you first dip them in paraffin.
- You need to add a little beeswax to the paraffin to get an elastic shell.
- Heat the paraffin, dip each carrot in it one by one, then dry it and put it in nets.
- With this method, the crop will be stored for 4-5 months in a city apartment.
Chalk
The chalky suspension will prevent the root culture from rotting. Mix chalk with water to make a paste. Dip the carrots into it and dry it with a sponge. A layer of chalk will prevent fresh root vegetables from rotting.
How to preserve fruits
To preserve vitamins and appearance, the fruit must be properly processed. Is it possible to store carrots if there is no special cellar? Can.
In this case, approach the variety more carefully; root crops that ripen as late as possible are suitable. Try to observe the temperature regime - ideally it should be at +1 or +2 0C.
Pay attention to humidity; carrots like it when the storage room has 90 or even 95% humidity.
General recommendations
Carrots initially have a lot of vitamins and beneficial properties, which are lost during long-term storage. However, this can be avoided if you pay attention to the choice of location and conditions for placement.
Before you figure out where to store carrots, pay attention to some tips:
- Be sure to dry the root vegetable before storing it for a long time - this can take from several hours to 3-4 days. It is better to lay it on a horizontal surface in direct sunlight, so the drying process will take only a day.
- The optimal temperature for storing carrots is 10-13 degrees Celsius. In such conditions it will not germinate and deteriorate.
- The higher the humidity in the place where you will store the carrots, the better. This will prevent it from withering and losing its taste and beneficial properties.
- Be sure to disinfect containers for storing root vegetables. This will help avoid its premature deterioration.
- Pay attention to the specific varieties of carrots you are storing. Most often, it is necessary to select different placement conditions for them, so you should not place them together for a long time.
- Handle the carrots carefully and do not damage them. There is no need to pour it out of one bag from a great height onto the floor, kick it, or throw it. Such damage will only shorten the shelf life of the root crop.
In any case, if you are storing carrots for a long time, you will need to check and sort them periodically, throwing out any that are starting to spoil.
It is also recommended to empty the container from under the sorted vegetables, wash it, disinfect it, and then put it back. This way you neutralize unwanted microflora that has formed over 1-3 months and extend the “life” of vegetables.
Valentin Vasilievich
Plumber
