How to Store Root Vegetables

Summary

• Storing root vegetables correctly prolongs their shelf-life, allowing you to enjoy them throughout winter in various dishes.
• Root vegetables can be stored in the ground or indoors, depending on the specific vegetable and its ideal storing conditions.
• Factors such as temperature, humidity, and handling should be considered to ensure the vegetables remain fresh and undamaged during storage.

The hours of back-breaking, sweaty work in your vegetable garden are all worth it after you reap the reward in the form of a bountiful harvest. Most likely, you want to enjoy the harvest for as long as possible. The best way to do it is to store your produce correctly.

Most root vegetables, in particular, store incredibly well, so you can consume them throughout winter in hearty soups, as roasted sides, or grilled and tossed in a salad. So, learn the best way to store root vegetables to prolong their shelf-life.

What Will You Need?

Storing root vegetables requires a few essentials

• Peat, sand, or sphagnum moss
• Plastic bags
• Slated crates or mesh bags
• Covered containers

How to Store Root Vegetables in the Ground

The most convenient way

Store taproot root vegetables, like carrots, radishes, turnips, parsnips, and beetroots, over winter is in the ground. Instead of harvesting the root vegetables, allow them to remain in the ground and harvest as needed.

However, for the root crops to store successfully in the ground, the soil should be well-draining and not wet, as wet soil can lead to rotting. Moreover, mulch the ground with a 6 to 8-inch thick layer of straw, hay, or leaves to prevent the soil temperature from fluctuating, as it can damage the crop.

Apply mulch before the ground freezes to prevent the root vegetables from freezing, and dig out the vegetables when you need them. Mulching also makes it easier to lift the vegetables as the ground is not frozen solid.

Root vegetables become sweeter when left in the ground. When the temperatures drop below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, the starch in the vegetables starts converting into sugar.

How to Store Root Vegetables Indoors

Clean them up and pack them away

You can store root vegetables indoors in basements, cellars, garages, or sheds. The ideal storing conditions vary for different root vegetables.

Storing Taproot Root Vegetables

Before storage, wash the root vegetables with cold running water to wash off the dirt. Dry them completely or leave them outside under the sun until completely dry. If you store them wet, they can rot. Once dry, cut about half an inch of the top from the crown. Otherwise, the leafy top will draw moisture from the veggies, drying them out over time.

These root crops can wither if not stored in a moist environment.

How to Store Them

• In layers of moist peat, sand, or sphagnum moss
• In perforated plastic bags -- allows air movement and prevents condensation that can cause rotting.

For optimal preservation, it's essential to store beets, carrots, parsnips, and turnips in an environment where the temperature falls between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and the relative humidity is maintained at 90 to 95 percent.

Beets can last up to five months, carrots up to eight months, and parsnips and turnips up to four months.

You can also keep the root vegetables in the colder part of the fridge, as it typically has the ideal temperature range, between 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, suitable for storing the veggies. Keep the vegetables in plastic bags to maintain the relative humidity. They last from a few days to a few weeks in the fridge.

Storing Onions

Some root vegetables, like onions and potatoes, require curing before storage. Curing helps thicken the skin, reduce moisture loss, and protect against microbes and insects. Ultimately, it allows your crops to store better and longer.

To store onions:

• Wait for the tops to dry completely
• Cut them -- leaving one inch from the bulbs
• Cure them at room temperature for about two to four weeks
• Store them in slatted crates or mesh bags in a dry, cool location

The ideal storing temperature ranged from 32 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit at 65 percent relative humidity. They should store well for five to eight months.

Storing Potatoes

Potatoes appreciate curing at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit for about two weeks before storage. Store them in cold, moist storage at temperatures between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of 90 to 95 percent. Potatoes store well for up to six months.

Keep them away from any light, as it can cause them to turn green. It is best to store them in covered boxes, containers, or bins with a few holes to allow for ventilation.

Storing Garlic

After harvesting garlic, cure it in a well-ventilated area, away from sunlight, at a temperature lower than 90 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 14 days. Place them on a wire rack or hang them to allow for adequate air circulation.

Store them at temperatures between 30 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit and relative humidity of 60 to 70 percent. Keep in storage containers with holes for ventilation. They should last for six to seven months in storage.

Factors to Consider When Storing Root Vegetables

Directly impacts the shelf-life of your veggies

While you store your root vegetables, there are a few factors to consider:

• Only store fresh vegetables that are not cut, bruised, damaged, or infected with diseases or pests. Handle the crops gently to avoid wounds, as they can rot quickly and affect the nearby vegetables as well.
• Monitor the temperature and relative humidity and regulate them to provide the crops with optimum storage conditions. While you can maintain the humidity by storing them correctly (discussed above), monitor the temperature by placing a thermometer in the storage area.
• Vegetables give off heat when in storage, so make sure your storage area has ventilation windows. Open the windows when it is too warm inside compared to outside, and close them when outdoor temperatures exceed indoor temperature.

Rooting for the Root Vegetables

Storing root vegetables correctly allows you to enjoy them for a long time. It is important to understand that there are numerous types of root vegetables and they all require a unique storing environment. Moreover, only store fresh, undamaged crops and ensure that the temperature and humidity remain constant throughout the storing period. Spread the root-loving goodness!