HOW TO STORE CARROTS ON THE BALCONY IN THE WINTER: CAN IT BE DONE AT HOME AND AT WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD THE ROOT VEGETABLE BE KEPT IN THE APARTMENT IN THE AUTUMN

Storing carrots in an apartment is a difficult thing, since there is a high temperature and dry air. Because of this, the roots begin to germinate, wither and become covered with mold.

But this is not a reason to be upset, since in the absence of a basement, the harvest gathered in the fall can be on the balcony.

Features of the structure of root crops

Root crops are prone to scarring shallow mechanical dives. This ability is retained for some time after harvesting. And on the head, the damage is better cicatrized if the temperature is 20-25 degrees, and the humidity is 90-95%.

The formation of suberin accelerates with increasing temperature indicators. But then the roots start to sprout and the roots fade. If you store carrots at a temperature of 10-14 degrees and a humidity of 90-95%, then the scarring ends within 8-12 days.

Attention! Small and ugly root vegetables are stored much worse than medium and large ones.

In unripe root crops, kidney differentiation occurs quickly, nutrients are consumed early, and immunity to diseases is quickly lost.

Storage of vegetables on the balcony

Is it possible to store the root vegetable at home? When storing vegetables in the apartment most often use a balcony or a glazed loggia. Choosing this method of preserving the crop, you need to comply with the correct temperature regime, do not overheat and do not freeze the root crop.

Choose a place that does not reach the sun's rays, which adversely affect the quality of vegetables. Because of this, carrots change color, turn green and take on a bitter aftertaste.

If all preparatory measures and storage conditions have been observed, then carrots can lie on the balcony for about 9 months. But this is an average figure, since it also depends on the chosen method of storage.

What varieties are suitable?

When choosing a balcony storage for the winter harvest, you should pay attention to the following varieties:

Queen of autumn. This is the longest grade, developed by Russian breeders. The weight of one fruit is 200 g, and the length reaches 25-30 cm. 120 days pass from the first shoots to maturity. The grade perfectly is suitable for the fresh use and preservation. Fruit differ juiciness, pleasant taste. You can store until June. At this time, their trade dress and taste are not spoiled.
Flaccore. This is a variety of Dutch breeding. Commodity maturity occurs at 110-1130 days after seeding. Carrot color is bright orange. It is elongated, even with delicate flesh. The variety has a high yield, root length 30 cm.
Reference. Its main advantage over other species in excellent quality. Commercial quality is maintained until next summer.
Vita Long This is a relatively new variety that has a high yield. The growing season is 140 days. It is recommended for winter safety, as it is characterized by excellent logging. It can be used fresh. The root crop weighs 200-300 g, length 30 cm.
Karlen. High-yielding variety, the fruits of which ripen in 130 days after planting seeds. Since root crops are found in elevated concentrations of sugar, it is not recommended for people with diabetes to use it. Karlena is unpretentious in care, and if the desired microclimate is observed, the crop will stay until spring.
Samson. This variety is one of the most unpretentious. Vegetation duration is 110-115 days. Differs in the improved taste. The length of the carrot is 20 cm, and the weight is 160-200 g. The core is absent, but there is a high concentration of carotene, vitamins and trace elements in the pulp. A variety can grow in areas with any degree of fertility. You can store it until the next harvest.
Vitamin This variety was specially obtained for long-term storage. Ripens 110 days after planting. The length of the fruit is 17 cm. With quality care and regular watering, the carrot is distinguished by its high juiciness and excellent taste.

In more detail about what grades of carrots are suitable for long storage for the winter, we told here.

Preparatory activities

The harvest will be well kept only if it was prepared in advance. Preparatory activities consist of several stages:

Harvesting. Harvest time of carrots is directly related to its variety. For winter storage, it is better to choose medium and late varieties. Harvesting takes place at the end of August or the beginning of September. It is at this time that the end of the active weight gain of the root crop occurs. Carrots from the ground do not pull out, but gently pull it over the tops. If the soil is too dry, then slightly dig up the vegetable with a shovel.
After removing the root crops from the ground, lay them in the sun for 2-3 hours. During this time they will be able to air and dry.
Cut the carrot tops. For these purposes, suitable sharp knife or large scissors.
Attention! Cut the tops completely, to the point of growth. If this condition is not met, the root crop will germinate prematurely and lose its taste.
Clean every carrot from sticky dirt. Dry the crop in a shady and well-ventilated place. Do not sprinkle root vegetables directly on the ground, for this, perforate the film or tarpaulin.
After drying, root vegetables sort: small to separate from large.
Wash vegetables before storage on the balcony is not worth it, just separate the dry ground (more about this, we told here). You can wash it only if you plan to store carrots in the refrigerator.

If the gardener is not able to determine the date of harvest, then he should pay attention to the tops. If the lower leaves become yellow and dry, then it is time to pick carrots.

Read more about how to prepare carrots for winter storage, read here.

Temperature conditions

At what temperature is it better to store a vegetable? To root crops do not germinate, the temperature should be 1-2 degrees stable. Below it is impossible, as the frozen carrots quickly deteriorate and lose all the vitamins and taste.

The necessary conditions

For storage of carrots in the winter in the apartment will fit only covered and unheated balcony. During severe frosts, there may be a low temperature, so the vegetables will have to be further warmed. There are several ways to store carrots, each of which is characterized by certain features.

Wet sand box

Thanks to the sand, you can keep the necessary humidity and temperature. In addition, it isolates each root. The procedure is as follows:

Large box filled with sand.
Lay out the roots in rows, respecting the interval of 2-3 cm between them.
The total height of the layers does not exceed 1 m.

On a note. Add 1-2% of slaked lime or wood ash to the sand. Thanks to them, the formation of pathogenic microflora is prevented.

With peat

Peat is characterized by bactericidal properties and poor heat conductivity. Due to this quality, peat is an excellent material for storing vegetables.

By placing the carrot harvest in boxes of peat, it is possible to keep it until late spring. It is recommended to use peat with a low degree of decomposition (less than 15%). In the spring it can be used as a fertilizer for indoor flowers.

With sawdust

For storage of carrots suitable sawdust coniferous trees. They contain essential oils and resins with bactericidal properties. Procedure:

Prepare a large box, lay a layer of sawdust (thickness 2 cm).
On top of the carrot lay in a row and again a layer of sawdust.
Similarly, lay out all the roots until the box is filled.
You can use onion peel together with sawdust. It perfectly protects the crop from rot.

In this article we talked in detail about where and how you can store carrots in the winter in an apartment, and here you can find proven ways to store carrots in the ground.

Possible problems and their solution

When withering the roots lose their immunity to disease. The lower part of the root crop begins to wilt quickly. To prevent this problem it is necessary to cover the crop from the wind and the sun before or immediately after harvesting. When transporting is delayed, do not clear the roots of small earthy clumps.

Important! Carrots can not stand even a slight freezing. After thawing, the affected tissues lose their juiciness, become covered with mucus and become the center of accumulation of microorganisms.

So, freeze the carrots before harvesting and prevent the temperature from dropping below 0 degrees during storage. If you know that you will not be able to remove the carrot before the arrival of cold weather, read this article, in it we talked about how you can keep the carrot in the garden until spring.

Additional tips and warnings

Regardless of how the crop is stored on the balcony, It is important to follow general guidelines:

Each root must be laid isolated from each other. The smaller the carrot will come into contact with each other, the less likely the spread of rot.
Boxes with a crop, regardless of the filler, should be tightly closed with roofs. From above it is possible to lay an old warm blanket. This will create additional protection against severe frosts.
For the high quality of carrot pre-rinse it in chalky solution and dry thoroughly on paper. After that, the vegetable is ready for further storage.

Carrots can be stored not only in the cellar, but also on the balcony. Moreover, this method is not inferior to the first, they sat down to properly prepare the roots and observe all the conditions of its maintenance. Choosing the appropriate method, you need to consider the variety of carrots and the climatic conditions of your region.