Cold / Cool Storage
Root cellars are structures used to store produce . Many home root cellars are built in a corner of a basement or in a finished crawl space . For produce that will be stored long term in its original state ( not processed ), either cold ( just above freezing ) or cool ( 4-12.5 ° C ) conditions work best . Not all fruits and vegetables do well in cool or cold storage . Generally , produce with a tough or hard skin will store longer . Another major factor for both cold and cool storage is humidity . Some produce stores better in moist conditions , while others store best in dry conditions . Long-term storage for produce can be divided into four categories : cold / moist , cold / dry , cool / moist , and cool / dry . Moist conditions storage ( cold or cool ) has a humidity level around 90 percent . Dry conditions storage ( cold or cool ) has a humidity level of 65 percent or lower .
Cold / Moist Cold / moist storage has a temperature that is just above freezing and the humidity is 90 percent . Many vegetables and fruits stored in cold / moist conditions will last for two to six months . Fruits and vegetables compatible with cold / moist storage include apples , beets , cabbage , carrots , Brussel sprouts , leeks , parsnips , pears , radishes , rutabaga , and turnips .
Cold / Dry Cold / dry storage has a temperature that is just above freezing and the humidity level is around 65 percent . Vegetables stored in cold / dry conditions can last up to six months , while some grains in cold / dry storage can last for years . Crops that store well in cold / dry conditions include garlic , leeks , onions , and whole grains .
Cool / Moist Cool / moist storage has a temperature range of 4-12.5 ° C and the humidity level is around 90 percent . Produce stored in cool / moist conditions can last for two to seven months . The fruits and vegetables that do best in cool / moist storage include potatoes , green tomatoes , and some citrus varieties .
Cool / Dry Cool / dry storage has a temperature range of 4-12.5 ° C and the humidity level is around 65 percent . Produce stored in cool / dry conditions can be kept for three to seven months . Cool / dry storage is great for storing frost-sensitive crops , such as citrus , pumpkins , winter squash , and sweet potatoes .
Tips for Root Cellar Storage
It may be difficult to reach precise environmental conditions in a homemade fruit cellar . The goal should be to get as close as possible to the optimal conditions to extend the storage life of the produce . To maximise your chance of successfully storing produce in a root cellar , start by selecting late-maturing , unblemished , healthy produce . Selecting the best produce goes a long way in preservation . Bruised and / or damaged produce can spoil quickly and ruin adjacent produce . Resist the urge to wash your produce before storage . Wiping it with a dry cloth is all that needs to be done . If the produce is muddy or was harvested while still wet from dew or rain , be sure the surface of the produce is allowed to dry thoroughly before placing it in storage . Aside from wiping the produce , some vegetables will store longer if cured . Onions and squash can be sun-cured by simply placing them out in the sun for a few days . Potatoes , on the other hand , should not be sun-cured , but , instead , cured in a dark area with high humidity and good ventilation . A digital thermometer and / or hygrometer are helpful tools for monitoring the atmospheric conditions of a root cellar for both curing and storage .
“ FINDING THE RIGHT PRODUCE AND THE PROPER STORAGE TECHNIQUE ARE CRUCIAL FOR INCREASING THE
LONGEVITY OF YOUR HARVEST .”
Maximum Yield 37