One of the most common vegetables grown in almost all gardens is carrots. This root crop, in addition to its taste, has a large list of useful vitamin and mineral substances, and also helps with various diseases.
However, it is better to use it fresh, but how to keep the carrots fresh before, for example, winter or just for a long period? This question is asked not only beginner growers, but also gardeners with experience. How to do this most effectively will tell in our article. You can also watch an interesting and useful video on the topic.
What is this plant?
Carrot is a biennial herb of the celery family.whose height reaches 30 centimeters. Leaves are long-petaled and pinnate. The first year gives a vegetable root, and the second year begins to bloom, forming a complex umbrella inflorescence.
The main substance for which it is valued is beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A, which improves lung function. Getting into the human body, carotene is transformed into vitamin A. Thanks to it, eyesight is normalized, the skin and mucous membranes are maintained in good condition.
It is useful to gnaw fresh carrots, as this strengthens the gums. She also promotes growth, so it is important to include it in the diet of children. Eating carrots is useful for various diseases:
- skin diseases;
- anemia;
- bronchitis;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- diseases of the visual apparatus;
- hypo-and avitaminosis.
It has anthelmintic, choleretic, analgesic, expectorant, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, demineralizing, anti-sclerotic and other effects on the human body.
We offer to watch a video about the benefits of carrots for the human body:
Suitability of vegetable for long storage
Is it possible and how to save carrots for the winter? There is an opinion that this is a vegetable that is very difficult to keep for a long time, and a significant part of the people who grow it, it seems that it is not suitable for long-term preservation. However, this is not the case. store carrots long can and should. There are many different ways to do this, although there are many nuances concerning both the storage conditions and the vegetable itself, but by observing them all, it is possible to keep the root crop for a long time without problems.
Further we will tell about one of such methods.
What is the essence of storage?
Storing vegetables in sawdust is a fairly common and reliable method that has been used for many decades. They contain phenolic substances that ensure the safety of vegetables.
Unlike other known methods, this one provides the longest shelf life of carrots. Also, the process of "conservation" of the crop is not expensive and is not time consuming. If it is not possible to purchase sawdust, you can always prepare it yourself.. All this makes this method of preservation of root crops one of the best.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of storing root crops in sawdust include:
beneficial effect on the preservation of vegetables;- poor throughput of moisture (which protects carrots from infections and diseases);
- sawdust does not stick to the vegetable (as opposed to sand) and is easy to clean from them after the storage period.
beneficial effect on the preservation of vegetables;But there is a storage method and disadvantages:
- laboriousness, since when filling it is necessary to pour each layer separately;
- dust from the sawdust itself, which can cause an allergic reaction.
How to save for the winter?
Consider in stages how to save carrots in sawdust.
What wood particles are needed?
Coniferous sawdust is excellent for this type of storage., as they have beneficial properties that prevent the germination of carrots, as well as the occurrence of fungi and diseases. They should not be wet, the permissible moisture level of sawdust for storing vegetables in them is 10-12%
Preparation and laying of vegetables for storage
Before you begin the process of "packaging" of root vegetables in sawdust for long-term storage, you need to prepare the carrots.
After extracting the root from the soil, it must be cleaned from the ground, and cut the topsThis is done because it takes a lot of nutrients because of what vegetables quickly fade. The tops are cut just above the top of the root, and then the head is cut off (about 1 cm thick), so the carrots will no longer germinate and remain juicy for a longer time. Also, the tails of the roots are pruned and then the vegetables are sent to dry in the sun for 3 days.
The main steps required for storage in sawdust:
- First you need to choose a container suitable for storage, a box that can hold up to 20 kilograms of carrots is perfect. It will be even better if such a box is equipped with a lid and can be closed.
- Now we begin to lay layers of sawdust and root vegetables. First, pour a layer of sawdust 1-2 centimeters high, put carrots on it so that the vegetables do not touch each other, then again we put the laid vegetables with a new layer of sawdust, so that the first level of vegetables is hidden, and put the roots back on top. Thus, layer by layer we place the harvest prepared for storage in the entire capacity of the box.
Important: Thanks to placing vegetables in sawdust, the crop is stored for a long time, up to one year, which makes this method of storage incomparably better, in the time aspect, compared to others.
We offer to watch a video about the storage of carrots in coniferous sawdust:
Possible problems
If you do everything correctly, then problems with the storage of carrots should arise. However, there may be situations in which this method does not work:
When storing root crops in sawdust, it is important to select high-quality material. It is recommended to use sawdust of coniferous trees, as their beneficial effect, thanks to phytoncides, will preserve the crop in proper form.- The use of wet, not dried sawdust will lead to the appearance of fungus on carrots. Sawdust should not be affected by the disease, it is important to select healthy trees when harvesting sawdust.
- If the basement temperature drops to - 2 degrees Celsius, then the roots will need to be warmed, covered with felt, so as not to freeze.
- If the roots were not properly prepared for storage for the winter in a warmed basement, they can germinate, the reason for this is excessive air circulation. It is sometimes difficult to determine the presence of air exchange, but if germination of root crops was noticed, then it is not worth guessing. It is necessary to reduce the air duct, to cut off the sprouted tops, and to cover the vegetables with chalk.
When storing root crops in sawdust, it is important to select high-quality material. It is recommended to use sawdust of coniferous trees, as their beneficial effect, thanks to phytoncides, will preserve the crop in proper form.Conclusion
Having considered this method of preserving carrots, it is important to note that it provides the highest shelf life of root crops. The method itself is not particularly complicated and time consuming, but for material costs it requires only sawdust, which can be made independently. Storage in sawdust is a reliable, proven and high-quality option that will help all novice gardeners to preserve their crops.
