by Catherine Haug, October 12, 2011
Johnny’s Select Seeds offered a helpful article in their latest newsletter. It is targeted to commercial and CSA growers, but the information is also useful for the home gardener. Check it out: Extend the Selling Season with Storage crops.
Here’s a sampling of veggies from the article; note that the temperature and humidity make all the difference between success and failure with veggie storage. (Links go to Johnny’s website).
Cold and humid:
- Beets of all varieties will keep for 3-5 months when stored at 32F and 90-100% humidity.
- Cabbage: Storage No. 4 will keep until spring from a late fall harvest if held at 32F and 90-100% humidity.
- Carrot: Bolero is the best variety for harvesting in late fall and will hold for up to six months at 32F and 90-100% humidity.
Cool and dry:
- Winter Squash: Queensland Blue and Waltham Butternut are the best keepers, but all winter squash can be stored for a month or longer. The ideal conditions are 50-55F and 50-70% humidity.
See also my earlier articles on winter storage of veggies:
- The EssentiaList: Winter Storage of Fruits & Vegetables (pdf) includes tips for storing fruits, vegetables and grains, and cold storage options for root veggies;
- Veggie Keeping-Time in Cold Storage (pdf), and Winer Storage Chart: Optimal Conditions (pdf), two 1-page charts for hanging in your root cellar: