Vegetables (root) (2235)

Carrots, onions and potatoes are easy to store, if you have the right storage conditions. Harvest carrots in late fall. Dig them when the soil is dry. Immediately prepare for storage by cutting off the tops to within one-half inch of the carrot crown. Rinse in water and let dry. Pack in plastic bags perforated with small holes. Store carrots in a cold, damp place between 32 degrees and 40 degrees F. An "extra" refrigerator in the house is an excellent place to store carrots, as well as beets, kohlrabi and winter radishes.

Unlike carrots, onions need a dry storage place. Onions must be mature and thoroughly dry to keep well in storage. Store onions in a dry, well-ventilated place, such as an attic or unheated room. Keep them in slatted crates stacked on cross bars or open-mesh bags, hung on hooks. Fill the containers half full. Do not store onions in the cellar.

Potatoes to be stored need special handling at harvest time. Dig carefully and remove them promptly from the garden to prevent sun and wind damage. If late blight is present, delay digging until potato vines are dead and dry.

Store only sound potatoes free of serious cuts and bruises. Late crop potatoes are better than early crop potatoes for long-term storage. Since outdoor temperatures usually are lower when you harvest late crop potatoes, cool storage conditions are easy to maintain.

After harvest, cure late potatoes by holding them in moist air for one to two weeks at 60 to 75 degrees F. Wounds do not heal at 50 degrees F or below. After curing, and as soon as outdoor temperatures permit, lower storage temperature to about 35 to 40 degrees F for winter.

Late potatoes keep well for several months in basement storage rooms and cellars. Potatoes keep best in moderately moist air. Store in the dark to prevent them from turning green.

Potatoes stored at about 35 degrees F for several months tend to become sweet. You can usually correct this condition by holding the potatoes at about 70 degrees F for one to two weeks before you use them.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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