![]() If you have a standard shed you could try creating a root vegetable store by securing insulation boards together to prevent temperatures from either dropping or soaring too far. And if there is a risk of temperatures dropping below freezing, consider adding some extra insulation around your stored roots, for instance straw or scrunched up newspaper. It may help to raise boxes or sacks off the ground to keep them out of reach of rodents, or try storing them in metal bins. It needs to be cool but frost-free, so a basement, outbuilding, or some other vermin-free space is ideal. Cover layers of roots, making sure they're not touchingīear in mind that larger roots will store much better than thin or small roots, which can quickly dry out and turn rubbery (smaller roots can always be sliced up then frozen, dehydrated, or canned). You could also use hay, straw, sawdust, or a mix of any of the above. Continue in layers like this until you get to the top, finishing with a final layer of sand or potting mix. Lay out your roots in a single layer so they’re not touching, then add another layer of your damp packing material. ![]() It needs to keep the roots ever so slightly moist and separated from each other. ![]() Start with a layer of damp – but not wet – sand or old potting mix in the bottom of your container. You can store roots in any container that allows for a bit of ventilation, for instance sturdy cardboard boxes or wooden crates. The roots don’t need washing – just store them as they are. Begin by twisting off the foliage, then brush off any lumps of soil. Only intact roots of a good size should be stored. How to Store Root VegetablesĬheck over roots before storing and set aside any that are damaged or in any way imperfect to use up as soon as possible. And, of course, if your soil freezes solid for weeks at a time, pickaxing them out of the soil isn’t much fun either! So you’ll need to lift them. In heavier, wet soils, there’s a chance of them rotting. Root crops like these beetroots can be stored in just-damp sand or potting mixįirst, the longer you leave roots in the ground, the greater the risk of them becoming riddled with holes from the likes of slugs, wireworm or rodents. ![]() But there are plenty of reasons why you might want to lift and store your root vegetables. Beetroot will often happily sit through mild winters without fuss. Parsnips are the same, and actually improve in taste with a few frosts. If your soil is free-draining and your winters aren’t too cold, some root crops like carrots can simply be left in the ground and lifted as and when they’re needed. Do You Need to Lift and Store Root Vegetables? ![]()
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