Back in October I clamped some roots as an experiment in storing some of our produce. Pushing it to the limit I left it until last week to get the carrots out of the shed and see how they faired.
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| Roots starting to grow again |
It's been an exceptionally mild winter and I know that will have altered the results somewhat as the shed they've been stored in is less than ideal, It's uninsulated and the temperature does fluctuate quite a bit, but we still had edible roots from that little tub.
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| Some had lost their colour |
I sorted through them and we had enough for tea that night and possibly more if I wasn't being so fussy. Some carrots had completely lost their colour and others were fine. Most had started growing again, although I think this is more to do with the temperature in the shed and once the tops were cut off they were fine, I'm not sure if this alters their nutritional value much as well.
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| Enough for a meal |
The need for picking perfect veg for storage as amplified by this little experiment, as the slightest bit of root fly or a blemish means that the carrot didn't store and in turn it starts to deteriorate which can damage roots around it.
The downside to this whole thing was the fact that the weathers been so mild that they would have stored in the ground just fine with a covering of straw to keep out the light frosts. But you can't predict the weather, and if I ever get round to building a proper root store, knowing we've got a supply through the winter will be a keep part to future self sufficiency.
Did anyone else store roots over winter? If so how did they fair?
The problem that I have is with mice getting into potatoes and roots but our winter was real cold for a longer period so as it turned out I could have stored things easily if I could protect them. I need to build containers that allow air flow.
ReplyDeleteyeah I'd like to build a completely rotten free shed and store - maybe out of block. they little buggers have even got into my poison in the one shed and been stealing that so it can't be much good!
DeleteI have never tried clamping to store veg, I generaly can or dehydrate, I was reading about storing the roots of runner beans in sand and then in spring plant them out and they romp away again.
ReplyDeleteI've got to learn how to can in the "American" style as it looks a great way to preserve food, I make lots of jams and chutneys but it's not the same as having it canned!
DeleteNo root storing done here as yet. Last year I lifted the carrots, dehydrated some, and put the rest into jars, via my All American Pressure Canner. They stored well in both cases. I don't think we will ever leave them in the ground though because of the tendency of the ground to be water logged during Jan -March. But either way, it is a real pleasure to eat those carrots months after harvesting them. Makes one's halo all bright and shiny!
ReplyDeleteOne of those canners is on my list of things to get. Our site can be quite wet so stuff has the tendency to rot in the ground.
DeleteI've never tried this, we tend to use the freezer for storing our homegrown things. The carrots look really good though, so it shows it works even in a mild Winter.
ReplyDeleteOur freezer still isn't big enough to do that - we've got a chest freezer but nowhere to put it so it I build (another) shed then it might go in there.
Deletemy gran had a clamp. it was sack cloth lining and then sacks filled with sand and the vegetables. everything was very slightly damp. sacks on top and then a board on top.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if a clamp could be made like I said about the jerusalem artichokes. Brick lined for burrowing things...?
Sounds different to the ones I've read about but interesting. The trouble is they never took photos of things like that in those day. Brick or block linned would be the way to go I think - keep the little blighters out!
DeleteI've never clamped.,but have laid carrots and beetroot down in sand. As you say.they need to be perfect.I think you have done well to keep them until now (may) especially with the mild winter. I have also frozen carrots, but these are not good for coleslaws etc. It is always good to learn how to preserve without electricity - off grid - proper self-sufficiency !
ReplyDeleteYeah I left them a little long really but we had that big bag of carrots that kept well so we weren't desperate for them. Having food stored with no power is another step up the self sufficiency ladder but it takes some getting there. My mum says that no matter which way I preserve food not to bother salting beans as they were horrible!
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