Is it possible to store beets in plastic bags. How to store beets in the cellar in winter. Shared storage features

Almost everyone uses beets in their diet. This vegetable is valued for its attractive qualities, as well as beneficial properties for the human body. Therefore, they strive to grow it in their summer cottage or garden. When harvesting in autumn, people tried to keep it as long as possible in order to enjoy this vegetable in winter.

For many years, people have developed a way to store vegetables. This article will provide the main ways to store beets in a cellar or city apartment, starting from selection the right kind and ending with the laying of the harvest.

Storing beets for the winter at home

After the roots are dug out of the garden, in winter period they fall into a period of rest, and its duration depends on the conditions created for this. If they are optimal, the beets can keep well for a long period (Figure 1).

At different varieties storage time is different. At early varieties quite a short period of winter dormancy. At a temperature of + 7 + 8 degrees indoors, the culture will germinate. This causes difficulties in saving the vegetable after harvest.

Note: Early varieties ripen in mid and late July, during this period it is difficult to create job conditions for storage.

If you create at least the minimum necessary microclimate for the root crop, then it can lie for about three to four months. If you do not create conditions, then the root crops are recommended to be used within 2-3 months after harvest, otherwise they will wither.

Figure 1. Root crops suitable for storage

Medium and late varieties well kept. They can remain fresh until February-March, and if stored in the cellar, they can lie until the next harvest. Beets tend to germinate when the temperature rises, while the middle species germinate much earlier than the later ones.

Variety selection

The peculiarity of the variety influences the adaptability to long-term savings. A very popular variety of "Cylinder" among domestic gardeners. It is so widespread that it is grown in almost all summer cottages and when creating the most comfortable conditions it is adapted for long-term storage (Figure 2).

Varieties that are less whimsical and able to be stored for long term are discussed below:

Mid-season variety "Bordeaux 237" has a rounded slightly flattened shape of the fruit. The pulp is dark red in color, has a sweetish taste. With proper preparation, the shelf life of the crop is very high.
Variety "Late Winter A-474" ripens much later than most varieties, its fruits resemble Bordeaux 237 in shape, although the flesh of the fruit will not be as dark and less sweet in color, although it has pleasant aroma. If you provide the required conditions for the fruit, it can successfully lie in the basement all winter without withering or germinating.
Mid-season variety "Egyptian flat" has fruits of a flat shape and the pulp is a kind of pinkish-red with a slight purple tint.
A mid-season variety with round fruits is Libero. This variety has juicy pulp, which stands out for its red color, while it has a sweetish taste and pleasant aroma.

Figure 2. The best varieties cultures: 1 - Bordeaux-237, 2 - Late-ripening A-474, 3 - Egyptian flat, 4 - Libero

Preparing beets for winter storage

Harvest time is playing important role in preparation for laying it in the basement. Each variety has its own ripening period for the root crop. For example, early varieties may be ready for harvest in as little as 50-80 days. The collection of such a crop begins in mid-summer.

In mid-season varieties, harvesting is carried out after 80-100 days from the moment the first shoots appear. If the sowing of this variety was late spring or at the beginning of summer, then the harvest can be carried out in the first days of autumn.

Late varieties ripen the longest: ripening occurs approximately 100-130 days after planting and harvesting is then carried out by the end of September. If you are going to save the crop for the winter, it is good to take into account these terms inherent in each variety. By the end of summer, root crops begin to gain weight and nutrients: this is facilitated by a decrease in temperature, since a decrease in active heat is observed.

Note: You need to be careful not to overexpose the root crop in the ground, as the first frost can ruin the fruit. Beets that are frozen will not differ in keeping quality, since the affected places will certainly begin to rot. well tolerated winter storage and only healthy, timely harvested root crops can maintain their taste.

How to store this root vegetable? The main thing is to dry the vegetable well after it has been removed from the ground. It will be enough to dry the root crop directly on the ground near the beds for 2-3 hours in warm sunny weather. AT rainy weather root crops are transferred to a dry, well-ventilated room, where they are laid out in one layer and kept there for about 3 to 7 days (Figure 3).

When storing a root crop, we must take into account the fact that each variety is stored in its own way. One variety can lie down, retaining its qualities for months, and for another variety, even the creation of optimal conditions will not help preserve juiciness and color. For long-term savings, it is recommended to use varieties such as: Bordeaux 237, Mulatto, Detroit, Late Winter, Lettuce. Such varieties are distinguished by a dense skin and good immunity to bacteria that cause putrefactive processes.

Figure 3. Harvest and preparation

The extraction of root crops from the ground is carried out very carefully so as not to damage it; for this, a shovel or fork is used. It is also important to do this delicately when peeling the root crop from the ground so as not to damage the fruit and to ensure that the root crops do not hit each other. If the root crop is nevertheless damaged during cleaning from the ground, then it should be used as soon as possible for its intended purpose. How to cut vegetable tops for storage? Proper pruning haulm is carried out sharp knife and about 1 cm of tops is left, but the tops never get out, and even more so do not come off. When the tops are twisted, the vegetable is always damaged, even minimally, this affects its safety. It is recommended to shorten the main root and remove the lateral processes, it is allowed to leave short roots.

And finally one of important issues Do I need to wash beets before storage? This is absolutely not recommended. Peculiar thin layer soil left on the vegetable after harvesting serves as a protective shield for it and contributes to its long-term conservation. You just need to put on garden gloves and manually clean the root crop from the ground. The result of preparing for the storage of the root crop for the winter confirms that damaged, too large and with traces of rot root crops are unsuitable for storage for the winter. Suitable for storage are undamaged, medium-sized vegetables. Preparation of grown fruits for storage begins from the moment of harvest.

In order for beets to be stored for a long time and at the same time not deteriorate, the following rules must be observed:

A dry autumn day is chosen for harvesting: the harvesting process for the people involved in this process, as well as for the preservation of the fetus, will be positive.
It is categorically not recommended to pull out the root crop for the tops; for this, the fruit is dug up with a shovel and slightly rises along with the soil.
Since a slight cold snap can negatively affect the root crop and its storage, the crop must be harvested before the first frost.

After all the beets have been dug up, you will need to first prepare them for laying as follows:

dry warm weather all root crops are left in the garden for about 2-4 hours so that they dry slightly.
If precipitation is present and the soil is too wet, the roots are transferred to a well-ventilated area for drying, where the vegetables are laid out on the floor in one layer. Indoor drying can last from 2 to 7 days. During this period, it is important to monitor the harvest so that the culture does not wither.
Adhering soil is removed from each root crop, this is done very carefully so as not to damage the skin of the root crop. For this, it is not recommended to use sharp tools or beat the beets against each other.
When cutting the tops, be sure to leave a small stump no more than a centimeter long. This is done with a sharp and clean knife, trying to prevent lacerations and sore wounds.
The lateral processes are very carefully removed. In this case, you need to be very careful not to damage the structure of the skin.
The main root is not removed. It is simply shortened to 5-7cm.

After all the procedures done, we carry out sorting. Fruits that are rotten, dry, or damaged should be discarded, as they can spoil the rest of the crop when stored. Good still sort very large fruits, which tend to be poorly preserved.

Rules for storing beets at home

Whatever way you choose to store beets, it entirely depends on your capabilities and preferences. If there is a cellar or a vegetable store, this is great, but even in ordinary apartment you can store the vegetable all winter. Best Option cellar is considered for storage.

The main requirements for storing beets are:

The humidity level is not more than 90%;
Lack of light;
Good cellar ventilation;
Air temperature from 0d to +2⁰С. The indicator should not be higher or lower. Also, an increase in temperature, which will lead to germination, should be excluded.
Store beets at least 10-15 cm above the floor. You can take any container for laying vegetables. Usually vegetables are put in wooden or plastic containers, or bags that are laid out on shelves and covered with sawdust, sand.

For loose storage use wooden grate which is placed on the floor. This technique is used for good air circulation, which has a positive effect on the safety given harvest. It is good to divide the crop into large and small nodules that need to be stored separately from each other.

In the basement

You can store beets different ways, whether it is laying in plastic bags, boxes, laying next to potatoes and carrots, in leaves, sand and ash, in a refrigerator or in an embankment. Grown in industrial scale fodder root crops are stored in heaps (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Placement of root crops in the basement

The cellar is considered best place beetroot storage. There, vegetables can be stored until the next harvest. The fruits are placed in bulk on dry sand in a layer of no more than 5 cm. concrete field the harvest is poured on pallets 10-15 cm high, for good air ventilation. If you decide to store potatoes and beets together, then the root crops are distributed on top of the potatoes.

Note: Potatoes require only 75-80% moisture for keeping quality. A significant amount of moisture is released during the respiration of tubers, and beets easily absorb it. Such conditions are considered ideal for these crops.

The folded crop in boxes is placed on the shelves and the floor, while not closing them. You can also save the vegetable in the sand and sawdust. We fill the bottom of the box with sand, since sand well retains the evaporation of moisture from the surface of root crops and prevents moisture from entering. Storage is also practiced in basements multi-storey buildings provided the temperature is not too high. The fruits are stored there in boxes, sprinkled with sand. In such premises, vegetables are not stored in bags due to poor ventilation.

In the fridge

The cellar or basement is considered an ideal storage room in winter. In such rooms it is good to maintain the temperature and humidity levels in the room. But what about the residents of city apartments who have neither a basement nor a cellar? And at home, it is possible to keep beets until spring in the usual household refrigerator or on a glazed balcony (Figure 5).

Note: Beets are best preserved when high humidity up to 90% and air temperature +2⁰С. It is not recommended to store it high temperature, as it will quickly germinate and wither.

You can put the vegetable in a bag and, without tying it, put it where it is coolest: for example, by the balcony or next to the outer door.
It is allowed to store on a glazed balcony in boxes, where they will be generously sprinkled with sand or sawdust and the fruits will not touch each other.
In order for the beets on the balcony not to suffer from frost, they cover them with blankets.
If you store potatoes on the balcony, then you can store beets in the same box with it, scattering it on top of the potatoes and creating favorable conditions for both roots.

Figure 5. Ways to freeze beets

At room temperature beetroot can be stored for quite a long time, up to a week, due to its thick skin, which slowly loses moisture. It is recommended to store beets away from heating appliances in the apartment.

It is practiced to store beets in the refrigerator. To do this, it is wrapped in cling film or bag with holes and placed in the refrigerator. In this case, the vegetables will remain fresh for a month, but care must be taken to ensure that condensation does not collect inside the bag.

How to store beets in the winter in the cellar

Each variety of vegetables has its own storage conditions (Figure 6). Beets are easier to store than vegetables like carrots and potatoes.

Let's consider in more detail how to properly store beets with potatoes. In a potato box on top of the tubers, we scatter the beets in an even layer. Such storage conditions are favorable for these vegetables, since potatoes like dryness, and beets require more moisture, so it will take on all the moisture that will be superfluous for potatoes, thereby preventing vegetables from rotting.

Figure 6. Methods for placing vegetables in the cellar

You can also store beets in boxes. In small wooden or plastic boxes the root crop is poured with holes, and the containers themselves are placed on the racks and shelves of the cellar. It is allowed to store burgundy root crops directly on the racks. But for this they must first be collected in a pyramid for good air circulation. It should be borne in mind that when you collect root crops in pyramids, they should not touch the walls of the cellar and the upper shelves.

Note: Ash and sand can be used for storage. Folded beets in boxes are sprinkled with ash and sand. Some gardeners bury the beets completely in the sand for storage, but before such a procedure, the sand must be disinfected by calcination.

The salt storage method is also used. This method is similar to sand and ash, only table salt is used here. To do this, vegetables are abundantly salted in a box or dipped in a strong saline solution and dried. Next, the root crops are simply placed in storage.

The method of placement mixed with leaves is considered very unusual. For this method, use the leaves of mountain ash, wormwood or fern. Such plants do not allow the pathogenic microflora to spread, as they tend to secrete volatile matter phytoncide. You can also keep the freshness of root crops with clay. It is diluted in water so that the mixture has the consistency of sour cream. It is allowed to add chalk to the clay. Each root crop is dipped in the solution and dried. The procedure must be repeated and after the second dipping in clay and drying, the beets are removed for storage.

For owners large cellars perfect placement of beets in large plastic bags. They are placed on stands or bricks, but in no case on the floor. One bag should contain no more than 40 kg of root crops.

In more detail, the features of harvesting beets and storing them in winter are discussed in the video.

Foreword

How to store beets in order to use root crops grown on your own plot for food in winter is not only an economic issue, but also a healthy nutritious diet. Indeed, in addition to the fact that purchased vegetables in the period until the next harvest are more expensive, their quality can be very low (for example, they can be sick, spoiled, contain nitrates), and it is also possible to purchase fodder beets instead of table beets.

Which table beets are suitable for long-term storage?

Of course, as for other vegetables, it is not necessary to lay the entire harvest of table beet for long-term storage, but selectively. The fulfillment of this condition is very important, but not the most important. The fact is that not all varieties of this vegetable can be stored for a long time. If you choose seeds of the wrong type for planting, then all the efforts spent on growing, collecting and storing root crops in the hope that in winter there will be dishes from your beets on the table may be in vain. And even if the vegetables of the resulting crop are unusually healthy and beautiful, if they are varieties with poor keeping quality, then very soon they will either have to be thrown away or hastily processed and preserved.

For long-term storage the following varieties of table beets are intended: Renova, Saladnaya, Cold-resistant 19, Mulatka, Red ball, Boltardi, Podzimnyaya A-474, Flat Gribovskaya A-474, Libero, Detroit, Bravo, Egyptian flat, Incomparable A-463, Nosovskaya flat, Pablo F1 , Single-growth, Bordeaux-237.

In terms of keeping quality, these varieties are the best. But first of all, you should pay attention to the table beets of local selection. Its varieties will most often be the best option not only for growing good harvest, but also for its successful and long-term storage.

But, for example, the Cylinder variety, which is very popular and grown in almost every country house, is not suitable for winter storage. Its root crops have excellent taste, but the keeping quality is much worse than that of the above varieties.

Rules for preparing table beets for storage

Regardless of the variety, preparation for storage begins with proper cleaning table beet harvest. It must be harvested before the first frost. Beet root crops grow at the very surface of the soil, and their upper part protrudes from the ground at all, so that even in the event of a slight frost, they can freeze slightly and become unsuitable for storage.

For harvesting, it is best to choose a dry and fine, preferably sunny autumn day. And it is more pleasant to work, and this will contribute to the long-term storage of table beets. Harvesting is also not necessary anyhow. It is strictly forbidden to pull out root crops by pulling on the tops. The skin of the table beet is likely to be damaged by the ground and the pebbles in it: torn off, scratched or cut. Such root crops will begin to rot soon after laying in storage and will not lie for a long time. Moreover, because of them, undamaged healthy beets can begin to deteriorate.

It is necessary to collect root crops with a shovel or pitchfork:

We immerse the bayonet of the tool in the ground next to the beets.
By pressing on the handle of the shovel, we slightly raise the root crop along with the soil.
Gently pull the vegetable out of the broken ground by the tops or take it out with your hands.

Immediately it is necessary to clean the root crops from the ground. Soil clods on the surface of the beets will absorb moisture during storage and become favorable environment for putrefactive bacteria contained in them. But it is also not worth striving at any cost to remove all the land. It is more important, however, not to damage the vegetables when cleaning. Therefore, it is completely unacceptable to use wood chips, a knife and other objects, to press strongly on tightly adhered lumps of soil with your hand and beat the beets one against the other. Root crops should be slightly shaken separately by the tops, and the remaining earth should be tried to be removed with light pressure. thumb brushes. If it doesn't work out, it's best to leave it as is. From this harm will be less than from the damaged skin of the root crop.

When harvesting takes place in dry weather, then most likely it will not be necessary to clear the ground. If the soil is oily and wet, then it will be easy to remove it using the above methods. Problems, as a rule, arise for those who clean vegetables later - after transportation and drying, before storing them.

Then the tops of the beets must be cut off. And not completely, right up to the root crop, but leaving a small tail 1–1.5 cm long. It is not recommended to twist or break off the tops by hand - you just need to cut it off.

Then we cut off the side roots. We must try not to damage the root crop itself. If the main root is very long and branched, it is allowed to cut it off a little, leaving a tail of 5–7 cm. However, it is better for beet storage when it remains completely intact - there is less chance of infection.

Then you need to select the beets, which will be laid for long-term storage. We leave only strong, whole and healthy root crops. All damaged, with signs of disease and rotten vegetables should be set aside separately. They should be used as food as soon as possible. They will not be stored for a long time, and even, starting or continuing to deteriorate, they will infect healthy beets. It is also desirable that the selected root crops are not very large. The best and longest stored beets, the diameter of which is up to 12 cm, and the large one lies poorly. Drying is the last step in preparing beets for storage.

You don't need to wash the root crops either before or after!

If the harvesting of beets occurs in warm, dry weather, then all its preparation for storage can be done right in the garden. For drying, we lay out the selected root crops, if under the sun - for 2 hours, and in the shade - for about 4 hours. No more is needed, otherwise the vegetables will begin to wither.

When the beets had to be dug out of the wet ground, maybe even in the rain and the weather in the next day does not allow it to be dried on the street, this should be done indoors. It is desirable that it be well ventilated. Scatter the root crops on the floor in 1 layer. Drying wet beets indoors lasts from 2–3 to 7 days.

The best conditions and methods for storing beets

Beets are best stored in sandboxes in a dark, cool room. Conditions that need to be created in it:

humidity level 95–90%;
temperature 0… +2 o C;
Natural ventilation is desirable.

Under such conditions, root crops can be stored until spring and even longer. The most important thing is to maintain the temperature, especially the first 1-2 months after laying the beets, because if it rises to at least +4 ° C, the tops of the vegetables will begin to sprout, and this will significantly reduce the shelf life. Also, the temperature should not be allowed to drop below 0 ° C, otherwise the root crops will freeze. Then, again, they cannot be saved for a long time.

It is impossible to create such storage conditions for beets in an apartment - only in the basement or cellar. The sand in the boxes should be clean sifted river sand, preferably washed and calcined in the oven or dried in the sun. We put it on the bottom of the container with a layer of 8-10 cm. Then we put the vegetables so that they do not touch each other. We sprinkle them with sand from above, making a layer of 2–3 cm above them. So we lay the beets to the very top of the box. Every month you should check the condition of the root crops. Those that have begun to deteriorate must be removed, and the overgrown tops should be cut off. Here's how to properly store beets so they'll last well into spring.

In polyethylene bags with holes for ventilation with a capacity of 35–40 kg. They are suspended and not tightly tied for air access.
In a chest with potatoes. Beets should be laid on top of the tubers in 1 layer. The potato will give excess moisture root crops that they need.
Small pyramids (heaps) on shelves or in small boxes with holes for air circulation. Shelves and drawers should be no lower than 15 cm from the floor.
In peat, table salt or sawdust. They, like sand, are sprinkled with root crops, laid in layers in boxes. If in sawdust, then it is advisable to check the condition of root crops more often than once a month.
In bulk in a separate chest, the bottom and walls of which are latticed, with slots.

These methods for correct execution and maintaining the required conditions can also allow vegetables to be stored until spring.

Before storing beets, it is advisable to powder the sifted wood ash or roll in chalk powder. This will protect the root crops from diseases and slow down the spread of spoilage from one to another. Small vegetables are best stored separately from large ones.

Storage of beets in the apartment

This option is the least preferable, since it is very difficult to store beets in an apartment in winter. More that you can count on - the roots will lie for 3-4 months. Storage methods are the same as for the cellar. Best of all in low boxes, sprinkled with sand. The entire storage period must be ensured that the filler remains dry.

The best conditions can be created on an insulated loggia, but there is a high risk of root crops freezing in hard frost. And if you heat this room, it is difficult to withstand the required temperature - up to +4 o C. But still, the conditions there are better than in the rooms. To prevent freezing, root crops can be placed in, which will need to be built. Or they will have to be covered with warm blankets in the cold.

You can store beets in the rooms of the apartment in a change house, pantry; under the wardrobe, bed; most importantly, away from batteries and in the dark. In the refrigerator, wrapping each tightly in food foil or parchment paper, beets can be stored for 2-3 months.

Beetroot is one of those vegetables that do not keep well in the refrigerator. However, for some time it can lie in the refrigerator in the vegetable compartment without losing its nutritional and vitamin properties. Therefore, for high-quality storage of these root crops, you need to know how to properly store beets in the refrigerator.

Features of storing beets in the refrigerator

Beetroot can be stored quite successfully in the refrigerator for up to one month. It is better not to store it for a longer period, because then it begins to intensively lose moisture and vitamins. Beets are stored in the refrigerator as follows:

It is necessary to clean the root crops well and put them unwashed in plastic bags, in which you first need to make several holes. In this way, stored vegetables can be preserved for several weeks.
Most often, beets are stored in vacuum bags. In this case, the beets must be washed well and cleaned of dry remains of tops. Then each root crop must be processed in brine and lay the roots in vacuum bags. Thus, root crops can be stored for a month or even more.
Root crops are often stored in paper bags in the refrigerator. In this case, root crops cannot be kept in the refrigerator for a long time.
Beets in the refrigerator are quite well preserved in special plastic containers. Where, when tightly closed, optimal conditions storage for 1-2 months.
For some time, washed beets can be stored in a bowl along with other vegetables.
Beets can be ground for food processor or in a meat grinder or cut into cubes and in plastic bags put in the freezer. Thus, it will be stored longer, but will lose a significant part of the vitamins and taste properties.

Storing beets in the refrigerator is not the best way, but still for some time the root crops are quite well preserved. When storing these vegetables in the refrigerator, they should be periodically inspected, at least once a week, and remove those that have begun to deteriorate or wither. For storage in the refrigerator, it is better to choose medium-sized beets, with a diameter in the thickest part of the root crop from 10 to 15 centimeters. Such root crops suffer less from fungal diseases and do not wither as quickly as small vegetables.

When the time comes to harvest, and it would seem that the difficult season for care and harvest is over, the most important thing is to finish the job, to keep the crop for the winter as long as possible without loss. After all, it was not in vain that you worked in the beds, fertilized root crops, removed weeds, and hilled. It is good if there is a cellar for storing crops, but do not despair if there are no such conditions. In this article, you will learn how you can save beets at home, in an apartment. As well as tips on preparing for storage, how to protect the crop in the cellar. The photo shows examples of beet storage.

Choosing a variety for long-term storage

So that the beets do not rot in the first month of storage, you need to choose a maturing variety. Most often, the Cylinder variety is laid in the cellars. The fruits of this variety look very good, seem firm and have good palatability. But the Cylinder is not meant for long term storage, don't waste your time. Its skin is very thin, prone to damage.

Varieties are suitable for long maturation: Libero, Lettuce, Detroit, Late Winter, Odnorostkovaya, Bordeaux-237, Boltardi, etc.

Beet harvesting

Tasty in winter will be varieties with medium-sized root crops. The fibers are not so strongly felt in them. But too small beets do not need to be chosen. They can be stored in the refrigerator and consumed first.

Preparing beets for storage

It is not worth delaying the harvesting of beets, as they are not frost-resistant, and at the first frost they can deteriorate. Fruit can be easily damaged when digging, so be careful.

Important! Any small damage, scratch can lead to infection, fungus and rot in the near future. Be extremely careful when processing root crops.

The main stages of preparation:

Rules for storing beets in the cellar

If you properly process the beets after harvesting, dry them well, then there should be no problems with storage. There are several rules to follow. The temperature in the cellar should not exceed +3°C. If it is higher, then the tops will begin to sprout, the beets will wither, will deteriorate. You also need to monitor the humidity so that condensation does not appear on the fruits, ventilation is necessary. It is advisable to place containers with beets at a level not lower than 8-10 cm from the floor. You can save beets:

in bulk in a separate compartment;
open in wooden boxes;
on the shelves;
along with potatoes in boxes or bags;
in a closed box with sand.

A wooden box is suitable for storing beets in the cellar.

The sand storage option is very common. Sometimes it is enough just to sprinkle the roots with dry sand. Sand removes excess moisture, prevents the reproduction of fungi.

Advice. Good air circulation is a must for storing any vegetable. It helps to cool the beets and prevents condensation from escaping.

Features of storing beets at home

In the apartment you can save the harvest for 3-4 months. For this optimal way will be storing beets in the sand. You can use a plastic bag as a container, or a box without gaps. You need to keep the beets in a dark, cool place, preferably on the balcony, but do not allow it to freeze. If there is no balcony, you can even under the bed. Inspect the sand periodically to ensure it is dry.

Another way to store is in the refrigerator. To do this, wrap each fruit with parchment or plain paper and put everything in a bag. Also for wrapping suitable foil. You can freeze the beets, but then the taste and vitamin properties will be lost.

If you simply put the beets in the refrigerator, without wrapping, then in this form it will last for a month, no more.

If you have developed a trusting relationship with your neighbors, you can safely store root crops on landing. There is excellent air circulation and sufficient for proper storage temperature.

By following these simple rules, you will save a whole complex of vitamins for the winter. Various beetroot dishes will decorate any festive and everyday table. The main primary processing and selection good fruit. Observe the temperature and humidity conditions, and periodically inspect the fruits in order to remove spoiled ones in a timely manner. Thus, your beet harvest will last until spring.

Beet harvesting and storage: video

Beets - common vegetable crop. Having gathered a rich harvest, people try to save it on winter months. To do this, you need to know how to properly store beets in the winter in a cellar or other home storage.

The best varieties for storage

The beets of medium early and early varieties survive the winter worse. They are intended for conservation, the use of a root crop in fresh cooking salads and other dishes. Late varieties are used for long-term storage.

For storage, beets of the following varieties are taken:

Renov;
Mulatto;
Gribovskaya;
Libero;
Bordeaux;
Egyptian flat;
incomparable;
Salad.

Seeds for sowing are selected taking into account the place of their breeding. It is best to take seeds from varieties that have been collected in your area. They are best suited to the local climate and weather conditions. For example, Matryona beets are perfectly stored in the Urals.

Preparing beets for storage in the cellar

In order to properly prepare the crop for storage in the cellar, it should be brought into line with the recommended parameters and correctly performed:

ventilation;
sterilization;
temperature;
humidity.

The cellar must be well ventilated. Cool air should move freely throughout the room. To provide sufficient level oxygen, vegetables are placed in prepared bins. The floor of the room, like other surfaces, must be kept clean and dry.

Attention! It is recommended to use bleach for storage sterilization.

Before storage, the beets are carefully selected and dried. On examination, pay attention to the presence of diseases (rot, mold), general defects and dents, softness and shoots. If a damaged vegetable is found, it is isolated from the rest. Detected shoots are removed.

How to store beets in the winter in the cellar

There are various technologies for storing beets in the cellar. It can be stored together with potatoes, placed in wooden or plastic boxes with or without fillers, put in plastic bags or on shelves. All these methods are popular with gardeners.

Together with potatoes

To keep beets in the cold season in the cellar with potatoes, you must use big box. First, pour a layer of potatoes into it. Lay the beets on top. Due to the natural compatibility of these vegetables, this method is considered one of the best for storage. Potatoes love dryness. Beets in the cellar require high humidity. During storage, the potato gives off moisture, which immediately passes to the beets and is absorbed by it. This ensures optimal conditions for keeping the crop in storage.

in boxes

There are 4 ways to store vegetables in boxes. The first storage option involves placing the beets in a box with holes for sufficient air circulation. No more than two kilograms of vegetables are placed in one package.

Another method of storing beets is that the collected and dried root crops are placed in a wooden box and sprinkled with ordinary salt. You can do it differently: each fruit is dipped in a salt solution and, after drying, placed in a box. Salt is considered not only an excellent absorbent, but also a wonderful crop protector from the appearance of fungus and mold.

In the third case, the root crop can be stored in boxes with plant leaves (mountain ash, wormwood, fern, tansy, gout), which release protective substances - phytoncides. They counteract the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria and the development of fungal diseases, thereby preserving the fruits from rot. Plant leaves are placed on the bottom of the container and between the beets.

AT last version storage vegetables contain in wooden box without holes. Dry ash is poured at the bottom or river sand. Harvest is laid in layers. Sand or ash is again covered from above, on which the next layer of beets is laid. The sand is pre-disinfected.

in bags

In a small cellar, beets are well stored in plastic bags. To save the root crops, the filled bag is suspended, small holes are made from below. With a certain frequency during storage, the bags are opened for ventilation.

On the shelves

Root crops are laid out close to each other on the shelves. Each layer is covered with sand with the addition of chalk and dry slaked lime (the proportion of sand and chalk is 50/1 kg). This mixture is good prophylactic from rot, mold and other diseases. Instead of sand, you can take sawdust.

Attention! The humidity in the storage room should not exceed 15 percent. Because of the disinfectant properties essential oils, which are contained in sawdust, the root crop does not lose its useful properties and does not shrink, forming wrinkles.

In clay glaze

To store beets in clay glaze, you first need to prepare a mixture of clay and water. For 1 kg of clay there is 0.3 kg of water. After preparing the glaze, well-dried root crops are dipped into the composition and dried. Processed beets are covered with a protective coating that protects against diseases. After drying, the beets prepared for storage are placed in boxes or boxes and left in the cellar.

Why beets wither in the cellar

Before laying root crops for winter storage in the cellar, they must be dried. It is better to do it in a draft. The container must have holes, a grid or a grid. Shoots must be completely removed. The cellar must be equipped with an exhaust hood, provide low level humidity and positive temperature. The safety of vegetables should be monitored and their bulkhead should be done at least twice a month.

In most cases, rotting begins due to the fact that vegetable growers violate storage rules, or root crops are affected by diseases. The main diseases are gray and white rot, phimosis with fusarium and heart rot. Gray rot appears on damaged vegetables or those that have been stacked frozen.

The appearance of white rot, phimosis and fusarium is associated with improper cultivation of the crop. In the first case, a lot of fertilizers were used, in the last two, proper prevention of fungal diseases was not carried out.

The disease associated with the rot of the core of the fruit is a consequence of insufficient moisture in the soil during cultivation. Most often manifested in hot dry summers.

Optimal storage conditions

The best conditions for storage in the cellar are:

Placement of root crops in a room with a constant temperature from 0 to 2 degrees Celsius and humidity up to 90%.
Sufficient natural air circulation or exhaust ventilation.

The optimal mode of storage of vegetables in the cellar is maintained during the entire period, since with an increase temperature regime and humidity, they begin to overgrow with shoots and gradually lose their useful qualities and appearance. When placed in containers or on racks, root crops should be at a height of at least 15 cm from the ground.

Conclusion

Using the tips above, you can store beets in the winter in the cellar until the next harvest. Great importance while having careful preparation vegetables for storage. Compliance with the conditions will allow vegetable growers to enjoy their favorite and mouth-watering beetroot dishes at any time of the year: borscht, salads, kvass.