cold storage for vegetables - province of manitoba

Cold Storage Options–Basements

•generallycoolanddry(10–16°C&60percenthumidity)

• bestlocationinNorth–Eastcornerofbasement• idealforpotatoes,carrots,turnipsandparsnips

Cold Storage Options–Refrigerators •generallycoldanddry(0–4°C&50–60percent

humidity)• goodforonionsandgarlic• throwoutfruitandvegetablesthatshowsignsof

spoiling• cleanandwipewithdampclotheveryfewweeks

Cold Storage Options Root Cellars •generallycoldandmoist(0–4°C&95percent

humidity)• needprotectionfromrodents• straw,hayorwoodshavingsetc.canbeusedfor

insulation• usuallylocatedoutsidethehouse

Root Cellars– Garden Row Storage •goodforcarrots,

parsnips,turnips,beets

Cold Storage for Vegetables• coverwithplastic,clothorscreening,nextabout

eightinchesmulch,moreplasticandaddmoremulch(about12inches)

• easytodigoutasbottomlayerisdry•markrowssoeasytofind

Root Cellars–Hay Bale Fortress •goodtoextendlifeofplantssuchaslettuce,

tomatoes,broccoli,etc.• stackbalesofhaytwolayersdeeparoundplants• coverwitholdstormwindow•addstrawfilledbagsoroldrugsontopofwindow

Root Cellars–Tents or Mounds •goodtoextendlifeofbroccoli,chard,turnipgreens,

etc.• putstakesateitherendofrowandstringwire•placeU–shapedwireortwigsalongrow•putplasticoverwireandanchoredgeswithstones

andearth• openendswhen

sunny;closewhencool

Root Cellars–Buried Refrigerator

•goodforapples,potatoes,beets,carrots,turnips,parsnips

• removemotor,shelves,drawersanddoorlocksfromunusedrefrigerators

• digholeonefootlargerthanfridge;placeonbackinholewithdooratgroundlevel

• putstonearoundfridgefordrainage;fillwithlooseground

Root Cellars–Trenches

•goodforleafyvegetableslikecabbage•digtrenchabouttwofeetdeep•putlayerofstraw,leavesormoss•placevegetableplants,rootandall• coverwithboards,thenstrawandsoil

Root Cellars—Storage Barrel •goodforavarietyofvegetables• digholesobarrelisplacedat45°angle• putstonesinholefordrainage;placebarrelinhole• coverwithtwofeetgroundallaroundbarrel

• putvegetablesinbarrel;insulatewithhayorstraw;coverandholdinplacewithlargestone

Root Cellars–Earth Pits •goodforvarietyof

vegetables• digpittwofeet

deepbyfourfeetwide

• packeartharoundedgetoslopeaway

• digtrencharoundtochannelwateraway

• putsandorsawdustinpit;layervegetableswithsand

• coverwithstraw;thenplastic,finallyadoororplanks

Cold Storage Options–Outbuildings • usegranariestopackvegetablesinthegrain• digpitsinoutbuildingsiftheyhavegroundfloors• buryametalwalllockerinagarage• coverwithblankettoallownolight,inacoolroom

orcloset