Proper harvesting of carrots at the optimal time is the key to a high-quality crop that is not only tasty but also lasts a long time. We’ll talk about this later.
When to pick up
A few days before the start of the last ten days of September, it is extremely important to finish harvesting carrots, especially if you live in the northern regions. This is because at temperatures below +5 degrees, carrots stop growing and may even begin to rot with the first frost. In southern regions, the harvest time may be delayed due to later frosts.
Too early collection is also not recommended. Carrots harvested prematurely and placed in the cellar can spoil due to sudden changes in temperature. This is especially true for late varieties. The average time when it is recommended to start harvesting is 110 days after planting. In early varieties, the first sign of ripeness is the yellowing of the tips.
How to store
The best place to store carrots is in the basement. Use wooden or plastic boxes with flat edges and fill the bottom with 2-3 cm of dry sand. Alternatively, you can use dried sawdust or onion peels. The carrots are laid in one layer and then covered with filling. You can make several layers, as long as the last layer is putty. In such conditions, carrots can last up to a year.
Another storage method is the use of plastic bags. The carrots are placed in bags, sprinkled with pine sawdust, removed from the air (sometimes with a vacuum cleaner) and tied tightly. Carrots can be stored in this way for 2 to 4 months.
For longer storage in the refrigerator, carrots should be thoroughly washed, dried, the ends cut off and left to dry. Then place in a plastic bag or vacuum seal, remove the air and tie tightly. These carrots will keep in the refrigerator for 1 to 2 months.
