Storing
Root vegetables, cool and dark
Lifting roots means using a fork and handling soil, which can nick the skin or cause blisters. Wear gloves and sturdy boots, and keep your tetanus cover up to date.
- Where to get help
- Your GP or practice nurse.
Cool, dark and slightly humid conditions slow sprouting and stop the roots drying out and shrivelling, while damaged skin lets in rot that spreads through the box.
When
Lift maincrop roots from mid to late autumn before hard frosts set in, roughly October to November. Carrots, beetroot, turnip and celeriac are lifted for storing; parsnips and swede can stay in the ground longer and sweeten after frost.
How
1) Lift on a dry day, easing roots up with a fork so the skin stays whole. 2) Twist off the leaves at the crown rather than cutting them. 3) Rub off loose soil but do not wash the roots. 4) Throw out any that are damaged, forked or blemished, as these rot first. 5) Layer sound roots in shallow boxes or crates between slightly damp sand, leaf mould or sawdust so they do not touch. 6) Keep at 0 to 4C in a cool, dark, frost-free shed, garage or cellar. 7) Check monthly and remove any that are softening.
Notes
Washing shortens storage life, so store roots dry. Parsnips and swede can be left in the ground under a straw or leaf mulch and dug as needed through winter.