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Growing carrots in your own yard and storing them for later use makes them a versatile and popular food. Carrots, if stored properly, will keep their flavour and texture for use throughout the year. Several strategies for long-term storage of homegrown carrots are covered here.
If you are new to this blog my name is Ashley and I am a soil scientist. I am located in a Canadian Zone 3 and a USDA Zone 4. I write articles, make YouTube videos, Instagram & Facebook posts all designed for Canadians and Cold Climate gardeners using science-based methods. If you are looking for anything specific be sure to let me know in the comments down below.
Chilling Out
Long-term cold storage is one of the most effective ways to preserve garden carrots. Carrots should be stored between 32 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit (0 and 3 degrees Celsius) in a cool, dark, and damp environment. For cold storage, you can either utilise a root cellar or a refrigerator with a low temperature setting. It’s important to cut off the greens before storing the root to prevent it from drying out and rotting.
Sand, Sawdust, etc.
Garden carrots can also be stored for an extended period of time in a container filled with sand or sawdust. Wash and dry the carrots before storing them in a jar lined with sand or sawdust. The storage environment for the container should be cool, dark, and humid. The carrots are protected from temperature swings and drying out thanks to the insulating properties of the sand or sawdust.
Canning
Carrots from the garden can also be canned for long-term storage. Canning carrots entails blanching the vegetables for a few minutes in boiling water, followed by packing them in jars with a boiling water or vinegar solution. If you want to preserve your carrots fresh for a year or more, canning is a terrific choice. Canning, on the other hand, is not something novices should attempt because of the specialized gear and understanding required.
Freezing
Long-term storage of garden carrots is also possible through freezing. To begin, boil the carrots for three to five minutes to blanch them. After a quick dip in an ice bath, the vegetables should be dried and stored in airtight containers. In this manner, carrots can be frozen and kept for up to a year.
Drying
Carrots from the garden can be dried and stored for an extended period of time. Dry carrots by slicing them thinly or grating them and placing them in a food dehydrator or an oven set to a low temperature. Dry items should be kept in an airtight container for long-term storage. Soups, stews, and other foods can be enhanced with the sweet, crisp flavour of dried carrots.
Finally, there are a few different ways to preserve garden carrots throughout the winter. Effective methods include keeping them in the fridge, burying them in sand or sawdust, canning, freezing, and drying them. Your tastes, in addition to the resources you have available, will determine the optimal approach for you to take. The key to keeping your garden carrots tasting great for as long as possible is keeping them cool and dry.
