Freeze Fresh: A Step-by-Step Guide to Long-term Storage of Garden Carrots

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Ashley

Ashley is a soil scientist who has had a passion for plants since she was a small child. In the long summers as a child, she would garden alongside her grandmother and it was then that she realized her love for greenery. With years of great studying, Ashley had begun her post-secondary education at the University of Saskatchewan. After years of working in agriculture R&D she has decided to take on teaching gardeners using science.

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Carrots harvested from a garden last longer when frozen. I store mine in the freezer for up to 12 months! If they last that long.

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.

Here are some guidelines for properly freezing carrots from your garden:

1. Carrots are ready to be picked when they reach full size. What this implies is that they need to be solid and have a vibrant orange tone.
2. Remove any dirt or debris from your carrots by carefully sorting and washing them.
3. Leave about an inch of the carrot’s stem after cutting off the green tops.
4. Carrots should be sliced or chopped into pieces that are about half an inch thick.
5. Boil the carrots for three to five minutes to blanch them. This will help prevent the carrots from turning mushy while they’re stored.
6. The carrots should be cooled rapidly after blanching by being placed in a bowl of ice water.
7. After they have cooled after their blanching process, carrots should be dried thoroughly.
8. As much air as possible should be removed from the container or freezer bag before sealing it with the carrots inside.
9. Date and contents should be written on the containers or bags before being frozen.
10. Carrots can be frozen for up to a year if stored properly.
11. Frozen carrots can be thawed in the refrigerator until ready to use, or they can be used in their frozen state in a variety of recipes.

It’s crucial to remember that freezing carrots might alter their texture, making them less crisp and possibly more fragile once thawed. This means they might not be as suitable for raw eating, but they can still be used in prepared meals.

For more ideas on how to store your garden carrots long-term check out this article.