You will find carrots in almost any fall garden display or storage plants. If handled, harvested, and stored properly, carrots can have a good shelf life, staying fresh and cool for months. Enjoy carrots in the winter with these harvesting and storage tips.
Download Internet Storage Carrots
Although you can store any carrot, not all varieties are suitable for long-term storage. Some species were bred with long-term storage in mind. At SESE, we carry a few heirlooms that are specially bred to preserve roots at a time when many people still rely on home products. If you want to store carrots for a long time, we recommend Danvers 126, Oxheart, Yellowstone, or Purple Dragon.
When to Harvest Carrots
Young carrots are often good for salads and fresh foods, but you want developed carrots for storage. The tips should start to fill in and become dull. It is important to get your seeds on time. Using shade cloth to cool the soil can help you grow even when it’s hot.
Plan and plant so that you can harvest fully grown carrots during your first frost. Before harvesting your bed, pull a few carrots to test their size and flavor, as maturity dates can vary with growing conditions. Fall brings shorter day lengths, so sometimes carrots that normally take 70 days to mature can take up to 100 days.
Fall-storing carrots tend to taste best when harvested after a light frost, but a heavy frost can damage any sprouts. According to the National Weather Service, a light frost occurs when temperatures drop to about 34°F (-1.1°C), and a hard frost occurs when temperatures drop below 28°F (-2.2°C).
Watch the forecasts and try to hit your ideal storage window. Pull them before a hard frost when they are ready to dig.
Harvesting and Preparation
Stop watering for a few days before harvesting so that the soil dries out a bit. Wet soil is good; you just don’t want to deal with overly wet soil.
If possible, harvest carrots on a cool, overcast day. Hot sun hitting your roots as you harvest them can shorten their shelf life.
To avoid breaking your carrots, especially in heavy clay soil, gently lift them out of the bed with a wide fork or garden fork.
Gently rub or remove any excess dirt.
Cut off the green tops about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above the shoulders of each carrot.
Avoid cutting the root hairs or trimming the roots, as cuts can cause rotting.
Set aside any cracked or damaged roots for immediate use and sort the roots by size.
How to Store Carrots
Before storing your carrots, you can wash them if you like. They should be handled gently to avoid any damage. If you decide to wash them, you should also allow them to air dry before storing them. Bathing ahead of time means they’re ready to go if you need them, but you don’t have to.
Carrots can be stored for several months as long as the ripe, undamaged roots keep them in good condition. Ideal storage conditions include a temperature of 32–38°F (0–3°C) and a relative humidity of 98%. This can be difficult to achieve on a home scale but the closer you get, the longer your carrots will last.
Smaller roots tend to start rotting faster, so it’s best to sort your carrots by size and use the smallest ones first. Check all your carrots every one to two weeks and remove and use or compost any that start to show signs of rot.
Storing Carrots in the Refrigerator
You can store carrots in the fridge if you are working on a small scale. Place them in single layer plastic bags and put them in your shiny cupboard.
Storing Carrots in a basement or basement
A root cellar or basement is a traditional option, which provides high humidity and cool temperatures. To store your carrots underground, you will need sand and a container. This method allows you to store more carrots than in the refrigerator.
When you’re done, your containers will be very heavy, so it’s best to put them in their place first, especially if they’re big. Plastic totes or waxed cardboard boxes work well for this.
Add a layer of wet sand to your container, followed by a single layer of carrots. Then, cover the carrots with a layer of sand, repeating this process until your container is full and you have a layer of wet sand on top.
Keeping Carrots in the Ground
Many ancients left their roots in the ground and you can do the same. Keep in mind that if temperatures are still warm in your area, carrots may continue to ripen and harden, so this may not work well everywhere.
In cooler climates, your carrots may be good for several months. We recommend covering the tops of the carrots with a large layer.
In areas with cold winters where the soil is firm, cover the carrots with 12 to 18 inches of mulch such as old grass or leaves. Push it aside to harvest. A row cover or low tunnels over raised carrot beds can provide additional protection.
Keeping carrots in the ground all winter gives you fresh produce and can allow you to harvest the seeds the following spring.
Canning or Freezing Carrots
The last option is that you can either blanch and freeze your carrots. It’s not the same as having fresh carrots, but hot storage carrots often hold their texture and flavor well through both the freezing and canning process.
Remember that carrots are a low-acid food, so to wash them in water, you will need to soak them. If you want to make simple carrots, you will need to use a pressure canner. The National Center for Home Food Preservation provides guidance on canning carrots.
Carrots are an excellent storage plant that can last for months if properly cared for. Treat your carrots with care and follow these tips to enjoy fresh carrots this winter.
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