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Farm Kitchen:  How do you store your garden produce?  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
 Posted - May 26 2008 : 07:24:44 AM
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I know how to can, so things like tomatoes don't daunt me. But storing carrots, potatoes, onions and such for a long period of time does!
How do you do it? I would love to have a traditional- dug into the ground root cellar as I am guessing that this is really the way to keep them the freshest over the winter. But Assuming I don't have a root cellar- how would you suggest keeping my garden produce fresh?
Here are the things I think I know:
They should be kept in a dry, cool environment.
They should be picked through occasionally in case any turn bad as rot can infect all if removed quickly.
So what I was thinking was if we had a garage maybe I could build storage box for each time and seperate each layer by a layer of straw. Would that work?
As soon as we get a house I want to plow up any grass we might have and plant a huge garden. I have the urge to do so right now, but no where to do so. My parents have a good garden, but I would love to have a good quarter of an acre! :D
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2008 : 07:33:10 AM
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Alee- I would like to hear an answer on this as well but we should be neighbors. I swear we think alike!! We could just have a continous garden between are plots of land. One of my requirements for finding a house is enough land to grow a huge garden on, room for a hammock or 2 and a pool. I will retain a small patch for Charlie to play on and for the animals.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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nouveau_farmchick
True Blue Farmgirl
173 Posts
Paris
Sequim
Wa
USA
173 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2008 : 08:03:47 AM
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I have a wonderful book (published in the 70's) by Rodale press, called Root Cellaring by:Mike and Nancy Bubel
has lots of answers,also look at Growing It, and many other 70's books will tell you about, canning, drying, smoking, and root cellaring!
Farmgirl
sisterhood #167 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2008 : 10:43:25 AM
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Thanks for the reference, Pennie! I will try to find that book.
Heather- Hun, we SHOULD be neighbors- but you will have to move to Wyoming/Montana for that! I just couldn't STAND being so far away from my family as Texas! We have a lot of sand....less water...but we do have some really excellent lakes with beaches... Could you give up the salt water for the fresh?
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - May 26 2008 : 12:31:33 PM
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I don't mind the water change...it's the temperature change I can't do!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the heat!! I know,,I am nutty like that.
So I guess it is Iowa or something in the middle then???
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
FARMGIRL #90 |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2008 : 4:05:20 PM
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Wish we had a root cellar. Can't tell you how many pounds of sprouted potatoes get tossed each spring.
I blanch and freeze some veggies like beans and corn, but have recently become knowledgable and not so afriad of pressure canning. It takes longer, but food stays preserved for longer too.
A water bath canning method is good for high acid foods. Most everyting else I prefer to eat as the season dictates by planting the garden each spring and fall |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2008 : 7:11:58 PM
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Canning is always great for preservation. I have potatoes sprout in my cupboards all the time and it is SOOO frustrating to throw away food that could have been fine if stored better. :(
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
Please come visit Nora and me on our new blog:
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com |
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aimeeravae
True Blue Farmgirl
341 Posts
Aimee
Deer River
MN
USA
341 Posts |
Posted - May 27 2008 : 8:38:52 PM
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I am not sure of the exact process, but I have heard of people particially cooking potatoes and then freezing them. You could pressure can potatoes and other low acid foods. It works well and your local extension office checks gauges for free. Our local hardware store will help with the gaskets.
Aimee |
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Farm Kitchen: How do you store your garden produce? |
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How do you store your garden produce?
