Topic: Overwinter veg storage

[Steve.]

I'm curious to know if anyone managed to store veg (taters, carrots pumpkins squash etc) in a wooden shed without any form of heating through last winter's sub zero temps ok or not.

Has anyone acually managed to do this and if so how?

Steve...:)

[saddad]

My potatoes were fine just in a hessian sack... in the brick and tile outside toilet... it helps if the sacks are up off the floor... only the "current" use one lost a couple from freezing.  :)

[shirlton]

We store the squash in the house and some are still there waiting to be used. The other veg such as carrots potatoes parsnip and beetroot were stored in the shed but the severe and lengthy cold spell did some damage.This year we are collecting polystyrine packing to make a cosy den in the GH next to the house so that they will be a bit more protected. You can bet the weather will not be as bad now we are prepared for it

[Alex133]

Never tried but wonder if wrapping in an old duvet would help.

[shirlton]

We wrap in blankets but I am sure a duvet would be better. trouble is tehy get used for stuffing scarecrows ;D

[saddad]

Maybe you could store them in the scarecrows Shirl...  :-X

[lincsyokel2]

The traditional way is to store them in a 'clamp', basically you make a pile consisting of layers of product interleaved with straw, and then cover it all over with six inches of earth. Ive also read that sinking an airtight plastic barrel with a lid into the ground, with just the top poking out, and the exposed top then insulated with foam, or bubblewrap works.

[shirlton]

The farmers used to do that when ower Tone were a lad.(a long time ago). I don't think we would want to go up to the plot to fetch the veg for dinner during the winter months. So its got to be in teh GH

[Digeroo]

I lost some potatoes in the garage but those left in the soil came through ok, so I can see that a clamp would be a good idea. 

The year before I lost a lot of squash in the garage so this year so this year they were in the house.  But one rotten and the fruit fly situation was rather unpleasant and opened the door of the spare room to a cloud of them.

Thank you for starting this thread I would very much also like more suggestions for storage.  I am not very good at it.

[lincsyokel2]

The farmers used to do that when ower Tone were a lad.

eee bah eck lad, theres nowt sa queer as folk.

[Alex133]

Clamps seem such a palaver...

[Steve.]

Thanks for all the ideas and suggestions thus far, its all helpful. I'm also now considering using the attic for some storage which should be a lot cooler than inside our house and warmer than the shed.

Steve...:)

[lincsyokel2]

Clamps seem such a palaver...

Yes, but you didnt have much option in 1850, no fridges or freezers.

[manicscousers]

We have some of those plastic boxes with lids, we use compost to store carrots, swede, celeriac, beetroot, parsnips, all layered . We had really good success the last 2 years in the garage, plus our spuds and squash were ok in there  :)

[shirlton]

We use plastic boxes but with  sand for beets parsnips and carrots.Potatoes are in sacks. I think that perhaps the GH will be warmer as its by the house. How does the compost keep them manics?

[saddad]

The compost or sand just keeps them apart... so reduce rots spreading from one to the next... and reduces drying out some roots quickly go flaccid out of the soil..  :-X

[manicscousers]

compost is fine,shirl, but, in the spring, we do get an early salad crop of beet, celeriac, carrot and parsnip shoots, I use the compost in the garden after  ;D
might try the sand route as we're trying to stop using peat based compost and peat free is very expensive