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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Karen Atkinson on September 06, 2010, 15:30:50

Title: Beetroot
Post by: Karen Atkinson on September 06, 2010, 15:30:50
My stored beetroot (dark shed) have gone soft and wrinkly. Is this supposed to happen? I'd anticpated them remaining hard.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: plainleaf on September 06, 2010, 15:39:23
how did store them spudcounter? beside storing them in dark shed.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Karen Atkinson on September 06, 2010, 15:46:23
on a slatted counter. I don't think they were touching. I'd twisted off the leaves as I'd read to do. Perhaps the shed got too warm this past week (been on hol so only checked yesterday)
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: manicscousers on September 06, 2010, 16:21:34
we store ours in damp compost in a storage box with a lid in the garage, worked last year  ;D
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: AdeTheSpade on September 06, 2010, 16:26:34
I cook all ours and freeze them - it works and we've still got some from last year which are fine :)
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: realfood on September 06, 2010, 19:13:07
I find that the texture is not good after freezing. Much better to store in damp peat based compost in a mouse proof container in a cool, dark spot.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: BarriedaleNick on September 06, 2010, 19:36:04
I leave em in the ground for as long as possible - once picked they wont well store if it is too warm.  This is a bit of a balancing act as they can go woody..
Storing in boxes in sand or a clamp were the tradition methods I believe.. and twist the tops leaving an inch or show of stem..
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Morris on September 06, 2010, 21:06:43
I think they need to be stored cold, but frost-free, if you don't leave them in the ground - which I don't as I find slugs spoil them.

I put them in paper bags  in the fridge salad drawer in summer, if I have excess (we have a second fridge in the utility room for veg, seeds, and alcohol!)  The maincrop goes in the shed in a dustbin with spent compost to keep them moist.  They keep through to the spring like that before sprouting.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: sawfish on September 07, 2010, 02:18:03
take the leaves off too or else they will suck the goodness up into them.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Karen Atkinson on September 07, 2010, 13:06:26
thanks for all your replies. The ones in the shed were extra as I did cook and freeze some. I'll know next year to store in damp compost.
Title: Re: Beetroot
Post by: Denzle on September 22, 2010, 17:22:57
Store in boxes with sharp damp sand, Beets not touching.