How to Store Carrots for the Winter?

Question

Probably 85% of my carrot harvest looked like the photo. Someone suggested that I hadn't thinned them enough, but that's not the problem because I planted each individuall seed, at least 1 1/2 inches apart! Got any ideas what went wrong? I wanted to can carrots, but these are such a pain. I'm thinking of storing them in sand or something instead.

Do you have any experience storing carrots? What's your advice on the best way to keep them crispy for as long as possible? (And how to prevent these mutants in the future.)
I did use seeds that were coated, pelletized with some sort of fertilizer built into the coating. Think that's the reason? Thanks for your input.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

This depends on how long you plan to store and what equipment or conditions you have http://www.carrotmuseum.co.uk/carrotstorage.html historically a 'root cellar' was the ticket. the 'branching roots' are normally due to heavy, dense or rocky soil. Well drained light sand to peaty soil, deeply tilled will reduce the 'mutants'

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Judy being the queen of procrastination, I usually harvest the last of them in November. I wash them and store in the crisper in a brown paper bag. We were eating them into February last year and they were as fresh as they were in November. Gotta love those carrots.

Maureen O'Donovan · Answer

Did you 'transplant' them? (moved them when you thinned them out) Carrot roots are disturbed when moved from their original location and grow berserk like that.

Carole · Answer

I just read that carrots will sometimes fork or 'grow legs' due to fresh manure or even rotted manure being added to the soil prior to planting the seeds. Also if there are stones or obstructions in the soil this can happen. As to storing them - I don't have a clue!

White Oak Studio Designs · Answer

Mine look just like that too. They are homegrown and I don't care because they takes so fresh and tasty. I have nothing but sand- no manure-no stones and they look the same as yours. I leave mine in the ground until I harvest them...one or two a day until they are gone. I cut them up into pieces so the 'leggy' doesn't matter anyway.

Judy · Answer

Yeah, I do that too, but it's a pain when you're going to can them.

Douglas Hunt · Answer

Is your soil rocky or heavy? Carrots form multiple roots when the primary root gets damaged somehow.

Judy · Answer

Totally sandy loam with absolutely no obstructions and great drainage.

Jessica C · Answer

Your carrots will keep very well burried in a container of sand in your basement. Then you can pull them out as you need them. So much easier than canning!

Susie · Answer

I never have enough to store for any period but have been told that NOT washing them and storing layered in either newsprint or straw in a cool place is the way to go. This from a couple who are off grid, back to earth types. They successfully store theirs over the winter for use.

Sandra Cook · Answer

You can actually keep in the ground over winter and dig them us as you want to use them. And also leave them and eat them in the spring, even in cold snowy climates. I've done it before.

Lou ann johnson · Answer

I have some thaughts on this . when we were small we dug what we called tater holes Potato holes. Dig a hole about 4to5 ft, round 2to3 f. deep line with straw add potatoes turnips cabbage, carrots parsnips in sections in hole or just potatoes if u wish we had two sep. holes, my mother got smart and made the holes in a setion of the barn where no animals stayed we used the same hole for yrs,Cover hole that contains vegetables with burlap and straw then cover with dirt that was dug from original hole.W e had fresh food all winter ,and leftover potatoes to plant in spring I live in Ky. it,s gets pretty cold here. This always worked for us hope someone can use our ideas ;Im 72 so that has been a long time ago but I still use some of these ways Im sure during hard times people hid food this way .my Grandmother said her mother told them they had to hide their food from rebels during war between states,,,,,,

Judy · Answer

That is exactly what I would love to do, but we're way too cold here for that. However, as you mentioned, I'm sure there are many (like most) readers who will be able to take advantage of this convenient way to store root crops. Thanks, Lou ann! I think I need to move to Kentucky.

Coco Tree Service Corp · Answer

Your conjoined carrot problem could be damage to 'the growing point' of the carrot. Other popular opinions were using too much manure with high nitrogen levels. About the storing: Peat moss and a bucket will keep your carrots through the winter months. It is recommended that you do not wash or scrub the carrots before storing, the friction or abrasion can damage the thin carrot skin causing it break down faster. Trim the green tops off the carrots and place in your BPA free plastic bag lined bucket. Fill the bucket about 2/3 of the way full and cover with peat moss. You will leave the bag slightly open ( about 5 inches across)at the top. Store in a cool dry place. Here are 2 forums with discussions on the problem: http://www.plantanswers.com/vegetable_shapes_gallery.htm http://forums.seedsavers.org/showthread.php?t=3733 Hope this helps.

TERRY F · Answer

We alway hose most of the dirt off and put the carrots into grocery bags tie tightly and store in an old fridge we have in the basement. We will still be eating these carrots(if there is any left) right up to next spring.y

TERRY F · Answer

ha ha , sorry for the misunderstanding. Where I buy my groceries they only use plastic bags. So I put the carrots into smaller plastic bags, tie tightly and then refrigerate. Works great for me.

How to Store Carrots for the Winter?

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