Proven ways to store beets in an apartment and cellar

Growing a first-class crop of any vegetable crop in sufficient quantity is a success and a difficult procedure, but it is only half the battle, because it costs a lot to keep the crop without losses. The beetroot vegetable is no exception - the growing process is not too troublesome, so you rarely hear complaints about the low yield, but the fact that it was not possible to save the beets until winter is a common phenomenon. What to do? What is the correct way to store a beet? Let's figure it out.

Preparing a beet for storage

You can withstand all the rules and requirements for high-quality storage, but spoil everything with a bad start, because if you do not follow all the recommendations in the preparatory stage, you cannot get high-quality storage. That is why a clear sequence of actions should be carried out so that storage is not crowned with defeat.
High-quality drying. Exceptionally well-dried root crops should be stored, since the slightest signs of moisture can become a breeding ground for negative microorganisms, fungi, rot and mold. You can dry the beet on the same day as the harvest takes place - spread the roots in direct sunlight for a couple of hours, then turn them over so that they dry on both sides. If the weather pumped up and there was obvious dampness during the harvest, then drying should take place indoors, but always with good ventilation and the possibility of airing. When drying, there should be one layer so that the roots do not have contact with each other, but dry from all sides, do not forget about turning. For such drying, it will take at least several days, look at the final result and adjust the time.

Cleaning is an important step in preparing for storage. When the root crops of the beet are thoroughly dry, it is necessary to proceed to cleaning the land. Sometimes its amount is so small that efforts are not particularly needed, but the presence of large lumps of earth will be no exception. How to remove them? Only by hand! Forget about the options for cleaning by tapping root crops against each other or on any object, it is strictly forbidden to clean with a knife - avoid anything that can injure the peel, since otherwise long-term storage is out of the question.
Removal of lateral roots. Try to remove the abundance of lateral roots as carefully as possible, you should get a root crop that has only one large root, no more. Be careful, the procedure should be carried out carefully so as not to injure the bead.

Correct removal of the ground and root parts of the plant. Only at this stage should you tackle the tops. It cannot be torn off, it should be carefully cut off. The degree of cut should not be too close to the fruit, a small tail should be left, a couple of centimeters is enough. If the main root is very long, it should be significantly shortened. You do not need to store root vegetables with a root of more than 7 centimeters.
Qualitative selection. Before storage, you should create the most favorable conditions, so you need to clearly select high-quality beets from spoiled ones. Even the slightest suspicions or signs are a good reason for sifting, because only a high-quality crop should be stored. Also, select too small root crops, they wither quickly, so start eating beets with them, and even medium rounded root crops successfully move on to a more important stage - storage.

How to store a beet in a cellar?

Most often, the beet is stored in the cellar or in the basement, so we will consider these conditions first.A dark place and low temperatures ranging from 0 to +2 are ideal for a buryak. The humidity level should be around 90%. If you manage to create such conditions in the basement, your beets will be stored successfully. You should not experiment with differences in temperature indicators, since with an increase even by a couple of degrees, the start of germination of root crops may begin. As a result, storage will be of significantly poor quality and not long-term. Conclusion, it should be stored at the optimum temperature and humidity level - from 0 to +2 and 90%.

TOP-6 ways to store a beet in a cellar

Boxes with holes. The most common storage option would be to use boxes made of any material, but always with holes. Adequate air circulation assists long-term storage.
Location on the shelf with a slide. Many do not place the beet in a container, but stack the roots on top of each other, creating a slide. Remember, the shelf should be covered. For these purposes, straw or burlap is suitable. Contact between root crops is allowed, but not with walls, partitions or other shelves.
Submersion of the beet in sand and ash. The beet is stored very well in a mixture of ash and sand, which must be dry. Sand should be poured into any container at the bottom, and then root crops, then again a mixture of sand and ash. Experts recommend using river sand for storage.

The use of foliage. For successful storage of a beet, you can use the foliage of a fern or mountain ash. It is these plants that should be used, and not others, since the foliage has such properties that it will completely get rid of microbes, so the likelihood of damage to the crop is minimal.
Salt is an affordable storage option for beets. You should pour ordinary kitchen salt into the container for storing the beet, do not regret it, there should be a lot of salt.
Storage in a bag. If your room is small and you need to store a lot of vegetables, use large plastic bags, which should be tied tightly after filling. You can place such bags only on wooden shelves or stands. It is strictly forbidden to put bags of beets on the floor, bricks are allowed, but wood is better.

How to store a beet in an apartment? TOP-4 ways of apartment storage of beetle

There are a lot of gardeners and ordinary consumers who do not have cellars and basements, and the beet harvest was excellent, so there is a storage problem. We offer proven ways to store beets at home.

On the balcony in boxes. This storage option is suitable for glazed balconies or loggias, since in such rooms the temperature does not drop below zero. Take a box, add dry sand to it and safely store it in the winter. When the temperature outside the window is very low, you can cover the drawer with a blanket.
Special container-cellar made of polystyrene. A balcony is a tricky place, even if it's glazed. It is best to build a special container that can become a variant of the cellar. Equip any box of an acceptable size with a lid, and also insulate it from the inside with foam. A couple of centimeters thick is enough. This container will be a very good option for storing a beet at home.

If you decide to store a beet just in your apartment, without bothering with the conditions at all, remember that storage near heating is strictly prohibited.In order for the beet crop to delight you with its root crops for a long time, you should think over all the moments and storage conditions, then your work will not be lost, and you will be able to use the beet for its intended purpose throughout the winter.

Storage in a change house or closet. Many try not to take risks with temperature changes on the balcony, so they safely store a beet in a change house or a closet. For these purposes, you need a box of dry sand.
Cold storage. If there are not too many beets, cold storage can be used. For comfortable storage, you need to use not polyethylene, but foil for packaging each root crop. An alternative to foil is parchment paper. A beet can be stored in the refrigerator for about three months. The main advantage is that in the refrigerator there is little likelihood of the root crop turning soft, dry or sluggish.