• Home
  • Get to Know Me
  • Blog Topics
    • Backyard Garden
    • Homestead Animals
    • Real Food
    • Simple Living
  • Contribute
  • Contact Me
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

The 104 Homestead

Homestead where you live.

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

By Jessica Lane | Last updated on June 25, 2017

How to Store Fresh Produce for Winter

Check your inbox!

Subscribe to The Homestead Helper, a monthly(ish) homesteading newsletter, to get your Printable Seed Packets


Heads up! I link to products and services that I love from time to time. More often than not I have an affiliate relationship with these providers. What does that mean? I might make a small percentage from any purchases you make, but don't worry, you won't pay even a penny more. Thanks for supporting The 104 Homestead. You can see our full disclosure statement here.

  • 958shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • Share

Canning and freezing produce for storage is a great way to preserve it for a long winter, but sometimes you want it fresh. Canned and frozen are great for some recipes, but others just taste better when you prepared them with firm/crisp produce. If you are buying this produce at your local grocery store out of season, I guarantee you are paying too much. The further they ship it in from, the older and more expensive it will be.

Frozen and canned produce is good, but sometimes fresh produce off-season is better. Discover how to use Fresh Storage to enjoy fresh produce year round.

Wouldn’t it be so much better to just grab a fresh apple or a head of garlic from your own storage area and use it?

How do you store your own produce for a long winter?

Here is a rundown of the major produce and the best ways to store it. If you are lucky enough to have a root cellar then you probably don’t need these tips and tricks, but for the rest of us, this is a handy guide.

Potatoes, Beets & Rutabagas

The most important key to storage this type of produce is curing. Once the foliage has died back, pull the produce and lay on newspaper in a cool location (50-60ºF) in a well-ventilated area and wait for two weeks for the skin to toughen. Do not wash before storage, but brush off any large clumps of dirt. If any produce is damage (like you scratched the surface when digging it up), then use those soon. Do not store any produce that isn’t perfect.

After curing, store in bushel baskets, a cardboard box with holes for ventilation or in wire bins.  Cover the container with newspaper to eliminate light. Ideal storage temperatures are 30-40ºF, but they will still store well for several months at higher temperatures.

Onions

When it comes to storing onions, successful store starts at the very beginning. Seeds and young plants produce onions that store better than onion sets do. Mild onions do not store as well as stronger-flavored varieties. Choosing the right type of onion is just as important as how you store them.

At harvest time, you will want to cure them the same way as you do the potatoes. After they have cured, hang them in pantyhose or mesh bags away from light. Ideal storage temperatures are 35-40ºF.

Garlic

Harvest time is tricky when it comes to garlic and it varies greatly depending on your growing zone. Typically, you want to keep an eye on it and dig up when the second set of leaves starts to yellow. If you wait too long the cloves will begin to separate and it will not store as well. Once harvested, cure the garlic in the same way you would potatoes and onions. Keep out the largest cloves for planting next year since the larger the cloves, the larger the head it grows. Store your cured garlic in a braid or in a mesh bag at 35-40ºF in complete darkness.

I store mine in a kitchen cabinet on an outer wall because it’s always chilly in that cabinet.

Winter Squash & Pumpkins

Winter squash and pumpkins are ready for harvest when the skin is nice and firm. When you harvest, you want to leave some of the stem attached. Cure for 10 days in a warm (75-80ºF) sunny location. Once cured, keep your squash and pumpkins in a cool location (55-60ºF).

Frozen and canned produce is good, but sometimes fresh produce off-season is better. Discover how to use Fresh Storage to enjoy fresh produce year round.

Carrots, Turnips & Parsnips

Sand storage is one of the best ways I have found to store these root vegetables. Line the bottom of a 5-gallon bucket or similar container with several inches of moist (not damp) sand. Lay out a layer of veggies so they aren’t touching each other. Cover them with a layer of sand and continue the process until the bucket is full. Cover the final layer with more sand. The box will be very heavy when it’s full, so be sure to keep that in mind. You want to keep your bucket in an area that stays just above freezing.

The only method that is better (in my opinion) than sand storage is keeping them in the ground and covered a thick layer of straw mulch. Unfortunately, this isn’t often feasible for those of us that get several feet of snow through the winter.

Cabbage

When storing cabbage, you want to leave about 6″ of stalk attached and trim any loose outer leaves. Wrap your cabbage loosely in a plastic bag. I like to use grocery bags. Store them upside down in a well-ventilated area that stays between 35-40ºF.

Apples

This is my favorite thing to fresh store. There is nothing like popping down to the basement to grab a crisp, juicy apple. Apples are best stored in shallow layers in storage baskets or ventilated crates. Keep them at a temperature that is just above freezing. They do produce ethylene gasses, so do not store near vegetables. I like to give them a corner all of their own.

More Storage Information

Dry Goods StorageDry Goods Storage

In addition to your produce, it’s wise to have a good stock of dry goods stored as well. Check out this printable by Classy Clutter that shows you how to stock your pantry for only $5 a week.

 

Canned Goods StorageCanned Good Storage

Keep you canned goods organized so you can see what you have and use them from oldest to newest. Shanty 2 Chic offers a neat idea for organizing all of those cans. It could easily be modified to accommodate canning jars.

Frozen and canned produce is good, but sometimes fresh produce off-season is better. Discover how to use Fresh Storage to enjoy fresh produce year round.

You May Also Like

  • Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash? Yes! Here’s HowCan You Freeze Spaghetti Squash? Yes! Here’s How
  • How to Make Tomato Paste Easily in the OvenHow to Make Tomato Paste Easily in the Oven
  • Mixed Berry Jam with Raspberries, Strawberries, and BlueberriesMixed Berry Jam with Raspberries, Strawberries, and Blueberries
  • Feverfew for Migraines: A Multipurpose Medicinal HerbFeverfew for Migraines: A Multipurpose Medicinal Herb
  • 958shares
  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Reddit
  • WhatsApp
  • Share
The following two tabs change content below.
  • Bio
  • Latest Posts
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy Instagram profileMy Pinterest profile

Jessica Lane

I am a non-traditional homesteader. What is a non-traditional homesteader? I'd like to think we are the people who don't fit the mold. I am a busy mom on a small bit of property with not a lot of financial resources, but I am figuring out how to live the life I want. A homesteader's life.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy Instagram profileMy Pinterest profile

Latest posts by Jessica Lane (see all)

  • Burn Barrel 101: Why You Need One on Your Homestead - November 24, 2020
  • How to Incubate and Brood Coturnix Quail - October 1, 2020
  • Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash? Yes! Here’s How - October 1, 2020
  • The Big List of Chicken-Safe Plants for In & Around Your Coop - October 1, 2020
  • Help Livestock Deal with Summer Heat on the Homestead - March 25, 2020

Filed Under: Backyard Garden Tagged With: Garden Tips, preservation

Subscribe

Thank you! You will receive an email in your inbox shortly to confirm your subscription.

Subscribe to The Homestead Helper and receive a copy of my new book, Welcome to the World of Homesteading, your guide to setting attainable homesteading goals. If I can homestead where I live, what's stopping you?

Previous Post: « Your Guide to Healthy Houseplants
Next Post: Let Your Chickens Do Your Composting »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. a says

    October 10, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    test

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    October 25, 2016 at 11:59 pm

    I found a perfect easy way to store carrots that will last until next years are ready. I don’t pull them from the garden until it has froze a few nights. Then I pull them, cut the tops off them, throw them in the gentle cycle of my washing machine with a cold water wash and a few old towels for them to swish with. Pull them out of the washing machine and bag them loosely with grocery store plastic bags, tied loosely. Then I pile them in a fridge I have for that purpose only. I have used this method for years! But not sure how this will work in a front load washer. I just bought a commercial top load washer and this is ONE of the reasons I did! (I use way too many carrots for the pail method). And I never buy carrots from the grocery store. Now does anyone have any ideas for turnips?

    Reply
    • Jessica Lane says

      November 3, 2016 at 2:12 pm

      Wow! I’ve never heard of that technique. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  3. Lisa M says

    October 8, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    Great tips! I think I’m going to try the sand method this year for my carrots.

    You post was chosen as the featured post this week at Green Thumb Thursday. Stop by and check it out and thanks for linking up!

    Lisa

    Reply
  4. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life says

    October 2, 2015 at 11:02 pm

    Great tips! Last year I stocked up at our CSA’s end of the season sale and stored as much as I could. I got some new helpful hints here though. Thank you! So glad you shared it with us at #FoodieFriDIY this week. I’ll be sharing it on my Facebook page tomorrow. Hope you can stop by!

    Reply
  5. Swamp Pixie (@PixiesPocket) says

    May 5, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Timely! This will come in handy for potatoes in a few months, hopefully! 🙂

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

My name is Jessica Lane. I live a nearly self-sufficient lifestyle with my three beautiful children on 5 1/2 acres in Maine. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats, ducks, and chickens, and we grow as much food as we can. What we can’t grow or produce ourselves we barter for. If we can homestead where we live, what’s stopping you?

Read More

Search This Site

Now Trending

What you're going to be looking for/dealing with throughout the breeding and goat gestation process. Plus, a free Nigerian Dwarf kidding calculator.

What to Expect When Your Goat is Expecting (Part 1)

Mason jar feeders and waterers are great, but they can be hard to hang. Here is an easy crochet holder that will keep your feeder and waterer off the ground.

DIY Poultry Feed & Water Hanger

This baked macaroni recipe is a staple in my half vegetarian household. The carnivores don't mind missing their meat dish when this is served. It is quick and easy to make.

4 Cheese Baked Macaroni

Keep In Touch

  • 68,203 Pinteresting Followers
  • 26,314 Facebook Friends
  • 4,985 Twitastic Friends
  • 2,446 InstaBuddies
  • 245 Subscribers

Psst! I Sell Holistic Goat Treats

  • Home
  • Homestead Living
  • Real Food
  • Homestead Animals
  • Gardening & Outdoors
  • Inspiring Homesteads

Footer

Disclaimer

I am not a doctor, lawyer, veterinarian or Martha Stewart. Please use the knowledge acquired from this site responsibly.

See Our Privacy Policy

Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Work With Me

Become a Contributor/Guest Writer
Advertise on The 104 Homestead
Contact Me

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
Homemade pizza and game night. I love this time wi Homemade pizza and game night. I love this time with my boys. #makingmemories❤️ #homemadepizza🍕 #qualitytime #farmlife #homesteadingit #lifeouthere #homestead #simpleliving #homesteading #nothingisordinary #instagood #farmlifebestlife #thehomegrownlife #farmlove #farmliving #familyfarm #sustainability #homesteadlife #consciousliving #selfreliant PS: My oven is permanently stained. It's not really that gross 😆
Little kitten face is helping me grade my son's al Little kitten face is helping me grade my son's algebra work. She's so helpful! #catsofinstagram #kittenlove #homeschoollife #kittenlife
Hecks yeahs! 🍌 🍞 (I didn't cut it lol) Hecks yeahs! 🍌 🍞 (I didn't cut it lol)
I don't know this for sure, but I feel like the mi I don't know this for sure, but I feel like the mister buys bananas purely because he knows when I spot them over ripening on the counter, I'll make banana bread. Never seen him actually eat one. I feel there's a banana conspiracy happening here. It's all good though... I ♥️ 🍌 🍞 #bananabread #breakfastofchampions #homebakingrocks #nooldbananas
These two warm my heart. Working animals at rest. These two warm my heart. Working animals at rest. They have such an amazing bond. #lgd #barncat #farmdog #homesteadingit
Working on some face scrubbies. Pattern is a free Working on some face scrubbies. Pattern is a free download on ravelry thanks to @stitchedupcraft #crochetersofinstagram #winterproject #happyhooker #homesteadingit #makeityourself
Load More... Follow on Instagram
© 2013-2020 Jessica Lane of The 104 Homestead