Show Vegetable Storage by Jack Herring County Extension Agent We have been getting numerous numerous numerous numer numer- ous calls on storage of ot garden vegetables Therefore we thought we would write a short article and If more Information Is wanted call the extension Of Ol- Ol fice tice I If you want to dig your vegetables vegetables vegetables vege vege- tables and store them In pits etc be sure to 1 Leave them In the ground as long as possible 2 Dig the vegetables when the soil soU Is dry 3 Cut plant tops 2 1 Inch above the crown 4 Wash vegetables but dry them off oft before storing 5 Protect them from drying winds 6 See that vegetables are cool before putting them In storage For storage places you can use 1 A wooden barrel placed on its side and covered with straw and soil 2 An old refrigerator buried in the ground with its door facing facing facing fac fac- ing upwards 3 Small shaped cone-shaped outdoor outdoor outdoor out out- door mounds for storing potatoes potatoes potatoes pota pota- toes carrots beets turnips parsnips cabbage or winter apples or pears Directions 1 Choose a well-drained well lo lo- lo cation 2 Make a nest of straw leaves or other bedding material material material ma ma- on the ground 3 Bury the vegetables small quantities of different kinds covering with more bedding 4 Cover the mound with about 4 Inches of soil soU and firm the soil soU with the back of the shovel 5 Dig a shallow drainage ditch around the mound 6 Allow for ventilation Into the mound by having a small amount of the bedding material extend up through the soil soU to the top of the pile pUe Cover the opening with a board or with sheet metal to protect it from rain Note that pi pits ts or mounds should be In a different place every year since leftovers in used pits usually are Large outdoor pits are not practical unless the winter temperatures temperatures temperatures tem tem- In your area average 30 degrees or below If you use them remember that dirt floors help maintain a more uniform temperature They also can serve as storm or fallout shelters Members of a family or group in the same vicinity could share a large storage pit The dampness of outdoor pits encourages decay and is not recommended for sweet potatoes potatoes potatoes pota pota- toes pumpkins and squash on onions onions onions on- on ions or peppers Sweet potatoes pumpkins and squash should be stored In a adry adry adry dry place at 55 degrees or 60 degrees For better keeping harden the rinds and heal surface surface surface sur sur- face cuts by curing by a heater or furnace for 10 days at 80 degrees to 85 degrees Acorn squash is the ex exception exception ex- ex curing curing m makes a k e s It stringy and orange orange colored colored whereas It at should be dark green Onions sprout and decay at high temperatures in high humidity Store In open loose loose- woven ly-woven bags at room temperature temperature temperature temp temp- or slightly cooler Peppers green will keep for 2 or 3 weeks In a box with a polyethylene liner at 45 degrees to 50 degrees Make 12 to 15 4 1 Inch holes In the liner Potatoes late crop potatoes will keep for several months In Ina Ina ina a cool dark place at 45 degrees to 50 degrees with good venti venti- lation Higher temperatures cause sprouting and shriveling Lower te temperatures may give potatoes a sweet taste Light causes greening and lowers eating quality Apples keep best at about 32 degrees where temperature remains the same and the air airIs airis airis Is rather moist Do not store apples and vegetables together in the same place Parsnips should be left In the ground The flavor and texture improve with frost Pull cabbage up by the roots and place head down in a long mound above ground level Cover with straw and soil and dig a drainage ditch around the mound The English setter is ap apparently apparently apparently ap- ap Americas America's oldest gun dog Long before his shorthaired shorthaired shorthaired short- short haired rival the pointer came into popularity the English setter setter set set- ter ten was providing a prime asset assetto to hunters wherever American upland game birds were found |