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Show Garfield Agent Offers Food Storage Methods This is the time of year when questions begin to arrive on the best method to store the fruits and vegetables grown In the gardens, " Garfield County Extension agent, Verl Matthews helps to answer some of these questions. A person must create an ideal storage that will meet both the humidity and temperature requirements for the fruit and vegetables being stored, Matthews said. Panguitch area has an average humidity of about 60 percent with the afternoon humidity being about 20 percent and the morning humidity being 100 percent during the time frost is forming on the ground. The average humidity in a heated home, Matthews said is about 20 percent. There are a number of ways to store vegetables and fruits, some people bury old refrigerators in the ground; some build places insulated with sawdust above the ground and others dig trenches. But the ideal method for our area, according to Matthews, is to dig a root cellar, outside of the home with a dirt floor and ventilation for alleviating excessive heat during the fall or springtime of the year. A good ventilation would be a pipe or tube or lid that can be opened partially during the night and closed during the day during the spring or fall and probably be left closed during the coldest part of the winter. The frost can penetrate one to three feet in the soil so this much soil is required for insulation. Using sawdust would be even more effective than soil. After digging the pit, Matthews said, most people use a wood or pole frame over the top. They then put a layer of field fence over the frame then cover with straw then put the sawdust then soil or just soil. The reason the straw is used is to provide more insulation and also it tends to keep the moisture away from the wood, thus adding life to the wood being used. Many people use concrete slabs for the top of their cellar then cover this with the recommended one to three feet of soil. This would help the structure last longer, Matthews said. Following is a list of vegetables and fruits with the recommended temperature and humidity following each Item, . in that order, to make the best possible storage conditions. One to two weeks storage Is all that Is possible for the following In the following conditions; Cucumbers 45-50, 85-95; eggplants 45-50, 85-90; muskmelons 50-55, 75-80; ripe tomatoes 40-5u, 80-85; broccoli 32-35, 90-95. Two to four weeks honey dew melons 36-33, 73-83; okra 50, 85-95; summer squash 40-50, of 32 degrees and humidity 83 to 95 degrees are Florida oranges, beets, cabbage, celery, endive, Jerusalem artichoke, green leek, parsnips, radishes rutabagas and turnips. V Vegetables and fruits thar will ' last from two to four months with temperature 50 to 55 degrees and relative humidity 95-93 are carrots. Six to eight months at 31-32, 85-95 are apples, delicious, golden delicious,, rome beauty, winesap; carrots, and potatoes with temperature ranging from 35-40, Garlic and onions, both need to be in humidity of 70-75. Horse-radish 32, 95-98 will last up to 12 months and will not be injured by freezing. Other vegetables that will not be injured by freezing are artichoke, parsnips and turnips. Produce with two to four 'months storage life, with the Suggested storage, temperature 5-5; watermelons 50-60, 75-85; brussels sprouts 32-35, 90-95; kohlrabi 32, 95-98. Four to six weeks sweet potatoes 55-60, 80-85; peppers 45-55, 85-95; mature green tomatoes 55-70, 80-85; grapes 32-35. 90. Two to four months-pumpkins 50-55, 70-75; apples, Mcintosh and Jonathan 36, 85-95; pears 32, 85-95; grapefruit, California-Arizona oranges, lemons and limes should all be stored at temperatures 48 to 55 degrees with a relative humidity of 85-95. anai aVrialaaaaaaaaaHaaaaaaraaaaaaaaHaHalaBiM&& J sBIBtfH 4fjj 7 jflaaaaaaviHavHa' BaaaaaaalsaPaVaYat&aHA aaMsaAJ jMnTanSw Earl Rm stands la root cellar at home of his mother, Mrs. Ruty Roe la Panguitch la preparation for placing torn this year's produce for use dating the winter, The Roe root cellar Is one of only two ground cellars la Panguitch. |