Optimum Storage Conditions for Vegetables

[Michelle W. Flannery]

The following is a list of vegetables grouped by temperature and humidity level requirements for optimum storage.

These vegetables require cold and and very moist conditions
(32-40*F and 90-95 % humidity):


Beets
Broccoli (short term)
Brussels Sprouts (short term)
Carrots
Celeriac
Celery
Chinese Cabbage
Hamburg-rooted Parsley
Horseradish
Jerusalem Artichokes
Kohlrabi
Leeks
Parsnips
Rutabagas
Salsify
Scorazonera
Turnips
Winter radishes

These fruit and vegetables require cold and moist conditions
(32-40* and 80-90% humidity)

Apples
Cabbage
Cauliflower (short term)
Endive, escarole
Grapes (40 degrees F)
Grapefruit
Oranges
Pears
Potatoes
Quince

These fruits and vegetables require cool and moist conditions
(40-50*F and 85-90 % humidity)

Cantaloupe
Cucumbers
Eggplant (50-60* F)
Ripe Tomatoes
Sweet peppers (45-55*F)
Watermelon

These vegetables require cool and dry conditions
(35-40*F and 60-70% humidity)

Garlic
Onions
Green Soybeans

These vegetables require moderately warm and dry conditions
(50-60*F and 60-70% relative humidity)

Dry hot peppers
Pumpkins
Sweet Potatoes
Winter Squash
Green tomatoes (up to 70*F is OK)

[J. Smith]

HI Michelle,
Just what I needed to know!
Actually, I'm picking my winter squash now, and as I wasn't expecting them to start showing up so soon, I'm not sure what I should do with them in this hot weather. Could you give me some advice please?

[Michelle W. Flannery]

Hi J. Congratulations on your new harvest! I am assuming that your house is air conditioned when I say pick a cool room or closet in your house and store your squash there. Your a/c may be set at 75 or so, but there are usually cold spots here and there around a house. Find one that reads as cold as possible (for this time of year). If optimum storage for the squash is 50-60*F, then something between 60-70 would be acceptable for a while. Check around your home for a "cold spot" and store them there, hopefully in the dark. When the weather turns cooler and you turn the heat on, remember to move the squash to a new, cooler location. Once you store your squash, check them frequently (at least once a week) for signs of bruising and/or rotting so you can salvage as much as possible. Once one fruit starts rotting, it will quickly aid the rotting of nearby fruit.

In order to keep track of the humidity level, which is just as important as the temperature, consider purchasing a humidity instrument, available at a/c supply houses. Some are relatively inexpensive. Many are digital readout (just push a button), but those can develop a variety of problems. They require very specific care in order to get accurate readings, and some can be very expensive. I would much more recommend a sling psychrometer, also available in a/c supply houses. Bacharach cycometers are the best. It's a wet/dry system of reading humidity. You sling it around and then get the reading, which is always much more accurate than the modern types. It's a simple system that has been around for a couple of centuries, and it's so good it can be handed down for generations and still give an accurate reading. Go here to see a bacharach psychrometer.

Good luck!

[J. Smith]

Uh-oh, no A/C :(
And the temperature in these parts right now is as high as it gets (98 -100). We're in the process of heavy renovations though and hopefully we will soon be getting our double-flow ventilation system going (extracts and tempers before reinjecting) which might help with the humidity in our cooler rooms downstairs.
In the meantime I thank you for your response!

[Sheryl Stewart]

Hi Michelle

I was wondering if someone can tell me how to store potatoes, carrots and squash in my root cellar. I have never used one before but remember my Dad using sand in plastic containers for the carrots and wrapping the potatoes individually in newspaper and storing them in boxes. Can this be used. A friend of mine that has a farm has surprised me with a lot of each as a house warming present. I have them sitting in boxes in the root cellar right now. Thanks

[Joel LeGrand]

Hi shery,
The reason farmer put thing in the cellar was it stayed 55-60 degrees year around & a dry cool mostly. The best thing is to store any veggies where air can circulate. One way is to build a 2"x4" frame with cross runner every 24", you can cover the runner with ribbit mesh( 1/4 sq.) or chick wire so air can flow thought it. The frame can be 4'x8' if you donot put it aganist the wall, so you can reach it from all sides. But If you want aganist the wall, maybe attached to the wall, make it 2'x8' or 2'x4' so youcan reach the back of the wire shelf from one side. Just like a rised bed in the garden. The best thing is to get a copy of "The RootCellar" and read it from cover to cover. But you may need to lay your veggies out on newpaper on the cellar floor so they get air flow frist. Good Luck.

[Sheryl Stewart]

Hi Joel
I do have a root cellar that was built under the porch on the side of the house. It is the old stone and masonary footing of the house but has two grates on either end that can get closed off if needed. My son in law has built shelves on either end and the floor is poured concrete so someone did that after it was built. I will look for the book but I have not been able to find anything at the library or the book stores in town to help me learn what to put them in or how to protect them if it get too cold. Thanks so much.

[Joel LeGrand]

Hi Sheryl,
I am sorry, I helped at a friends wedding & was 1:00 am getting in and did not look the book up.
It is"Root Cellaring"by Mike & Nancy Bubel, Rodale press(ISBN 0-87857-277-5). My copy was copyright 1979. You can get it at some used bookstores or new from Rodale.

[Sheryl Stewart]

Hi Joel

Thanks so much. I will see if I can find one.