Storing Root Crops in the Fall

[bj taylor]

my soil temp in my raised bed is hovering around 95 right now. I realize a raised bed is very different - but hot is hot

 

[baymule]

BJ, you and I need to each do an experimental clamp this coming fall. We could post a thread about it and chronicle our success or failure. I'm sure we could get Steve to help us out and provide us with his expertise!

 

[digitS']

Well, I may have found somethings that might or might not encourage you to try:

West Texas soil temperatures on 12/08/2011 Why that date is because the WayBack Machine doesn't send its robot around to record websites just when we want it to :/. It is wonderful that it does get a few snapshots of things.

Anyway, the temperatures there around in west Texas are generally in the 30's and 40's, depending on depth and soil covering, warmer in bare soil, cooler under grass sod.

But, I don't believe that either of you are in west Texas . . . so, here is the year at a place called Prairie Station in east Texas: USDA, click on Calendar Year, View Current.

We see there the temperatures at various depths in January along the right side and it kind of looks like 15Celsius is about what could be expected. 15C = 59F! That's warm! Shoot, everything would be off and growing at that temperature!

Steve

 

[baymule]

We see there the temperatures at various depths in January along the right side and it kind of looks like 15Celsius is about what could be expected. 15C = 59F! That's warm! Shoot, everything would be off and growing at that temperature!

Steve

Yeah, trying to "store" anything in the ground would only be planting it. :/

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

i know there is a book i've seen for sale showing the many different ways that are good for storing veggies. it is easier in the Northern areas with our long cold winters. but i'm sure there have been methods suggested for use in southern states with warmer winters than we get. have you thought about checking the local AG or coop extension services?

heh, in looking up some sites on veggie storage i happen to come across BetterHens&Garden's site! did she post a link to this before on here? this is mostly a list of the temps and humidity you're looking to store the stuff in. http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2011/11/02/long-term-winter-vegetable-storage/

here's one site that may be useful for southern gardeners. it suggests using a mound method where the winters are shorter http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/garden/07601.html