Beetroot, known to man for a long time, used mainly root vegetable, tops, as an additive to salads, are used much less frequently, only in the early stages of plant growth.
Exist three main types beets: table, sugar and fodder.
Below you will find a detailed turn on the cleaning and storage of beets.
Aft and sugar beet is grown on an industrial scaleThe first goes to feed livestock, the second is the raw material for the production of sugar. The table beet is eaten and grown not only by large farms, but also by gardeners. The plant is unpretentious, grows on many soils, gives a good harvest, most importantly save the roots for the winter.
Collection
In this section, you will learn when to clean up the beets for storage, because the correct cleaning of beets is a guarantee of its future preservation. When choosing beet varieties for planting, it is necessary to take into account the term of maturation and recommendations of breeders to the planting region of this variety.
The time of harvesting beets for storage for the winter depends on the weather, need to follow weather forecasters. The size of the fruits and their maturity can be determined visually, the lower leaves of the tops of mature plants turn yellow or dry. Another sign of ripening beets is the formation of growths on the leaves and fruits.
So when to dig up beets for storage? Start harvesting in Octoberit is better to do it in sunny, dry weather. At high humidity, the fruit will be saturated with moisture and will start to rot.
Harvesting of root crops should begin before the onset of frost, beets can not tolerate them, the fruits will crack, begin to rot. You can lose a significant part of the harvest and storage will be difficult. At the end of the harvest, beets are put in small piles near the garden bed.
Dig a beetroot with a pitchfork or shovel, hook the ground directly under the fruit and take out the tops, trying not to damage the fetus. The tops are trimmed or twisted, leaving a few millimeters. This will prevent spring germination. and stop the loss of fruit juice during storage.
Then you need to clean the beets from the ground, do it best with gloves or a prepared rag, do not forget to remove the side roots. Dug beets can not be thrown on the ground, clearing, it is necessary to refrain from tapping the fruits against each other, while they can get damaged.
Beets can not be washed. The fruits are ready to dry in dry weather., it can be carried out directly on the ground and the process itself will not take much time, just a few hours. In wet weather, it is necessary to dry the beets or under a canopy or in a special room.
Moon calendar
According to the lunar calendar, beets should be removed at a time when the moon is in the last quarter, the fruits will be stored well and will not lose their taste for a long time.
The cultivation, harvesting and storage of beets and carrots have much in common, but there are differences. Carrots are more frost-resistant, later beets are harvested, they are more sensitive to sudden temperature changes, it begins to crack, which is the cause of fungal diseases of the fruit and reduces its shelf life.
Home storage
The most favorable conditions for the storage of beets, temperature from +2 to -1 degrees Celsius, with about 90% humidity. Storage of beets in the cellar is ideal for these conditions..
In the absence of a cellar or a balcony You can choose other ways to store beets..
Fruit freeze in the refrigerator or freezer. Frozen beets retain most of the beneficial properties. Before freezing, wash the beets well, then dry. You can freeze and boiled beets.
Thus, beet harvesting and storage for the winter can occur in several ways and you can choose the most convenient option for yourself.
Drying beets for the winter. Before drying, beets must be processed, washed cut off the roots and the head. The drying process takes several hours.
Marinating beets. Before pickling the beets are processed, salt and sugar are added. The main preservative is vinegar.
Dried beets. Fruits are treated and stewed in the oven to a semi-mild state.
Conclusion
Beet has medicinal properties, helps against obesity, with liver diseases, hypertension, improves the blood supply to the body.
It is impossible to imagine Russian cuisine without appetizing borscht, vinaigrette, herring under a fur coat. The gardener knows beets will thank for the work invested. Now you know about how the harvesting and storage of beets, as well as that this vegetable is just a storehouse of nutrients.
Useful video!
A brief training video will help to visually answer the question: "When and how to properly remove the beets from the beds?".
