Gardening Articles

Growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs, will eventually lead you to the wish to store some of them. Since much of your garden crops will become ready at the same time, in the summer and autumn, most of them will go to waste without proper storage. Storing your garden crops may also be a pleasant activity, especially it you are going to create your own by-products or some specific ingredients for later use in the kitchen.

Every crop needs a specific method of storing. Some of the methods are old, passed through many generations. Other methods are relatively new. If a crop can be stored by multiple methods, you will be able to choose the one that suit you best.

Choosing the proper method of storage is important to obtain good results, but you also need to harvest the crops that you are going to store, when they are in their peak condition, they are healthy, without any damage or sign of rot. You will have to handle the crops carefully to not bruise them. You will also need he know that some varieties store better than others.

Never store your crops near strong-smelling substances or hazardous chemicals and always label any stored produce with a description of contents and the date of preserving or storing. Check your stored produce regularly to remove any that is rotting. Only store crops that you and your family like to eat.

You should also take into consideration the fact that the best storage technique is to have them fresh. Thin means that you will have to extend the growing season as much as you can, using a greenhouse, a polytunnel or a cold-frame. This way you will be eating fresh produce for longer and you will also be able to grow a wider range of varieties.