It won't wilt by spring: Top 6 ways to store beets.

To ensure that beets last until spring, it is crucial to select ripe root vegetables and prepare them correctly. UNIAN explains how to extend their storage life in a cellar, apartment, on a balcony, and in the refrigerator.

There is an interesting life hack for storing beets for an extended period. Gardeners believe that treating them with wood ash or chalk powder beforehand can protect the vegetables from infections and rot. Regardless of where you store the root vegetables for the winter, additional treatment will definitely be beneficial.

Where to Store Beets

Storing Beets in a Cellar

The most common option is a cellar. Homeowners almost always have one, while residents of apartment buildings may have small cellars. To ensure beets last a long time in the cellar, they need to be prepared:

1. Sort through last year's supplies and discard any rotten ones, if present.
2. Check the storage area.
3. Sweep and disinfect with lime.

If your cellar lacks a floor, use crates and shelves. If there is no gap between the root vegetable and the ground, the vegetable may start to rot. The same applies to walls, which can sometimes develop condensation, so it's best not to place shelves directly against them.

Storing Beets in Sand

Regular sand is a natural adsorbent, so if you place beets in boxes with sand, they will definitely last until spring.

However, the sand must first be treated—sifted to remove debris and small leaves, and it’s also advisable to heat it for sterilization. Then, take a dry box, add a layer of sand, place a few root vegetables, and cover them with more sand. Repeat this process until you run out of vegetables and sand.

There is also an alternative option—using salt instead of sand, as it is also an excellent antiseptic and preservative, but this method is only suitable for a small quantity of beets; otherwise, it could become costly.

Storing Beets in Plastic Bags

This method is suitable for those with limited space in their cellar but many products. You need to take a regular bag, add a bit of mustard powder or sawdust, and place the beets inside. Tie the bag shut, make a few holes to prevent condensation from accumulating inside, which could cause the beets to rot. You can then store the root vegetables in the cellar, basement, or pantry.

How to Store Beets in an Apartment

If you don’t have a basement or cellar, you can still store beets at home. Even if you lack a pantry, you can designate a part of a room for this purpose. It’s advisable to place a shelf there, and store the root vegetables in boxes or bags on the lowest shelf. Ensure that the beets are not positioned near heating appliances.

How to Store Beets on a Balcony

It is important that the balcony is glazed and unheated—the temperature should be a maximum of 2 °C and never lower. To store beets on the balcony, you need to take a box, insulate it from the inside, and place the root vegetables inside.

Also, while there are no frosts, you can open the windows for ventilation at night. However, if it gets very cold, the box should be covered with a blanket, or the beets may freeze. Be sure to monitor that sunlight does not reach the beets.

Can Beets Be Stored in the Refrigerator?

You can also store beets in the refrigerator. The root vegetables should be washed, dried, and placed in the bottom trays (bins) of the refrigerator.

However, it’s important to remember that beets can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, and that is the maximum.