Garden Vegetables - Hints and Tips on Root Crops and Pumpkins

Root Crop Storage

Storage pits for root crops14 may be made in many ways. When placed on level ground always raise the level of the pit a few inches above the surrounding ground by throwing the earth dug from a trench around the area to be occupied by the roots to be stored. This will assure good drainage. On this raised earth place a 6" or 8" layer of straw or dry fallen leaves.

Next, make a conical pile of roots-potatoes, turnips, beets, carrots, etc.-and cover it with a 4" to 6" layer of straw and then a 2" layer of soil. But at the apex leave an opening partly filled with straw for ventilation until cold weather sets in when a second earth layer will be necessary to add. In a cold climate this layer may have to be 5" or 6" thick; in a mild one, less.

Keep the ventilator covered with an A-shaped board trough or something similar to prevent the en- trance of rain but not to check the egress of warm, moist air from inside. Finally, cover the earth with manure or litter 6" or 8" thick, and completely plug the ventilator. Avoid making the pile larger than can be used at one time because it is almost impossible to close a pit satisfactorily .after the ground has once been frozen.