Turnip harvest should be delayed until the first frost.
Turnips and other root vegetables store well at temperatures near freezing, particularly in high humidity. Before storing your turnip harvest, brush off any dirt and examine all the vegetables for blemishes and signs of rot. Discard any that are damaged, because healthy turnips can start to rot when stored with rotting vegetables. Even if you do not have a root cellar, you can still store turnips for 3 to 4 months by burying them in the ground. Storing them inside a buried storage container, such as a new trash can, can prevent rodent entry. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Sterilize a 20-gallon trash can or a similar storage container. The container should have a lid and 2 to 3 holes in the bottom for drainage.
2. Dig a hole in the ground that is 2 to 4 inches deeper than the storage container and about 1 to 2 inches wider.
3. Insert the storage container into the hole in the ground.
4. Place a 2- to 3-inch layer of straw on the bottom of the container to protect the turnips.
5. Layer your turnips in the container on top of the straw. Add about 1 inch of additional straw on top of the first layer of turnips. Continue layering additional turnips and straw.
6. Place the lid on the storage container, but do not secure it tightly. Leave it slightly askew to allow air circulation.
7. Pile 1 to 3 feet of straw on top of and around the lid for insulation.
Tags: storage container, hole ground