While accessing fresh produce can be a challenge, especially without a refrigerator, there’s a solution that allows for year-round harvesting. Many plants can be grown specifically for storage, providing a reliable supply even in the dead of winter. This approach not only addresses the issue of lack of refrigeration but also offers benefits such as conserving space, time, and resources.
For those with a refrigerator, growing these storage crops is an efficient way to streamline your kitchen operations.
Why Might You Want to Grow Storage Plants?
Refrigeration is a modern convenience that many of us take for granted. However, our ancestors didn’t have the luxury of storing food in a fridge or freezer. Instead, they had to rely on creative methods to keep their vegetables fresh for months. This prompted them to develop unique techniques for storing certain vegetables, which allowed them to enjoy a steady supply of nutritious produce throughout the year.
While I’m not advocating for giving up refrigeration entirely (it’s hard to imagine life without it!), there are many benefits to growing plants that can be stored without the need for cold storage. Not only does it provide a reliable source of fresh food, but it also frees up valuable space in your fridge or freezer.
In my experience, I’ve found that growing storage vegetables is an efficient way to keep a steady supply of produce on hand, without having to invest in multiple freezers or refrigerators. Many of these plants are surprisingly easy to grow and can be a great addition to any survival garden.
Best Plants to Grow for Storage – Without relying on a Fridge
When it comes to storing produce without relying on refrigeration or freezers, having the right plants in your garden can be a game-changer. Here are some top picks that thrive in storing their bounty without the need for additional cooling methods.
Garlic
When it comes to growing garlic, there are two main types: hardneck and softneck. The choice between them often depends on your location and the climate you’re in. While softneck garlic tends to store better than its hardneck counterpart, hardneck is actually a more suitable option for areas with harsh winters.
One of the best things about growing garlic is that it’s typically planted in the fall, which means you won’t need to worry about storing it during the winter months – instead, you’ll be storing it through the summer. This can be especially helpful if you’re looking to free up some space in your pantry or root cellar. On average, garlic bulbs will keep for around 7 months when properly stored.
Carrots
While not all carrot varieties have an impressive shelf life, certain types such as Chantenay, Danvers, and Imperator are known for their ability to withstand storage well. To reap this benefit, it’s essential to sow the seeds at the right time – ideally towards the end of the growing season. This allows the carrots to mature around the same time as the first frost, which is often a signal to harvest them.
If you do decide to leave your carrot crop in the ground, be sure to pull them out before the temperature drops too low and the soil freezes solid.
Beets
When it comes to beets, their unique flavor is just one aspect that sets them apart from other root vegetables. However, what’s truly impressive is their ability to withstand the test of time. With proper harvesting, which involves waiting for the roots to reach 2-3 inches in diameter and retaining at least 2 inches of greens, beets can remain fresh for around four months without the need for refrigeration.
Potatoes
Potatoes have a remarkable reputation for longevity, with some varieties lasting an impressively long time without any special care. The key to extending their shelf life is selecting the right type of potato for storing, such as the ‘Kennebec’ variety, which is specifically bred for winter storage. In fact, most homegrown potatoes can last through the winter and into spring if stored properly.
To keep your potatoes fresh, they need to be placed in a cool, dark, dry, and well-ventilated location. Discard any cut, blemished, or damaged tubers, as they will not store well. With proper storage, you can expect your homegrown potatoes to remain fresh for 4-6 months.
Apples
When it comes to preserving fruits for long-term storage, there are plenty of options beyond vegetables. Heirloom apples, in particular, are a great choice. Among the many varieties, Pink Ladies, Honeycrisps, Fujis, and Rome Beauties offer an impressive shelf life. To ensure the best results, select only the freshest, most mature, and blemish-free apples for storage. Wrap each apple individually in newspaper and store them in a dedicated crate until you’re ready to enjoy them.
Pears
When seeking to diversify your dietary intake and require a fruit that maintains its freshness for an extended period, pears are an excellent option. To optimize storage life, it’s recommended to keep them in temperatures slightly below freezing, approximately 31°F (0°C). Under these conditions, pears can remain edible for up to three months, making them an ideal choice for meal planning and grocery shopping.
Turnips
When it comes to storing edible roots for a long period, the humble turnip is an excellent choice. With proper care, turnips can remain fresh for several months. To achieve this, simply trim off the tips of the roots to prevent moisture from being drawn out and store them in a cool, dark environment.
Winter Squash
Winter squash, though often underrated, deserves its moment in the sun – especially with the iconic pumpkin pie taking center stage at Thanksgiving gatherings. A key factor behind this popularity is the fact that winter squashes like pumpkins can last well into winter and even spring months. The storage potential of your winter squash relies heavily on the specific variety you choose to cultivate.
While both spaghetti and acorn squashes have a decent shelf life, butternut and Hubbard squashes are truly exceptional in their ability to store for extended periods. In general, the thicker the skin, the longer your squash will retain its freshness. Curing is an effective method for hardening the skin and ensuring optimal storage duration.
Onions
Onions are renowned for their remarkable storage capabilities. It’s likely that you’ve experienced this firsthand if you’ve had a bag of onions lingering on your countertop for several months. When it comes to storing onions, the key is to allow them to cure for a few weeks, ensuring the tops are completely dry. Once cured, trim all but 1 inch off the top of each onion and store the bulbs in breathable mesh bags. With proper storage, most onions can remain fresh for up to eight months.
Parsnips
While carrots may get most of the attention, their lesser-known cousin, the parsnip, is a versatile vegetable that can be easily stored. To get started, sow your parsnip seeds directly into the garden in early spring and wait until the first frost has passed to begin harvesting. With proper storage, you can enjoy these nutritious tubers for up to 5 months.
Broccoli and Cauliflower
Both broccoli and cauliflower can remain fresh for several weeks if stored properly, even without refrigeration. In fact, they thrive in cooler temperatures, making a root cellar an ideal storage spot. When selecting these cruciferous vegetables, opt for large, unblemished heads to ensure the best flavor and texture.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are another viable option for long-term storage, provided you handle them with care. Any damage or nick can quickly lead to rot, so it’s essential to harvest them gently. Once you’ve collected your sweet potatoes, curing them before storing will significantly extend their shelf life. This process involves providing a cool, dark environment that mimics the natural conditions they’d experience underground.
As a result, sweet potatoes can remain fresh for up to 4-6 months when stored properly.
Tomatillos
While tomatillos typically thrive in the refrigerator, they can also be successfully stored at room temperature for a duration of several days to a week. In fact, their shelf life may even extend beyond this period if they are not yet fully ripe upon bringing them inside.
Tomatoes
When it comes to storing tomatoes, many people assume they won’t last as long as other vegetables like carrots and potatoes. However, with proper storage, you can actually keep them fresh for several weeks longer than you might expect. To get the most out of your tomato supply, bring them in when they’re still green or just starting to ripen. Then, place them in a dark location where they can continue to mature.
Once they’ve reached full ripeness, you’ll have a steady supply that should last for at least two weeks.
Jerusalem Artichokes
While Jerusalem artichokes may not be a staple crop for many gardeners, they’re an excellent choice for those who want to reduce their reliance on refrigeration. These underground tubers can be stored in cool, humid conditions, ideally wrapped in sand or a similar medium, allowing them to remain fresh for 2-5 months.
Leeks
While sharing similarities with onions and garlic, leeks also exhibit remarkable storage capabilities. In fact, when kept in the refrigerator, they can remain fresh for as much as two weeks. Moreover, their long-term potential is even more impressive: stored in a root cellar, leeks can endure for up to four months, making them an excellent choice for those looking to preserve these versatile vegetables.
Brussels Sprouts
When it comes to preserving Brussels sprouts, many gardeners are unaware that these nutritious veggies can be stored in a root cellar just like some other vegetables. For the ultimate flavor experience, allow your Brussels sprout plants to receive several frosts before harvesting. Once they’re ready, you can hang them upside down in a well-ventilated root cellar, where they’ll remain fresh for several months.
Cabbage
When it comes to storing cabbage, many people don’t realize that certain varieties are specifically designed for long-term preservation. To find the right type, do some research on storage-specific options such as Brunswick, Storage No. 4, Late Flat Dutch, or Red Acre. In general, red cabbages tend to store better than their green counterparts. Before storing, choose heads that are firm and solid, then remove excess leaves around the head after pulling out the entire plant after the first frost.
Be sure to inspect for any unwanted bugs, but avoid washing or rinsing the plants in any way. It’s also a good idea to keep cabbage separate from other storage crops, as its strong scent can affect the flavor of fruits like pears and apples.
Rutabagas
The rutabaga, often overlooked and underappreciated, has seen its popularity wane due in part to the convenience of refrigeration allowing for more frequent consumption of other vegetables. However, this humble root vegetable still holds many advantages, including a long shelf life when stored properly. In fact, with proper care, rutabagas can be kept fresh for 3-4 months in a cool and humid environment, such as a root cellar.
This storage method is particularly effective if the rutabaga is placed in a bucket filled with damp sand, which maintains the ideal conditions of around 90% humidity and a cool temperature. This unique combination of nutrients and long shelf life make rutabagas an attractive option for those looking to add some variety and depth to their vegetable repertoire.
Dried Beans
Growing your own storage beans is a great way to enhance your food preservation skills. While it’s not possible to categorize all dried beans as one type of plant, cultivating bean varieties that are suitable for drying and planting them early in the spring can be a fantastic approach. This method allows you to take advantage of the long maturity period some beans have, which can range from 100 days or more.
By allowing your beans to dry on the vine, you’ll have the ability to store dried beans in jars for up to a year, providing a reliable source of non-perishable sustenance.
Winter Radishes
When it comes to storing radishes, many varieties can survive for several weeks. However, the winter radish stands out as a champion of longevity. When kept in a well-ventilated root cellar, winter radishes can astonishingly remain fresh for up to three months, making them an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy their harvest throughout the winter season.
Canning May Open Up Even More Possibilities
While the list above provides a solid foundation for growing a self-sustaining garden, there are many more possibilities when you combine the right tools and techniques. Having access to both water baths and pressure canners, along with the knowledge of how to use them effectively, unlocks even more options for preserving your harvest. With these methods at your disposal, you can preserve an incredible range of foods without relying on freezing or refrigeration.
Whether you’re preparing for a worst-case scenario or simply want to ensure that your fresh produce stays fresh and nutritious, incorporating storage crops into your garden rotation is a wise decision. Not only will this approach guarantee a steady supply of delicious meals, but it will also eliminate the worry of having to consume perishable produce before it goes bad.
