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It is possible to store daikon at home for a long time, even in a city apartment. It is important to follow the rules for harvesting an overall root crop and preparing for storage for the winter. Vegetables retain their beneficial properties better in cellars and cellars with high humidity or in the refrigerator.
When to remove the daikon from the garden in the fall
Japanese radish is a heat-loving crop. Therefore, all gardeners and summer residents should carefully monitor the long-term weather forecast, because only high-quality crops can be stored. With the threat of early frosts, the daikon is harvested even unripe according to the terms indicated on the package. Most of the varieties are root crops that protrude high above the soil surface and cannot tolerate temperatures below 0 ° C. Frost-affected specimens cannot be stored, they quickly deteriorate. Based on the weather in their area, everyone decides when to harvest vegetables: in September or October.
Non-bitter radish will taste better if fully ripened. This factor also affects the keeping quality. If the temperature drops too early and for a short time, a spunbond shelter is constructed for vegetables that will be stored in the winter. During the day, the material is removed so that the plant absorbs the heat of the sun.
Dig up daikon for storage in cool, dry weather. Deeply loosen the aisles so that the vegetables are easier to release from the soil. Root crops growing in a light and loose substrate freely come out of the ground if they are pulled by the tops and the top of the vegetable itself. First, they try, as it were, to swing it in the ground from side to side or clockwise. If the root gives in, apply more effort and pull it out of the nest. They dig in compacted soil with a pitchfork or a shovel so as not to damage the juicy and fragile structure of the pulp when pulled out.
When to clean the daikon in the suburbs
Sweet radishes in regions where temperatures drop early sometimes have to be dug up before they are fully ripe. But it is better to harvest the daikon a little smaller than the frost-affected. The roots will not be of the declared size, but if stored properly, they will lie for several months. Taste and useful qualities at the same time do not change radically. If the frosts are short-term, the bed is covered with agrotextile or a film with insulation.
Such copies cannot be stored. If the vegetables are not affected by rot, they can be used immediately in cooking.
Daikon storage rules for the winter
Good keeping quality of Japanese radish depends on the quality of harvesting. Dug out root crops, which will store for several months, are left for 4-5 hours in the garden so that the earth on the skin dries out. If the day is warm and sunny, the vegetables are transferred to a shady place for drying. Then the soil is gently shaken off, removed, but not with a sharp tool. It is better to wipe with a rag. The tops are cut off, leaving the tops up to 2,5 cm long. Root crops that meet the following requirements are stored:
- elastic, not sluggish – the density of the structure is felt;
- the skin is naturally white, greenish-cream in color, or tinged with pink in some varieties.
Instances with dark spots or mechanical damage are not suitable for long-term storage.
Vegetables should be immersed in the carrying container carefully to keep the flesh in good condition. Daikon for winter storage can not be washed. First, the root crops are put on overexposure for 2-3 days. During this period, hidden damage will appear. Such specimens are left to eat, they can lie for up to 3 weeks without major signs of spoilage. Japanese radish is placed:
- in basements;
- in cellars;
- on a warmed loggia or balcony;
- in a refrigerator.
How to store daikon for the winter in the cellar
The roots are placed in rows in boxes of sand or sawdust, which are moistened as they dry. Otherwise, these materials will draw moisture from the fruit. From time to time, when storing daikon in the cellar, root crops are reviewed and samples are selected for signs of rot so that they do not infect the rest of the crop. The boxes are covered with dense material so that there is air access. It is possible to qualitatively preserve the daikon for the winter in the cellar where the air humidity corresponds to 70-90%.
How to store daikon in the basement
Properly dug and dried root crops, whole and without damage, lie well in the basement. Japanese radish is stored together with beets and carrots, it is also possible in large boxes that are filled with sand. If possible, cover the boxes with moss. Good storage requires humidity of 70-90% and temperature not higher than + 5 °C. Sand is sprinkled if it dries up.
How to save daikon for the winter at home
In the absence of underground storages, Japanese radish is also placed in residential buildings, ordinary apartments, where there is a place with a temperature not higher than + 7 ° C. A few roots can be wrapped in plastic bags and placed on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator. Before big frosts, below -15 ° C, storing daikon for the winter at home is possible even in an unheated barn. The fruits are placed in a canvas bag or wrapped in cloth and placed in a box, which is covered with an old blanket.
In private residential buildings, closets are equipped without heating, in which vegetables and fruits are stored. Among them there is a place for a box with Japanese radish, which, with its vitamin composition, will support the family in late autumn and early winter.
How to store daikon in a city apartment
If there is a balcony or loggia, root crops are placed in these rooms, having organized good insulation of the boxes with the harvest. Store vegetables in a container for which they use felt or modern building insulation, or foam. Each root is carefully placed in a box, which is also carefully closed from above. Under such conditions, it is unlikely that it will be possible to keep the daikon for a long time in winter, but at temperatures down to -10 ° C, you can expect that the vegetables will not suffer. You can additionally protect the daikon from frost by wrapping each vegetable in foil, cling film or plastic wrap. For shelter use old winter things and blankets. With the onset of great frosts, the remaining root crops are transferred to the refrigerator. On an insulated balcony, they are subject to storage for a long time.
The vegetable is cut into circles and passed through the dryer. The finished product is stored in tightly closed glass jars. Used for soups.
How to store daikon in the refrigerator
If you are going to store the roots in a household refrigerator, they are also not washed. The Japanese radish is left for 4-5 hours to dry the earthy lumps, which are then shaken off by hand or wiped with a soft material. Prepared root crops are placed in perforated plastic bags to ensure air circulation.
Daikon can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months. The roots should be periodically removed from the bag and reviewed for signs of rot. The damaged copy is removed. Even spring planting daikon is stored in the refrigerator for a month or a half, although its flesh is usually softer in structure and more vulnerable.
Is it possible to freeze daikon for the winter
One way to prolong summer enjoyment by consuming sweet radish with beneficial properties is to quickly freeze the product. The method allows you to store daikon for the winter without significant loss of vitamins and valuable mineral elements.
How to freeze daikon for the winter
Root crops after defrosting slightly change their taste, suitable for use as a component of soups. In preparation for freezing, the best solution is to grate the radish. Some housewives advise cutting into small pieces. You can try both options if you wish.
Preparing to store daikon in the freezer:
- thoroughly wash the root crop;
- rinse under running water;
- cut off the petioles;
- dry the daikon before grinding;
- peel off the skin;
- grate into medium-sized fractions;
- Divide into portions in bags or small containers.
Daikon is laid out in small pieces, since it is impossible to re-freeze the product. With such storage, it will finally lose its useful properties.
Do I need to wash the daikon before storage
Before freezing, Japanese radish must be washed. When laying the roots for storage in the refrigerator, basement or on the balcony, they cannot be washed. Drops of water remaining after drying can cause the onset of rotting processes.
How long does daikon last
In a freezer with a temperature of -18 ° C, the shelf life of daikon is long – up to 10-12 months. In the refrigerator, the roots of Japanese radish lie without loss of taste, smell and beneficial properties for 2-3 months. The same period for storing root crops in the basement, cool closet or in foam-insulated boxes on the loggia, balcony.
Where is the best place to store daikon?
According to gardeners, the best option for storing Japanese radish is frost-proof rooms:
- insulated barn;
- cellar or basement with high humidity;
- household refrigerator.
Conclusion
Keeping daikon at home is easy. By following the rules of harvesting, in which the roots are not damaged, you can be sure that a fresh delicacy for a vitamin salad will appear on the table throughout not only the autumn, but also the winter months.
