The subtleties of storing garlic in a city apartment
It's no secret that in winter, vegetables and fruits become much more expensive, so you want to keep your harvest until spring. Previously, it was not worth thinking about how to store garlic in an apartment - it was too expensive and tricky business. But now storage of any vegetable, fruit or berry is quite possible in a city apartment. In this article, we will list everything you need to know about storing this vegetable in winter.
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General rules for storing garlic
To properly preserve garlic until spring, you should learn a few simple rules.
Select only whole bulbs. Even the smallest dent can cost you the loss of your entire stored crop. Thoroughly discard all bruised, rotten, cut, insect-eaten heads.
Maintain a stable air temperature. The maximum permissible temperature is +5 degrees, it is with this temperature that garlic will easily spend the winter in the refrigerator.
Humidity is the enemy of garlic. It helps to soften the cloves, which makes it difficult to keep the harvest until spring.
Insects have no place in the house. A great variety of harmful insects will not refuse to feast on fresh garlic. To prevent this, regularly process the areas where the garlic is stored.
Consequences of violation of storage rules
They insist on observance of the rules for a reason. If the storage of garlic is not carried out according to the rules, it will simply rot or mold. Agree, not the most pleasant fate for a lovingly grown crop. Therefore, in winter, it is very important to monitor the condition of the bulbs and the conditions under which they are stored.
High temperatures have a negative effect on the external and internal state of garlic cloves. They dry out, begin to wrinkle, wither, moreover, they lose all their useful properties and taste. Bulbs wrapped in polyethylene suffer from the greenhouse effect, quickly mold and start to rot. This is why it is so important to store them properly during the winter.
Collection
Different varieties and types of garlic are harvested at different times. The winter varieties planted in autumn ripen by mid-July, that is, earlier than anyone else. But at the same time, their storage is practically impossible - their keeping quality does not exceed 4-5 months. But the seed of them is one of the best. The same varieties that are planted in spring (spring) ripen in mid-August or early September. It is they who will survive the winter well if stored correctly.
Before digging out the crop, check if it is ripe: the leaves should turn yellow, the false stem should become soft, and the bulb itself should be firm when you scrape off the soil.
Wait for dry weather, in the early morning or late evening, arm yourself with a pitchfork and go to the garden. With a pitchfork, you need to carefully pry the bulbs, trying not to injure them or cut off the roots. The dug out bulbs should be cleaned of the ground and put under a shed or folded into bags and covered with plant tops, leaves, and a cloth. The main thing is not to leave them in the open sun, so that the fruits do not get sunburn.
The primary drying of the crop lasts a week, during which time the vegetative processes stop completely and the crop becomes suitable for harvesting for the winter. After the drying time has passed, trim the roots and stems.
Storage in the apartment
Make sure in advance that there is where to put the harvested crop.Storage in an apartment is not associated with any difficulties, but it is advisable to immediately determine where the best conditions are.
A glazed balcony, a pantry on the north side of the house, a freezer in the refrigerator will do. In general, any place where the air temperature is low and there is no dampness.
About room temperature
Storing garlic at room temperature is possible, but does not last long. The air temperature in the range from 17 to 25 degrees, which is considered to be room temperature, has a detrimental effect on the condition of the bulbs. After 3-4 days, the denticles become soft, lethargic, drying begins on the 5-6th day. The fact is that garlic is not able to retain moisture in the cloves for a long time, therefore, the increased air temperature leads to the fact that the moisture evaporates quickly, leaving only dried plant fibers.
Store garlic in the refrigerator
Refrigeration is a good way to keep garlic from wilting and give it a chance to "see" winter. A freezer or a compartment for vegetables is good for these purposes. Remember that the recommended storage temperature does not exceed +5 degrees Celsius. However, in the refrigerator, you can face another problem - humidity. Not keeping track of how humid it is in the refrigerator, for example, as a result of power outages, can irrevocably ruin your entire stored crop.
We store garlic in a jar
One of the most effective and at the same time original ways is to store garlic in a jar. To do this, you will need to peel all the heads from the husk, put the cloves in jars and shake them well. In the future, there are several options for how to preserve the cloves for the winter: cover with flour or salt, add oil, grind.
Banks must be sterilized and dried, otherwise the garlic will grow moldy. You can use any oil you like: vegetable, corn, olive. It will get a nice garlic flavor after you remove the cloves.
Cut the peeled cloves into thin slices for a garlic powder that keeps well in the jar. Then dry them in the oven for 10-15 minutes and grind them into a powder. The taste and smell will remain, and it will take up very little storage space.
Possible problems
Mold and rot are the most obvious problems when storing garlic at home. They occur when the air humidity and temperature rise, even if you store the food in the refrigerator. It also happens that the storage conditions are met to the smallest detail, but the garlic still dried out and deteriorated - this happens when the bulbs are not picked and absolutely everything is collected.
Remember that damaged bulbs deteriorate faster than others, creating an unfavorable storage environment for others.
Ventilate the area where you store the garlic heads in your apartment regularly. Musty air can also cause the development of fungal microflora, the harmful activity of which is manifested by mold and rot.