Humidity in Root Cellar

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) Preparation Forum : One Thread

Our root cellar has high humidity - between 80-90%. We are storing apples, various types of squash, onions, potatoes and live in northern ny. Someone suggested putting a de-humidifier in there to lower the humidity.

Any suggestions if this is a good idea? I understand that some vegetables 'like' humidity.

-- lou (lanny1@ix.netcom.com), December 01, 1999

Answers

I don't have my book in front of me, so this is off the cuff.

Most root crops (potatoes, carrots, beets, turnips, etc) and celery want a high humidity, so keep it the way it is.

Squash, onions, garlic, etc do not so You'll probably want to store them in a separate place.

The book we use is "Root Cellaring". I think we got it through Amazon.

-- Tim Jacob (tjacob@nb.aibn.com), December 01, 1999.


Most vegetables need high humidity for long term storage. 90-98%. See the following site:

http://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/Produce/ Storage/index.html

Download the .pdf file. It's excellent. Also, you need to get rid of the ethyelene gas produced. Potassium Permangenate will absorb the gas.

Bob, Ph.D.

-- bob (janebob99@aol.com), December 01, 1999.


Moderation questions? read the FAQ