prepared by James D. Utzinger , Extension Horticulturist
Ohio State University
Reprinted from Landscape Facts, Cooperative Extension Service, 1969
Successful Crop Storage Extends the Value of the Family Garden
In addition to canning and freezing, mature vegetables can be saved for "out of season" use by proper storage. Depending upon the commodities involved, surplus garden vegetables may be kept in a useable condition for several months if carefully harvested at the proper stage of maturity and stored at the recommended temperature and relative humidity. Horticulture commodities such as potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, cabbage, onions, and winter squash may be available for family meals for several weeks after the killing frosts have stopped the growth of garden plants. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, snap beans, and muskmelon may also be kept for a brief period if proper storage temperatures and relative humidities are maintained.
Some vegetables are Subject to Chilling Injury.
Horticultural commodities of tropical and subtropical origin are generally susceptible to chilling injury. Such crops include beans, cucumbers, eggplant, tomato and others. Chilling may occur in commodities stored at room temperatures considerably above the freezing point. Chilling injury interferes with the ripening process in crops such as tomatoes. The symptoms of chilling injury are numerous circular dark pits on the surface of the commodity. In severe cases, several pits combine to form large irregular sunken areas. Chilling injury is usually a result of prolonged exposure to low but not freezing temperatures. Chilling temperatures can and do occur in the fall garden. Vegetables are subject to chilling injury and the conditions under which chilling injury can occur are given in Table 1 below. Columns 3 and 4 of the table indicate the recommended storage conditions to avoid chilling injury and obtain maximum post harvest life.
Table 1- HorticulturalCommodities Subject to Chilling Injury
Commodity Garden or Storage Recommended Storage Conditions Normal
Temperatures Temperatures/Relative Humidity Storage Life
To Chilling Injury (degrees F) (96) (days)
Beans, snap Below 40F for 3 days 40-45 90-95 7
Cucumbers Below 45F for 2 days 45-50 90-95 10-14
Eggplant 40F and below 4-8 days 45-50 90 7
Muskmelon 32-34 for 14 days 36-40 90 15
(3/4 to full slip stage)
