How should Chinese cabbage be stored in winter? A detailed guide to the latest methods
Cabbage is one of the most widely eaten vegetables in our daily lives. It has a very large planting area in our country, and the yield of Chinese cabbage is very high. Therefore, after the Chinese cabbage harvest, if it cannot all be brought to market in time, then the storage work is very important. This is especially true in winter. So how should Chinese cabbage be stored in winter? Today the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look below!
1. Outdoor storage
For outdoor storage, we first need to dry the Chinese cabbage for about three days when harvesting it. This is done when the outer leaves of the Chinese cabbage gradually wilt and are no longer easy to break. Then pile it outdoors, and the temperature should be kept at around zero degrees. If the temperature is below minus five degrees, then an appropriate amount of cold-proof material, such as straw, should be added on top. When piling, a layer of wooden boards should be laid on the ground. Then place the leaf heads facing outward and the roots facing inward, piling them tightly. In the early stage, turn them once a week. Remove the rotten leaves and pick out diseased plants to avoid rot. If the temperature is too low, such as in most northern regions, then outdoor storage is not suitable.
2. Cellar storage
Compared with outdoor storage, cellar storage means we do not need to worry about the temperature problem. However, just like outdoor storage, we first need to put the cabbage outdoors to dry for about three days, and then remove the yellow and rotten leaves from the cabbage. Then place them neatly in rows in the cellar, with the roots facing down, using a stacking method of one row of cabbage and one row of soil, until stacking is complete. Then seal the cellar entrance tightly to prevent living creatures from getting in and biting the cabbage, which would reduce its storage quality.
3. Burial storage
Burial storage is also a relatively common method of storing Chinese cabbage in winter. Before burying, first dig the burial trench, and the cabbage also needs to be dried. Then place the dried cabbage with trimmed roots upright into the burial trench. After filling it, spread a layer of cabbage leaves or straw over the cabbage. Then, as the temperature drops, an appropriate amount of soil can be added over the covering to keep it warm. The thickness of the soil covering should be determined according to the region and changes in temperature. The main goal is to ensure that the soil covering will not freeze through in winter. However, because it is buried in a trench, checking is more troublesome, and it will also be affected by ground temperature.
4. Cold storage
Cold storage can effectively control the storage environment, but compared with the above three methods, the cost is also higher. Cold storage can improve efficiency, and it is carried out by the method of loading into baskets and stacking. When entering the cold storage, it should be done in batches to avoid a sudden rise in temperature that would reduce storage quality. Sufficient gaps should be kept between each basket and each stack to make checking during storage easier. About every three weeks, the cabbage should be turned once. If the warehouse temperature is regulated by this method, long-term storage can be achieved. Although the cost is relatively high, the storage effect is good and it is simple to operate.
The above is a brief introduction to how Chinese cabbage should be stored in winter. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and we hope it can help everyone!