The Farm order

Tips for keeping your bulk order happy

ROOTS (beets, carrots, radish, rutabaga) like it cold and wet. 35 degrees and 95% humidity is optimal. Think fridge: in the crisper or the vented bags they come in.

ALLIUMS (garlic, shallots & onions) like it cold and dry. In the fridge in a paper bag is ideal. They can live out on your counter in the short term, but keep in mind they've been in cold storage on the farm, so they'll think it's spring and start to sprout if you keep them out.

SPUDS like it cold and dark; wet or dry. Most important thing is dark! Their skin turns green in exposure to light. If that happens, the green must be trimmed: it's mildly toxic. Fridge is best for long term if you have space, if not, try to find a place that is at least cool, like an unheated room, lower cabinet etc.

SQUASH like it warm and dry. 55 degrees is best. An old farmer friend would always store his crop under the bed in the guest room. We store ours in a dry basement. Countertop is ok, but generally too hot for long term. Under 50 degrees, squash cells start to degrade.

FLOUR is milled fresh to order and is totally amazing when it's super fresh. Try something simple like pancakes or biscuits when you get home and notice the difference! After a few days, the extra aroma and flavor wears off a bit, but the flour is still delicious and useable for 6 months. After that, the oils in the flour start to go rancid. Some folks freeze their flours as soon as they get home to preserve the freshness; just make sure it's airtight.

Other thoughts...

Feel like you don't have room in your fridge for all this bounty? Some customers try out root cellars, basements, garages, porches etc which can all work depending on the parameters. Just keep these veggie-specific tips in mind as you're finding niches throughout your home. And keep an eye on how stuff is keeping. Placing veg in coolers (ie on a porch) can help moderate temperature influxes. A cheap outdoor thermometer from the hardware store can help you assess your spot. Watch out for those 10 degree nights!

Don't store your roots in the same space as apples! This is crazy but very true: apples, and other fruits, release ethylene gas, a plant hormone, which causes root crops to sprout and turn bitter. We have friends who've lost entire carrot crops from this oversight. If they must share close quarters, keep one of the parties in an airtight plastic bag or tub.

Monitor! Eat your veggies! Resist the urge to squirrel everything away! Don't forget your squash in the spare room!

We are happy to go over any storage strategies for your situation. Let us know if you have questions.

Happy winter seasonal eating! Once you’re stocked up, your house can feel like a grocery store. Nothing like hunkering down for a nor'easter knowing you have everything you might want in the pantry. Enjoy!