Storage Crops

You can grow vegetables in the summer that will last all winter. Choose varieties that were developed for storage, and are well suited for your growing region. If you cannot grow your own, consider purchasing some of these in bulk from local growers to save money.

A freezer full of protein and a pantry full of storage crops is a wonderful feeling. Start small and allow yourself to make mistakes and learn as you go.

This is squash I harvested in October and stored all winter in the basement. We cooked the last of it in April.

Squash

Winter squash is one of my favorite crops to grow. They are beautiful, nutritious, store well, and come in a wide range of flavors. Choose varieties based on flavor (mild, sweet, dry, etc), length of growing season, and storage time.

For the Worland area, I like varieties that mature within 100 days. I plant most of them outside directly from seed. Some of my favorites are Kabocha, Sibley, Black Futsu, and Delicata.

Onions

For Northern climates, choose short day varieties. Yellow onions store longer than white onions. Shallots are also a good storage crop. Onions grown from seedlings will generally grow bigger than onions grown from sets. d

Garlic

Garlic is best planted in the fall for a midsummer harvest. However, it can be planted in early spring for a late summer harvest. For storage, choose soft-neck varieties - some can last up to a year. Garlic is one of the easiest crops to save for seed.

Potatoes

Don't settle for just russet and yukon gold! There are so many wonderful varieties of potatoes. Some are best for baking, some for mashing, and others for fries for chips. You can also choose varieties based on days to maturity (early, mid, or late season).

Potatoes can be left in the soil until the ground freezes, then they need to be harvested and kept in a cool, dark location with good ventilation.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet Potatoes are typically grown in warmer climates (ie, not Wyoming). However, here are two varieties to try that are adapted to northern climates: Georgia Jet and Covington.

Carrots and Beets

These root crops can be stored in the refrigerator for months after harvest. We were eating carrots in March that had been grown the previous summer. This works great if you have an extra fridge. Again, choose varieties that have been developed for storage.