An article titled "Storing Vegetables" carried in the Grande Prairie Herald on October 5, 1920 advised homesteaders in Alberta on the best way to store their vegetable crops. At that time pioneers on the northern frontier often took four hours to get to the nearest grocery store. During the winter months they might not be able to make it into town at all.
Information about storing vegetables from their gardens was crucial for the survival of the new comers, especially those who came from city backgrounds. The principles and methods described in the old article still have contemporary relevance for any successful gardener faced with the problem of how to store an bounty of fresh vegetables.
Potato Rot Caused By Dampness
Potatoes were the biggest and most essential crop on most homesteads. But they tended to go mushy and rot easily. According to the article the main culprit was moisture. And the way to prevent moisture problems was to make sure the potatoes were loosely packed. It said, "In order that the surface of the potatoes can be kept dry and in the best condition to avoid rotting, provision should be made for air to pass underneath and through them."
Other vegetables that were usually stored in the cellar alongside potatoes actually benefited from a little moisture.
- Beets
- Parsnips
- Carrots
- Salsify
- Turnips
Homesteaders were advised to create a different microclimate for storing those other root vegetables. "Indeed in the average cellar they are liable to become too dry and lose their firmness. If there is danger of this they may be kept in boxes and covered with a sack kept wet in a warm cellar."
Cabbage Keeps Best if Left in the Ground
Sometimes the most efficient way to store vegetables was to let them keep growing. Cabbage did best if it was simply left outside in the garden. During an unusually warm spell the cabbage heads might grow too big and start to crack. In that case the article advised, "If they begin to crack before it is time to pull them, loosen them in the ground by twisting the plant and thus checking growth. "
When hard frost finally forced the homesteaders to bring their cabbages inside, pioneers were advised to pull the whole plant out of the ground rather than cut the cabbage head off the plant. The article explained, "They keep better with the roots and stems left on, and wrapping each head in a newspaper will prevent wilting to some extent."
Historic Techniques for Gardeners Still Apply Today
Although the vegetable storage tips were originally written for inexperienced northern homesteaders in 1920, the tips and tricks are still useful at a time when gardening is enjoying a resurgence in popularity and successful new gardeners are faced with the problem of how to store their home grown vegetables. Images for this article were provided by the South Peace Regional Archives. Material for this article was provided by the Isabel Campbell Collection which is housed in the Grande Prairie Public Library.
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