Year-Round Nutrition: The Best Crops to Grow for Long-Term Storage

Eating well long after the growing season is easy: Simply dedicate some space in the garden for produce that will last for months after harvesting.

Carrots, parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, and beets are cold-hardy crops that can overwinter in the ground in temperate climates. Art_Pictures/Shutterstock

We can extend the garden harvest’s lifespan through canning, fermenting, and dehydrating. But that’s a lot of work and potentially overwhelming, particularly if the harvest is abundant—which, of course, is the goal of a well-nurtured garden. We can also freeze the harvest to extend its viability for a few weeks, but chances are that freezer space is at a premium.

The solution is to take a page from our ancestors and grow some vegetables that are naturally inclined toward long-term storage.