7 Durable Storage Totes For Root Vegetables Old Farmers Swear By
Explore 7 durable totes for root vegetables, from classic crates to modern bins. Learn the time-tested storage methods that farmers swear by for freshness.
You’ve spent months tending your garden, and now the harvest is in. The wheelbarrow is overflowing with potatoes, carrots, and beets, their earthy scent filling the crisp autumn air. The real work, however, is just beginning: figuring out how to store it all so it lasts through the winter. The wrong container can turn a beautiful harvest into a pile of rot and regret by Christmas.
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The Classic Wooden Bushel Crate for Airflow
There’s a reason you still see wooden crates on old farms. Wood breathes, and the slatted design of a classic bushel crate allows for fantastic air circulation. This is non-negotiable for curing and storing crops like onions, garlic, and potatoes, as it helps prevent the moisture buildup that leads to mold and rot.
These crates are sturdy and can hold a surprising amount of weight. They look the part, too, adding a rustic, traditional feel to your root cellar or pantry. Just remember, wood can absorb moisture from a damp concrete floor, so it’s wise to set them up on blocks or pallets. They’re not rodent-proof, but for sheer airflow, they are hard to beat.
Rubbermaid Brute Totes: Indestructible Choice
Move and store items easily with the durable Rubbermaid Brute Tote. Its secure lid keeps contents safe, while ergonomic handles reduce strain during transport.
Sometimes, the best tool for the farm comes from the hardware store. Rubbermaid Brute totes are legendary for their durability; you can stack them high, drag them across concrete, and they won’t crack or complain. This makes them a fantastic choice for protecting your harvest from pests and moisture in a garage or shed.
The obvious downside is that a solid plastic tote has zero ventilation. But that’s an easy fix. Take a drill with a half-inch bit and create your own ventilation holes along the upper sides of the tote. This gives you the best of both worlds: the indestructibility and pest-resistance of modern plastic with the necessary airflow for root vegetables. It’s a simple modification that turns a general-purpose container into a perfect, long-term storage solution.
Behrens Galvanized Steel Tubs for Longevity
If you want a storage solution that will outlast you, get galvanized steel. These tubs are completely rodent-proof, waterproof, and will not break down over time. They are the perfect fortress for your valuable root crops, especially in an old barn or cellar where mice are a constant concern.
The main tradeoff is weight and a lack of easy stackability. A large tub full of potatoes is a two-person job to move. Because of this, they work best as stationary bulk storage on the floor. The metal also gets very cold, which is excellent for keeping vegetables dormant, but be mindful of placing them where they could freeze solid in an unheated outbuilding.
Akro-Mils Shelf Bins for Organized Storage
Organize your space with durable Akro-Mils shelf bins, perfect for garages, closets, and shelves. The lip design allows for easy, spill-free retrieval, and optional accessories let you customize your storage.
For the farmer who loves a tidy pantry, open-front shelf bins are a game-changer. Instead of digging through one giant crate, you can separate your harvest by type or variety. Keep your Kennebec potatoes separate from your Red Norlands, or your yellow onions from your shallots.
These bins make it incredibly easy to see what you have and practice a "first in, first out" system, reducing waste. You just reach in and grab what you need without unstacking anything. Their open design means they aren’t ideal for potatoes, which need darkness to prevent greening, but they are absolutely perfect for organizing onions, garlic, and winter squash on a sturdy shelving unit.
Modesto Stacking Crates for Vertical Space
When floor space is at a premium, you have to build up. Modesto-style crates are lightweight, plastic, and designed to interlock for safe, stable stacking. Their heavily ventilated design provides airflow from every direction, which is fantastic for curing and long-term storage.
Think of these as the modern, more practical version of the wooden crate. They won’t rot or splinter in a damp environment, and you can easily hose them down for cleaning at the end of the season. While not as heavy-duty as a Brute tote, they are more than strong enough for a hobby-scale harvest and are unmatched for maximizing storage in a small closet, pantry, or shed.
Hutzler Garden Colander: The Modern Harvest Hod
Not all storage needs to be for the long haul. Sometimes you just need to hold a week’s worth of new potatoes or carrots. The Hutzler Garden Colander, or a similar modern "hod," is a brilliant multi-purpose tool for this.
You can take it right into the garden for harvesting, then use a hose to rinse the dirt off your vegetables right in the colander. The holes allow them to drain and air dry quickly. Then, you can carry the whole thing into the kitchen or pantry. It’s not for overwintering 50 pounds of potatoes, but for managing the "what’s for dinner this week" portion of your harvest, its efficiency is unbeatable.
Jute Burlap Sacks: The Old-School Method
Don’t dismiss the simple burlap sack. This traditional method works because it nails two of the most important storage principles for potatoes: it breathes, and it blocks light completely. Preventing light exposure is critical for stopping potatoes from turning green and developing solanine.
Burlap sacks are cheap, reusable, and allow excellent air exchange, preventing condensation and rot. However, they offer zero protection from rodents and will wick moisture if set directly on a damp floor. Use them in a secure, dry location, perhaps inside a larger rodent-proof container or hung from the rafters of a root cellar.
Packing in Sand: The Ultimate Preservation Tip
This last one isn’t a container, but a technique that makes any container better for certain crops. For root vegetables that shrivel easily—like carrots, beets, and parsnips—packing them in damp sand is a preservation miracle. The sand provides the cool, humid environment they need to stay crisp and fresh for months.
Get a deep crate or a Brute tote (without holes this time) and layer the vegetables with sand, making sure none of them are touching each other. The sand shouldn’t be dripping wet, just damp enough to feel like a wrung-out sponge. This method mimics the conditions of being in the earth and is the single best way to keep your carrots as crisp in February as they were in October.
Ultimately, the best storage container is the one that fits your space, your harvest, and your climate. Don’t be afraid to mix and match these methods—use steel tubs for bulk potatoes, stacking crates for onions, and a bucket of sand for your prized carrots. The goal is to enjoy the fruits of your labor long after the growing season has ended.
