Wooden garages are good for more than just storing a car. An increasing number of people are choosing to take their garage and turn it into a more functional space, using it for many different reasons, sometimes in addition to storing a vehicle. With the accessibility of double-wide or larger wooden garages, this is a trend that is sure to continue.
One way you can use your wooden garage is as a storage area, especially for your garden. While tools are one item to store there, why not store excess produce from your garden as well? A fruitful harvest from a mature garden can produce hundreds of fruits and vegetables per season. The average family can’t eat that much, so having a place to put it all is crucial.
Here are some things you need to know about product storage in a wood garage.
Fruits and vegetables that can be stored as they are in your wooden garage
Some products are harder than others and more resistant to rot. That means they can be kept as-is for long periods of time, though you’ll eventually have to eat them or prepare them for longer storage.
Tubers are one option. This includes potatoes, carrots, onions, beets, ginger root…anything that grows underground. Potatoes, pumpkins, and other squashes are also very easy to store. They can last for months in dry, cool conditions. While a basement is often preferable, you can achieve the same effect by placing them in a breathable container such as a wooden box and covering them with a heavy cloth to keep out light.
Fruits are harder, but apples in particular can last for several weeks just as well.
When you first store your products this way, be sure to do a few things first:
- Don’t wash your products. Dirt actually helps keep it looking good longer.
- Watch for any signs of rot or damage. This causes one to break down, which will spread to others in the lot.
- Regularly monitor for signs of rot, bruising, or pests and remove promptly.
- Separate your products by type. Some products can cause certain gases that will putrefy others more quickly. So keep each type of vegetable or fruit in its own container.
- Consider buying a hygrometer. This will measure the moisture in your wood garage. The higher the humidity, the faster it will rot.
Fruits and vegetables that can be canned and stored in your wooden garage
For those who are not as suited to dry storage, there is the option of canning. This is when you pickle or store a fruit or vegetable in a liquid, or turn it into other foods like jams or soups. The easiest way to can is by using a pressure cooker, which seals the lids of mason jars tightly to prevent bacteria from getting into the cans while they are stored and spoiling the food inside.
If you don’t have a pressure cooker, it’s still possible to seal jars properly. You just need a rack and a large pot. Place the rack in the pot, place the jars with their lids on tightly, and fill with water until two inches of the jars are submerged. Bring to a boil and let continue to boil for ten to fifteen minutes. Carefully remove them and place them on a towel, leaving them alone for twenty-four hours. When the jar has a dent in the lid, you know it has been sealed.
Once you’ve canned your product, you can place it on a shelf in your wooden garage. It should be good for up to eighteen months, but be sure to check the caps for nicks before use. No indentation means the seal has been broken and it is not safe to eat.
Fruits and vegetables that can be stored in a freezer in your wooden garage
Canning not your thing? Your wooden garage is a great place for a freezer, which can be used for a number of different foods. Vegetables and fruits are great to freeze because then they are ready to grab and use for a meal at any time, no matter how busy you are. Or they can be thawed for a later snack, added to a smoothie… anything you need.
Fruits and vegetables hold their nutritional value just as well frozen as fresh. But to get the most out of them you should freeze them at their peak. Sort out any rotten or bruised produce and wash it well. Blanching them with salt water will help them better retain their flavor and texture when thawed. You can also store some in a sugar base, like berries and apples.
Once frozen, the products can last up to eighteen months before they begin to lose their flavor or texture. But the fruit in particular is soft enough that it’s best eaten before it’s completely thawed, which will prevent it from losing some of its firmness.
Wood garages hold their temperature better than other styles due to the natural breathability qualities of wood. So it’s an amazing place to keep a freezer or even two, without over freezing.
Consider purchasing Energy Star-qualified appliances for this purpose, which will save you money on your energy bill and is better for the environment.
Preparing your wooden garage
Some other ways to prepare your wooden garage to store products from your garden:
- Make sure it is free from all pests that may threaten your vegetables and fruits. Get rid of spiders, moths, flies, rodents, etc.
- Clean every corner. You don’t want cobwebs, dirt, or dust, so keep your wood garage neat and clean.
- Set up plenty of shelf space. Shelves are awesome for canned goods. Make sure you have enough shelves to keep food separate from non-food.
- Check your garage for damage regularly. Wood warping, cracks, holes, and seal breaks can lead to problems, including threats to your products.
