Easiest Home Grown Groceries for Storage

 Recent price increases at the grocery store have many people contemplating growing their own food to off set costs. Here in zone 6b, I can reliably have fresh food in the garden from June till, well, about now. However, if you want to grow food for winter, then you're looking at food preservation. Normally, this brings to mind either a large freezer or shelves of home canned food. However, there are several kinds of food you can store for months without a freezer or a canner or even a dehydrator. So if you want to start preserving your own food next year, here is the best place to start. 

Trail of Tears Black Beans

First: The Allium Family

Alliums are all kinds of onions: green onions, bunching onions, leeks, garlic, shallots etc. I've had great success with storing onions and garlic by just curing them (brushing the dirt off of them and hanging them to dry for a few weeks out of the sun) and keeping them in the basement. So easy. This year I learned that leeks can be harvested in the fall, sliced at about a quarter inch thick and then air dried. Again, so easy. Now I have lots of onions in storage. 

Second: Dried Beans

Admittedly, this is our first year growing dried beans but we are hooked. My husband grew Trail Of Tears black beans and really enjoyed the experience as well as gathering a considerable harvest. Shelling the beans takes time but you can always do it while watching tv and then they store in the basement for months. It's so simple. 

Third: Winter Squash

Pie pumpkins of all kinds, as well as any kind of winter squash (butternut, acorn, turks turban, etc...) just need to be cured out in the sun for a few weeks before placing them in storage. So yummy! Many will keep for months in the basement. 

Fourth: Herbs

So admittedly, this one isn't as impressive but many herbs such as thyme, oregano, dill and chamomile will air dry on their own and add flavor to your food all winter. 

Fifth: Potatoes

Pumpkins store well. 

So, I've not grown a lot of potatoes as an adult due to lack of space although I have plans for next year. However, growing up, we would save a large bin of potatoes in the basement for months enjoying them most of the winter. 

The most important thing with all of these vegetables is to keep them in  a dark cool place with NO WATER. Water will cause molding quickly so dryness is key. That's it really. You can absolutely do this yourself. 

Do you grow food for storage? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below!