How to Grow Vegetables for Storage

One huge draw to grow a garden is to enjoy fresh produce straight from your backyard. What if we told you that the fresh garden flavor can be enjoyed deep into winter as well?! It's true, by growing crops that store well or by using preservation methods such as drying and canning, many garden harvests can last for months, even years in your pantry! 

Today we are deep diving into which plants and varieties can be grown throughout the season to enjoy well after you close the garden gates for the season. With a little bit of planning, you can easily grow storage crops. 

Winter Squash & Pumpkins

Winter squash and pumpkins are some of the easiest storage crops to grow and can store as long as the following spring after harvest. Start them in late spring or early summer, and harvest in the fall once the fruits are fully mature. After harvesting, cure them for a few weeks in a warm, well-ventilated area—this drying process helps toughen their skins and extend their shelf life. When cured properly, many varieties will store for 2-8 months, providing delicious meals well into winter.

Some of our favorite varieties include Black Futsu, a richly flavored heirloom Japanese pumpkin, Long Island Cheese Pumpkin, known for its smooth flesh and pie-perfect shape, and Cornell’s Bush Delicata, a compact plant that produces sweet, nutty squash.

Dried Beans

Shelling beans are an easy and rewarding crop to grow, plus, they can last 2-5 years when stored properly! With relatively short days to maturity, many varieties can be sown as late as July and still produce a harvest. While some can be enjoyed fresh, leaving the pods to dry on the vine yields the best results for long-term storage. Once fully dry, simply shell the beans (it’s surprisingly satisfying!) and store them in a mason jar to enjoy all winter long. Growing your own gives you a whole new appreciation for beans.

Some of our favorite varieties include Black Turtle Bean, a flavorful and versatile black bean; Jacob’s Cattle Bean, known for its beautiful speckled pattern and creamy texture; and Robert Hazlewood Dry Bean, a hard-to-find half-runner variety with excellent flavor and performance.

Garlic, Shallots, & Onions

Who doesn’t love alliums? Garlic, shallots, and onions are kitchen staples—and many varieties can be grown specifically for long-term storage, letting you enjoy their flavor for months after harvest.

For storage garlic, we recommend softneck types like Early Red Italian, known for its excellent shelf life. Dutch Red Shallots are another favorite—they store for a year or more and can be planted in either spring or fall. When it comes to onions, starting early is key. Try Ailsa Craig or Clear Dawn, both reliable choices for storage, lasting anywhere from 2-4 months. 

As with most storage crops, proper curing is essential. A little patience after harvest goes a long way toward preserving your alliums through the seasons.

Potatoes

Potatoes are a versatile and delicious crop that, when properly stored, can last up to 6 months. For long-lasting spuds, try growing reliable storage varieties like Elba and Upstate Abundance.

The key to successful storage is all in the timing and conditions. Harvest when the foliage has completely died back—this helps the skins toughen for storage. Cure the potatoes in a warm, dry, dark place for 2–5 days to allow the skins to fully dry and set. Once cured, move them to a cool, dark, slightly humid spot—basements work well. Just be sure to check occasionally and remove any sprouts that begin to form.

Paste & Drying Tomatoes

While a fresh-sliced tomato is a summer classic, many varieties—especially paste and drying types—are perfect for preserving. These tomatoes can be transformed into shelf-stable sauces, salsas, pastes, and more, allowing you to enjoy the flavors of summer well into the colder months.

Paste tomatoes have a lower water content, making them ideal for cooking down quickly and easily. Some of our favorite varieties include Cesare’s Canestrino di Lucca, a rare and gorgeous Italian heirloom prized for its rich flavor and shape, and San Marzano, a classic, prolific variety beloved for its consistent performance and traditional sauce-worthy taste.

Preserving tomatoes is a great way to stock your pantry and enjoy summer flavor deep into winter!

Corn

While many of us are used to eating fresh sweet corn, plenty of Corn varieties can be dried and used for polenta, cornmeal, flour, or even popcorn—adding versatility to your harvest and lasting as long as 20 years! 

Calico Popcorn is a standout for drying and popping, with kernels that store beautifully for months. We also love Otto File Flint Corn, an heirloom variety we grow right here at Four Fold Farm that makes rich, flavorful polenta. And the striking dark purple kernels of Double Red Sweet Corn can be dried and ground into cornmeal or flour, bringing color and nutrition to your baking. 

Growing drying corn is a great way to stock your pantry with homegrown staples that last well beyond the season.

More Ideas for Growing for Storage

Once you start to open your mind up to growing for storage, the possibilities really become endless, especially if you get creative with canning, fermenting, freezing, and drying your harvests. Here are some other ideas to inspire you:

• Beets, Carrots, & Radishes: Many varieties of these crops do well when stored properly. Some people even leave them in the frozen ground and harvest as needed as a way to store them over winter!
• Dried Herbs: Herbs like basil, mint, thyme, and oregano can be dried to build your very own garden-grown spice cabinet. They’re also perfect for crafting teas, letting you enjoy the flavors of your garden long after the season ends.
• Jams & Preserves: Many fruits, peppers, and even tomatoes can be cooked down into flavorful jams and preserves that are shelf-stable and long-lasting. 
• Hot Sauces: Ferment and can peppers to create shelf-stable hot sauces.  
• Peas: Freeze your pea harvest to enjoy for up to a year!
• Kale & Spinach: Chop these greens and freeze them to add to future soups, sautés, and more!