Cold Storage Chart and Reference Guide to Commercial Vegetable Storage
Robert Hadad, Extension Vegetable Specialist
Cornell Vegetable Program

In the Cold Storage Chart and Reference Guide, vegetable growers will find storage information by crop with temperature and relative humidity recommendations. The maximum number of weeks that the crop can be held under ideal conditions is provided as well.
Additionally, adapted from the USDA Bulletin #66, The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stock, growers of the following vegetables will find information on quality, grading, sizes, and packaging, chilling and storage, and post-harvest pathology:
- Asparagus
- Bean
- Beet
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
- Carrot
- Celeriac
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Lettuce and Other Greens
- Onion
- Pepper
- Squash
- Sweet Corn
- Tomato
- Turnip and Rutabaga
Cold Storage Chart and Reference Guide (pdf; 375KB)

Upcoming Events
2026 Finger Lakes Produce Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 8, 2026
Penn Yan, NY
At this vegetable grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss food safety, disease management in strawberries, the benefits of using cover crops, plus more. Two grower panel discussions will focus on pest management techniques and irrigation. DEC recertification credits offered in categories 10, 1a, 21, 22, 23, and 24.
2026 Ontario Produce Auction Winter Growers Meeting
January 14, 2026
Stanley, NY
At this grower-focused meeting, ag industry experts will discuss European Cherry Fruit Fly, greenhouse phytosanitary inspections, the benefits of using cover crops, plus more. Two grower panel discussions will focus on pest management techniques. DEC recertification credits offered in categories 10, 1a, 22, 23, and 24.