Dry wood ash can preserve watermelons and melons until the New Year

Storing watermelons and melons until the New Year requires a barrier against rotting and excess humidity. Using dry wood ash can create such a protective environment, provided the fruits possess high storability (keepability). Even minor surface damage can compromise long-term storage efforts. Criteria for Selecting Fruit The success of winter storage depends on the initial quality of the produce. For long-term preservation, select fruits that are slightly underripe with intact skins and undamaged stems. It is critical to inspect the surface thoroughly—any scratch acts as a gateway for fungal infections. Igor Lytkin, soil scientist: "Wood ash is an excellent sorbent. It not only extracts excess moisture from the air around the fruit but also possesses antiseptic properties, which is critical for preventing mold development in enclosed spaces."