Abstract: An over wintering method for storing mature root crops in soil in the ground in a geographic area with a seasonal climate, where the winter months are consistently below zero degrees Celsius overnight, including the steps: (a) during the fall months, positioning an impermeable material above a row of mature root crop; (b) distributing an insulating material above the impermeable material sufficient to provide an insulating layer of at least 30 centimeters in depth across the row; (c) up to six months following step (b), removing the impermeable material and the insulating material, and harvesting the root crop.