If you’re like me, and maybe, just maybe went a little overboard on planting potatoes this year {unless it’s the HH reading this, then I standby the fact that I planted the perfect amount, ha!}, then you might be wondering how to store them so that you can get the most out of your crop.
Digging up and storing potatoes is super easy–and if you do it right, you can almost ensure that you will have garden potatoes until March.
If you planted potatoes traditionally {in the ground}, you can harvest them once the plant has started to die back. It will begin to brown, and at this point, scale way back on your watering {that will help to harden off your potatoes}. If it is dry where you live, you can leave the potatoes in the ground another week or two after the plant dies back to really harden off the potatoes, but if you are in a wet climate, it is best to get them out of the ground to prevent moldy rotten potatoes. Dig them up using a shovel.
From the base of the plant, move out 8-12″. Carefully dig around the plant. Go slowly so that you don’t accidentally stab one of your taters with the shovel. Gently turn over the dirt to reveal your potatoes.
Next, sort through the potatoes. Move any that have broken skin into a separate pile to eat right away.
Move all of the rest to a cool dark place {basement, cellar, etc.}. Using a box {with plenty of holes for circulation, but not enough to let light in} layer potatoes and newspaper. First, line the bottom of the box with newspaper, then a flat layer of potatoes. Cover the layer of potatoes with newspaper and repeat the process until you fill the box. Tuck the sides of the newspaper in on each layer.
If your potatoes are kept in a cool, DARK, dry place {roughly 45-55 degrees} they should last quite awhile this way. Though, I guess I should mention, certain potatoes last longer than others, {i.e. russets last longer than yukon golds} so make sure you grew a variety that can be easily stored. {Do not be tempted to keep them in the fridge, it causes the starch to turn to sugar and negatively affects the taste of the potatoes.}
Also, it is best to check your potatoes monthly. If you find a rotten one, remove them from the box.
They are like a bad influence on the other potatoes and will quickly cause the rest of the box to rot.
That’s pretty much it. How do you store your potatoes? How long do you get them to store?
~Mavis
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