Potatoes are an easy and self-sufficient vegetable to cultivate in your backyard garden, yet storing them for long term can be challenging without access to a root cellar. Storing requires proper curing at low temperatures in order to avoid spoilage and rotting; however, there are a few tricks available to you which can help ensure they last all winter long.
Once your potato plant’s foliage begins to die back and shrivel, this signals its energy shift towards producing underground tubers rather than leaves, and begins hardening their skins for storage.
Once your potatoes have been harvested, it is necessary to store them for several weeks in a dark and cool location such as a basement or garage. To protect from rot, place them in cardboard boxes with cut out ventilation slots or paper bags with cut holes cut in for air circulation; baskets or buckets also work – just ensure it has an airtight lid to help ensure the process goes uninterrupted.
Important to keeping potatoes at optimal conditions is keeping them out of direct sunlight or any exposure to bright light sources, since light exposure causes the potatoes to produce toxins which will eventually spoil and go bad, turning green while not altering flavor or quality but can become toxic if consumed in large amounts.
Keep the potatoes between 40-45 degrees Fahrenheit with humidity of 85-95% to maintain optimal conditions for storage. Too cold or too warm temperatures could cause starches in the potatoes to convert to sugars faster, leading to early spoilage; hence why keeping them in the fridge may not be the best idea.
Maintain a separate area for potatoes when growing them indoors to avoid being exposed to other vegetables and fruit like apples and onions, which emit ethylene gasses that will speed up sprouting and spoilage of your crop. Check your potatoes regularly; any that show signs of decay should be removed immediately from their basket or box and replaced by newer, fresher varieties – this will prevent rotten ones from infiltrating other varieties, extending their life span as a result.
Proper storage of potatoes will extend their shelf life up to eight months without spoiling. Make sure they’re stored in a dark, cool location and check on them regularly for signs of rot or sprouting – if one appears, remove and dispose immediately so as not to spoil the rest of the bunch! By following these simple guidelines for long term storage of potatoes, you should enjoy delicious winter potatoes that won’t spoil. Feel free to share any additional storage tips in the comments!