How To Store Garden Potatoes?

Potatoes are a staple of many kitchens, but storing them can be tricky. Here’s how to store your potatoes in the most efficient way possible!

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Introduction

One of the most common questions I get from gardeners is ufffdHow do I store my potatoes for the winter?ufffd The answer, fortunately, is quite simple. OSU Extension potato expert Dr. David Francis says that as long as you have a cool, dark, dry place to store them, your potatoes will keep just fine. However, there are a few things you need to do to get them ready for storage.

First, at the end of the season (usually late September or early October in Ohio), stop watering your potato plants. This will help the skins of your potatoes to toughen up, making them less susceptible to bruising and rot.

Next, carefully dig up your potatoes, taking care not to bruise or damage them. Cut off any remaining foliage, leaving about two inches of stem attached to each potato. Allow the potatoes to air dry in a cool, shady place for a day or two before storing them.

Once theyufffdre dry, brush off any loose dirt and place the potatoes in a box, crate or other container lined with clean newspaper. Be sure not to wash them at this point; moisture will encourage rot. Cover the container loosely with more newspaper or a cloth and store it in a cool (40-50 degrees Fahrenheit), dark place such as a basement or root cellar.

Check on your potatoes every few weeks during storage and remove any that show signs of bruising or rot. Potatoes can be stored for several months this way; just be sure to use them before they start to sprout. When youufffdre ready to use them, simply wash and cook as usual

Why store garden potatoes?

Potatoes are a key ingredient in many of our favorite dishes, so itufffds no wonder that this humble root vegetable is one of the most popular crops to grow in home gardens. If youufffdre lucky enough to have a bumper crop, you may be wondering how to store garden potatoes so that you can enjoy them all winter long.

There are several reasons why you may want to store garden potatoes. First, potatoes that are grown in your own garden will be fresher and tastier than those that you buy at the grocery store. Second, by storing your own potatoes, you will have more control over the varieties that you have available to you. And finally, storing your own potatoes can save you money since they will be less expensive than buying them at the store.

If you decide to store garden potatoes, there are a few things that you need to do in order to ensure that they will last throughout the winter. First, harvest your potatoes when the plants have died back and the tubers are fully mature. Next, brush off any dirt and wash the potatoes gently with cool water. Once they are clean, allow the potatoes to dry completely before storing them.

potatoes can be stored in a cool, dark place such as a basement or root cellar. If you do not have a cool, dark place available, you can also store them in an unheated garage or shed. Just be sure that the temperature remains consistent and does not fluctuate too much. Potatoes should also be stored in a well-ventilated area so that they do not spoil.

Once your potatoes are properly stored, they will last for several months. Be sure to check on them periodically and use any that start to sprout or look shriveled up so that they do not go to waste. With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy fresh garden potatoes all winter long!

When to store garden potatoes?

OSU Extension offers suggestions for storing garden potatoes so they’ll be part of your winter menu.

As you dig your potatoes, check them over carefully and get rid of any that are bruised or have cuts. These will rot quickly and can lead to other potatoes going bad.

Potatoes can be stored in a cool, dark place that is well ventilated. A temperature between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal, but a slightly warmer spot will still work as long as it doesn’t go above 60 degrees. Avoid places where there are big temperature swings, such as near a window or door that opens to the outdoors.

The basement is often a good place to store potatoes, but any spot that meets the temperature criteria will do. Line the bottom of your storage container with newspaper to help absorb moisture and keep the potatoes from rotting. Place the potatoes in the container, being careful not to stack them too high. Cover the container with more newspaper, burlap or a light cloth to keep out the light.

Check on your potatoes every week or so and remove any that have started to rot so they don’t contaminate the others. Potatoes can be stored this way from two to six months, depending on the variety.

How to store garden potatoes?

After you harvest your potatoes from the garden, you need to know how to store them so they will last through the winter. The best way to store potatoes is in a cool, dark place where the temperature is around 40 degrees F. A basement or root cellar is ideal. If you don’t have a basement or root cellar, you can store your potatoes in a cool closet or even under the bed.

When storing potatoes, be sure to keep them in a dry place. If they get too wet, they will start to sprout and rot. Potatoes need to be stored in a well-ventilated place so they can breathe. Do not store them in plastic bags or closed containers because this will cause them to sweat and rot.

The best way to store potatoes is in a wire mesh basket or on a pallet in a single layer so they are not touching each other. Be sure to check on your potatoes every few weeks and remove any that are starting to sprout or look wrinkled. These potatoes can be used first.

If you have a lot of garden potatoes, you may want to make potato salad or mashed potatoes and freeze them for later use. Freezing potato salad or mashed potatoes is a great way to have home-grown potatoes on the menu all winter long!

Tips for storing garden potatoes

Harvesting and storing potatoes from your garden is a great way to enjoy fresh potatoes all winter long! Here are some tips from the OSU Extension office on how to store your garden potatoes:

1. Potatoes should be harvested when the plant dies back and the potatoes are mature. This usually occurs in late summer or early fall.

2. potatoes should be stored in a cool, dark, dry place. A temperature between 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal.

3. Be sure to check on your potatoes regularly and use any that show signs of spoilage first. Potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

4. When cooking stored potatoes, they may need a longer cooking time than fresh potatoes. Be sure to adjust your recipe accordingly.

Storing garden potatoes for long-term storage

One of the best ways to enjoy fresh potatoes all winter long is by storing them properly. Here are a few tips from the OSU Extension office on how to store your garden potatoes for long-term storage:

1. Harvest your potatoes when the plants have died back and the skins have set. This usually occurs in September or October in Ohio.

2. Wash the potatoes carefully to remove any dirt or debris. Do not wash them with soap, as this can remove the natural waxes that protect the potatoes from rotting.

3. Cure the potatoes in a cool, dark place for two weeks. This allows the skins to toughen, which helps protect the potatoes from bruising during storage.

4. Store the potatoes in a cool (40-50 degrees Fahrenheit), dark place with good ventilation. A cellar, root cellar, or unheated room in your house will work well. Do not store them near apples, as apples emit ethylene gas that can cause the potatoes to rot.

5. Check on your stored potatoes periodically and use any that show signs of sprouting or rotting first. Potatoes can be stored for several months if they are stored properly.

Using stored garden potatoes

The key to using stored garden potatoes all winter long is to select sound tubers of desired varieties at harvest, cure them properly and then store them in a cool (45-50 degrees F), dark, dry location with good air circulation.

There are many potato varieties available for the home gardener, and new ones are introduced each year. Some have better storage qualities than others. Older varieties such as ‘Russet’, ‘Long Blue’, ‘Irish Cobbler’ and ‘Early Rose’ have fair to good storage qualities and are still useful for the home gardener. Newer varieties such as ‘Russet Norkotah’, ‘Red La Soda’, ‘Yukon Gold’ and ‘Pontiac’ have better storage qualities and are recommended for long-term storage.

Curing potatoes after harvest is an important step in extending their storage life. Curing allows cuts or bruises on the tuber surface to heal and helps to develop a thicker skin that will reduce water loss during storage. Curing also helpsto convert some of the starches in the potato to sugars, resulting in a sweeter flavor. To cure, spread newly dug potatoes in a single layer on screens or newspaper in a cool (60-70 degrees F), dark, humid location (85% relative humidity) for 7-10 days. Do not wash potatoes before curing as this will cause them to rot during the curing process. After curing, brush off any loose dirt but do not wash them until you are ready to use them.

Once potatoes have been cured, they can be stored in a cool (45-50 degrees F), dark location with good air circulation for several months. A cellar, root cellar or unheated room in your house that meets these requirements is often ideal for storing potatoes long term. If you do not have an appropriate location, commercially available potato storage bags that meet these requirements can be used. Be sure to place an identification label inside each bag so you will know what is inside when it comes time to use them over the winter months. Store only sound tubers in your potato storage area as diseased or decaying potatoes will cause all of your stored tubers to rot quickly. Inspect your stored potatoes regularly and remove any that show signs of disease or decay so they do not contaminate healthy tubers

Potatoes can be used in many ways throughout the winter months and can be added to almost any menu. They can be boiled, mashed, roasted, baked or fried and make a great addition to soups and stews

Troubleshooting stored garden potatoes

Properly storing garden potatoes can extend the harvest into winter and add homegrown flavor to the menu all year long. Some varieties of potatoes store better than others. Trust your eyes and nose when selecting the best ones for storing. Watch for small, new potatoes that show no sign of disease or injury. Avoid those with green skins, which develop because of sunlight exposure. Select only firm potatoes with smooth, unblemished skin. Potatoes with wrinkled skin take longer to cure and may not store as well. Those with damaged or early sprouted eyes will also not last as long in storage.

The curing process is important for two reasons: it helps to heal any cuts or bruises on the tubers and it also reduces the level of a natural chemical called solanine. This substance is safe in small amounts but can cause illness if consumed in large quantities. Start curing two weeks after harvest, when nightly temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit but before the threat of freezing weather arrives.

Curing takes place in a cool, humid location out of direct sunlight. The perfect spot might be an unfinished basement, a root cellar or even a shady spot in the garage where temperatures remain above 50 degrees Fahrenheit day and night. A cool basement is often too dry for curing, so you may need to set out a pan of water to raise the humidity level or cover your curing tubers with a damp cloth or burlap sack at nightfall to increase moisture levels around them

Conclusion

In conclusion, potatoes are a versatile and easy to store crop that can be harvested in the fall and enjoyed all winter long. With a little planning, you can have a delicious potato menu even in the middle of winter. For more information about growing and storing potatoes, contact your local Extension office.