I recently got a call from a reader looking for information and tips on storing potatoes after harvest. He had lost his cold cellar storage and was keen to get some more information and we are keen to help.
In the November-December 2023 issue of Small Farm Canada magazine Jeff Carter covered that very subject in a story called “All About Potatoes”.
Jeff advises to remove any damaged or blemished potatoes and use them for the table right away.
Prior to storage potatoes should be cured. Jeff lays the harvested potatoes on newspaper in the garage for about two weeks. Once cured, remove any loose soil but do not wash the potatoes prior to placing them in storage.
Choose a dark somewhat humid place. Ideally the temperature should be about 4.5 degrees Celsius (40 F) -- but a cool, rather than too cold location will suffice.
Jeff uses cardboard boxes or half-bushel hampers for storage, layering potatoes between sheets of newspaper.
Check the containers and layers contained periodically to seek out any rot before it spreads in storage.
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