Secrets of choosing potatoes for storage

When preparing potatoes for storage, you need to determine which varieties are most suitable. All potatoes will keep for a long time, but not all will last until spring. Many varieties can remain fresh for 1-2 months. These include mid-early and mid-season varieties:Aurora«, «Rocco", "Pirol," and so on. But these potatoes won't stay fresh all winter. Mid-season and late-ripening potato varieties will sit in the cellar or basement until spring. Use "Chaika," "Yavir,"Kolobok«, «Slav", "Saturn" and so on.

Which potatoes should I buy?

When choosing tubers, pay attention to their appearance. They shouldn't be wilted, wrinkled, or sprouted. If they have pest damage or spots, choose a different variety.

Choose firm, dry potatoes that are round and slightly oblong in shape, with a diameter of 4 to 8 cm. Early varieties should have no soil stuck to them, and the skin should be thick and firm, without significant damage.

There may be some pale green spots, small cuts, and dents on the potato. This does not affect its quality.

Potatoes from the garden

To keep potatoes fresh until spring, they need proper care. From the moment the plant is dug out of the ground to storage, there are four stages.

Treatment period

During this time, the tubers ripen, dry out, and heal any damage caused during digging. After digging, leave the potatoes in the ground for 1 or 2 hours (but no longer, as this can cause the skin to become sunburned).

Move the plant under a roof or canopy for 10-14 days. This period is necessary for all mechanical damage to the skin to heal. During the first two weeks, the potato actively breathes, which helps all scratches dry out.

For the first 14 days, the plant should be kept in a location with a temperature of 13ºC to 18ºC. Humidity should be at least 9%.

Cooling

After the treatment period, begin gradually reducing the potato temperature. Eventually, it should drop to 2-4ºC. The ideal regimen is to decrease the temperature by 0.5ºC per day. This schedule is used in large storage facilities and is difficult to achieve at home. This isn't always necessary—the temperature will drop anyway due to natural changes and the onset of autumn.

After cooling, the potatoes are ready for storage. While they're being prepared for long-term storage, avoid getting them wet: don't wash them, and keep them out of the rain. Water will prevent any damage from fully healing, which could lead to the potatoes dying.

Winter storage

During winter, the plant goes into a dormant state. To avoid disturbing this dormancy, the room containing the potatoes should be kept dry and dark. If the tubers stored on the balcony, cover them with a thick cloth and make sure it doesn’t fall off.

The ideal storage temperature is between 2ºC and 4ºC. If the temperature drops below 0ºC for an extended period, the starch begins to convert to sugar, and the potatoes become sweet. A short-term drop in temperature is not harmful to the plant.

Maintain room humidity at 85-95%. Potatoes will spoil if the humidity drops or rises too high. To increase humidity, spray water in the room or leave wet rags there. To reduce it, ventilate the area or place a bag of beets on top of the potatoes to absorb excess moisture.

Spring

The root crop emerges from dormancy in late February or early March. To prevent sprouting, reduce the room temperature by 1-2ºC. Do this gradually.

Storage methods

There are several ways to store potatoesEach has its own pros and cons, depending on the number of tubers, storage duration, and conditions.

1. Bulk storage. This is the oldest storage method. It's only suitable for small quantities of potatoes. If you stack several on top of each other, there's a high risk of rotting.
2. Containers. Suitable for storing large quantities of potatoes, up to 500 kg. This method is chosen if the potatoes will be sold. The container has special holes for ventilation, preventing the tubers from rotting.
3. Bags. They take up less space because they can be stacked on top of each other. They provide good air circulation. Choose natural fabrics or mesh.
4. Box. Coniferous wood prevents fungal and plant growth, making it a good option for larger spaces.

To prevent potatoes from rotting in a storage box, place half an apple or a piece of ginger root inside. Mint is effective in preventing sprouting—simply place it in the container with the tubers.

To prevent potatoes from spoiling all winter, plan their storage conditions in advance and choose the right variety. Rotting potatoes can ruin the entire batch, so keep an eye on their condition throughout the winter.