If you are serious about growing your own food, potatoes should be at the top of your list. They’re filling, versatile, and surprisingly easy to grow-but the real trick is knowing how to preserve home-grown potatoes so that they last until the next harvest. The good news? You don’t need special equipment or a root cellar to keep your potatoes fresh for months. With a few simple time-tested methods, you can store them the way people have done for generations-ensuring you always have homegrown food on hand, even in the middle of winter.
Certain potatoes varieties keep better than others. For more on which potatoes are best for long-term storage click here. Large, firm potatoes with thick, tight skin last the longest. Keep your storage onions away from the potatoes. Onions produce a high amount of ethylene gas which will ripen your potatoes and make them spoil.
Best Environment For Preserving Your Home-Grown Potatoes
Potatoes last the longest in a dark, cool area that is between 45 to 50 degrees. If the temperature is too cold the potato can become grainy. Colder temperatures can also convert the potato starches to sugar, changing its flavor and causing the potato to brown when frying or roasting. Long exposure to light will cause potatoes to turn green and produce solanine, which can make you sick if you eat too much of it.
Humidity and Airflow
Potatoes need 95% humidity levels to maintain their weight. Once the levels get lower than 90 they start to shrivel. It is important to have air flow so that condensation does not form. When storing potatoes, select crates or baskets that will allow air to pass through. Don’t wash the potatoes but brush off mud and dirt that may prevent air flow.
Creating the Right Conditions for Long-Term Potato Storage
It is hard to create the exact environment needed to preserve home grown potatoes without investing in a refrigerated cold storage unit with a humidifier. There are some simple methods to help create a similar environment.
Traditionally in my area, families stored their potatoes in the crawl space under the home. Crates were wrapped in wire mesh and lifted off the ground to prevent pest damage while allowing air flow. Temperatures in the winter range between low 20’s and upper 50’s which means the crawl space should be about the ideal temperature.
Another practice is to store the potatoes in a crate with straw and keep them in a barn with some insulation and airflow. Sand can also be used to store potatoes, layering an inch or two of sand then a layer of potatoes. Lay the potatoes down without letting them touch. A garage works well for this, just make sure the potatoes aren’t exposed to light. Elevate the crate off the ground with blocks or a pallet.
As you use your potatoes, take a moment to look for signs of rot. Remove those potatoes immediately before they spoil the rest of them. Use the potatoes first that are starting to shrivel or soften. They are still fine to eat at that stage.
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