I too, have the same question as Bob. The early-maturing blue potato variety we enjoyed in early summer months, my midseason 'German Butterball' potatoes we dug and ate as we wanted throughout the rest of summer and into early fall. Storing potatoes in a cool spot is the most important consideration. I would love to leave the potatoes in the ground, but I'm not sure that I could here in Minnesota. Here are a few tips for digging up and storing potatoes: Once the plant turns crispy and brown and dead, the potatoes under the ground are finished growing. Join the RHS today and get 12 months for the price of 9. The plants died back and some even resprouted in the cooler fall weather, but I discovered that cutting off the new shoots made the potatoes good as new. Potatoes are fine in the ground until the ground freezes. Finally, put the previously excavated soil from the pit back on top, covering the newly laid straw until it is at least 3 inches thick and no straw is exposed. Place cured potatoes in a burlap bag, tuck the bag into a plastic storage bin left open a wee bit, and keep in an unheated basement. If you have an unheated basement, that's a perfect spot for your potatoes. How to Store Cured Potatoes Post curing, you can store your potatoes in any container that allows for ventilation, such as a cardboard box, paper bag, or laundry basket. Potatoes — ever had a volunteer potato plant before? That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. Storing potatoes at temperatures that range from 43 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s between 6 and 12 Celsius) may allow them to keep for multiple months without rotting or sprouting eyes. Potatoes keep best at temperatures less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Flawless potatoes that stay in the ground until the plants’ tops wither are the best candidates for long-term storage. First you have to “cure” the potato. If you do choose to refrigerate your potatoes for whatever reason, the potatoes will last for three to four weeks, but they'll develop a sweet taste when cooked. If you have a potato-storage technique that has worked for you, please leave your tried-and-true method in the comments field below. Already a Member but Keep Potatoes in a Cool and Dry Environment As previously explained, potatoes should be placed in a cardboard box, mesh bag, or basket to ensure good ventilation. Get involved. Storing potatoes in the ground « on: July 31, 2014, 12:49 » My potatoes are beginning to die back and I have harvested about 10%. When potatoes are exposed to light, they build up a chemical called solanin, which makes them turn green and bitter. Store Raw Potatoes in a Cool Place Storage temperature has a significant impact on how long potatoes will last. They should also be kept off the ground to prevent rodents and other pests from getting to them. In the dark, moist ground. How to Harvest Main Crop Potatoes. Begin to harvest early potatoes two to three months after planting them in the ground. Creating a potato pit is a simple matter. Survival Skills, Garden Planning, Seed Saving, Food Preservation, Natural Health – Dozens of courses, 100+ workshops, and interactive Q&As. I store potatoes in an unheated corner of the basement that stays dark, cool, and performs just like a root cellar. It's a good idea to dig the hole ahead of time, but don't put the taters in until late fall when the ground in the hole is good and cold. When creating a potato pit, proper construction is the key to preventing rot in the spuds and allowing you to dig out only the few you need at any one time. After digging, let them cure for several days to two weeks by letting them dry on newspaper or dry ground in a dark space, such as the garage, basement, etc. Vegetables that store well are: potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips, turnips, swedes/rutabags and most of the pumpkin and squashes (not cukes – too watery, best to pickle). Join now . An insulated garage or shed might also work during the winter. Leaving the tubers in the ground under a heavy layer of dirt that may eventually become wet will most certainly create conditions that will either rot the potato or encourage sprouting. Food Storage: 20 Crops That Keep and How to Store Them. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Just like the name implies, your potatoes will heal of any small bruises, cuts, and nicks during this process. Just dig a hole about 3 feet deep, throw in the taters, cover with a foot or so of leaves, and top off the hole with a piece of plywood and a concrete block to keep it from blowing away. Potatoes should be stored in a dark environment at about 45˚F to 50˚F (7˚C to 10˚C). Chicken Coops - 45 Building Plans For Housing Your Flock, Growing Herbs For Cold And Flu Relief E-Handbook, Natural Cold Storage: Fresh Food in Winter, Keeping Crops Cool During Hot Weather: 13 Ways to Beat the Heat, Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 64% Off the Cover Price. Generally speaking, storing potatoes in the ground is not the most recommended method, especially for any long term storage. ( I suppose this is obvious.) After reading our article about easy, outdoor root cellars as a means to store vegetables directly in the garden, I decided to give storing potatoes in the ground a try. Never store potatoes in the fridge. So, if you store potatoes in a dark, moist environment, such as underneath your sink, they will continue to grow and sprout. Don’t choose a spot where rainwater tends to pool, as the stored spuds will rot. Consider Storing Potatoes in the Ground If you live in an area that does not experience a hard winter freeze, you may be able to just leave your potatoes in the ground and harvest them as needed. Just mind the soil temperature and moisture levels – the temperature isn’t nearly as big of a concern as too much water is. There are … That temperature is just a tad bit warmer than the heat levels commonly found in … Raw potatoes that have been cut should be stored in a bowl of cold water and refrigerated. We’ve got potatoes and peas a-plenty at the moment, not to mention all the salad leaves. I am about to go on holiday for 2 weeks and wondering if I can leave the rest of them in the ground? The relative humidity should be around 95% to prevent them from drying out. These can be bought quite cheaply from garden and seed potato suppliers. Sign up for our newsletter. After reading our article about easy, outdoor root cellars as a means to store vegetables directly in the garden, I decided to give storing potatoes in the ground a try. The charlotte potatoes have been amazing, as they were last year. If eaten in large amounts, solanin can cause illness, so trim off any green potato skin. Dig up as necessary in mild winters but it may be better to dig and store them in a cool place. Early potatoes store for about 5 days in a cool, dry and dark position so harvest them when needed. Even a little below 40 degrees is okay, just be sure they don’t freeze. You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. Like to read more content, Join the Mother Earth News Community Today! Cool humid conditions  of 38-45 F. (3-7 C.) found in cellars or basements are ideal for most potato storage. The potatoes you leave in the ground will grow to become your main crop—your mature tuber crop, and the plant will produce new potatoes as well. The best thing for storing potatoes in is a hessian sack (burlap bag). Sign in with your online account. Avoid plastic because it leads to moisture retention. If so, would you suggest … Store your potatoes in a cool, humid, and dark place (45 to 50 F is the ideal temperature range). You can read the article Food Storage: 20 Crops That Keep and How to Store Them for more ideas on storing potatoes and other great storage crops. Lastly, we covered all with a layer of loose soil at least two feet thick. We would dig several bushels, let them dry in the sun a little, then put them in a big hole lined with a very thick layer of leaves or hay. Harvesting and storing potatoes. 4:25. A member of the nightshade family, which includes other New World crops such as tomatoes, peppers and tobacco, the potato was first brought from the Americas to Europe in 1573. Common at that time, storing potatoes in ground pits was one way to ensure plenty of food throughout the winter season. This year, I was determined to discover how to store potatoes without ever having to dig them out of my garden beds. They really do taste best when harvested and then eaten a day or so later. Last year, after carefully digging, curing, and packing my potatoes into my unfinished basement — which I thought would be the perfect environment to hold my spuds through winter months — I had to have a panicked potato-soup canning session as I discovered most of the potatoes had gone soft and nearly rotted after just a few weeks. In extreme climates or just for additional protection, you can dig the pit deeper than recommended above and put a clean plastic barrel at a 45-degree angle into the pit. 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