A potato that’s sprouted can be be eaten if you cut the sprout off, but don’t consume any that are also soft or shriveled. What is the proper way to store potatoes? Potatoes go green when exposed to light. The green bit contains toxins, so is not safe to eat: however, if you ensure it’s thoroughly removed before cooking, the rest of the spud is edible. Homegrown potatoes should be cured before they are stored. To cure them, keep them in a dark but well ventilated place with moderate temperatures and high humidity for a period of one week to 10 days, advise the OSU experts. 3. Keep potatoes well ventilated and cool Preparation. Peel and cook potatoes before canning. Follow proper canning procedures to ensure safety.

Storing potatoes might seem straightforward, but several pitfalls can jeopardize the longevity and quality of your stored harvest. By being aware of these common storage mistakes and learning how to avoid them, you can ensure that your potatoes remain fresh and edible for months to come. Potato Storage Mistakes And Solutions The only cleaning necessary after harvesting the potatoes is to remove excess soil. Gently brush off any excess soil without damaging the skin. This can be done with a soft brush or gently rubbing the potato in your hands. The best plug-in device for maintaining the ideal potato storage temperature of 45°F (7°C) is a beverage cooler, of which there are several small models that might be useful if you are critically low on cold storage space. You also can use a wine cooler set at its lowest setting, which is usually around 52°F (11°C). Ensure that your storage area maintains a consistent temperature of around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep potatoes out of direct sunlight, as this can cause them to become green and develop solanine, a toxic compound. Creating the ideal storage environment for potatoes is a nuanced process that requires a balance of temperature, humidity, and ventilation. It’s not just about finding a spot in the pantry but understanding the specific needs of potatoes and providing them with the right conditions to thrive.

A consideration on how to store potatoes is curing. Curing is a process that will further toughen up the skin of the tubers. Place the potatoes where there are moderate temperatures but high humidity for ten days. Clean the potatoes after you dig them up and place in a cardboard box or open paper bags in a room that is 65 F. (18 C.) and humidity up to 95 percent. Tempted to put them into the refrigerator? Don’t. ‘Storage temperatures below 45ºF can cause sugar buildup or sweetening,’ say the experts at OSU Extension. Arrange the potatoes in a single layer on a lined cookie sheet. Freeze them for least four hours. They can also be frozen overnight.

To store potatoes so they don’t sprout, keep them in a cool, dark and dry place. Make sure they’re not stored with onions, too, as that can cause them to sprout. While many potatoes are suitable for storage, some are not ideal for long-term keeping. For example, red potatoes with thin skins may not keep as well as white or yellow potatoes. Storing potatoes is more than just tossing them in a bin, setting them in a dark corner, and forgetting about them. It’s an art that requires knowledge of the different potato varieties, understanding their storage capabilities, and employing proper storage techniques to preserve freshness and reduce waste. For many people, their first instinct after harvesting the potatoes is to wash them. This is one of the worst mistakes you can make for storing potatoes. Whether you’re looking to enjoy your potatoes in a hearty winter stew or as a fermented delicacy, these preservation techniques provide the flexibility and creativity to make the most of your potato harvest all year round. Conclusion

Root Cellars and Basements

Some potato varieties rarely produce flowers other varieties produce lots. But flowering is a very unreliable method of determining if the potatoes are ready for harvest, sometimes normally reliable flowering varieties produce no flowers at all. Time from planting is the best method.