Avoid potato storage mistakes

So, it is time to get potatoes out of the ground and store them for the winter. You can use a potato digger machine or you may do it manually. In both cases you should be careful as even minor damage often leads to rotting. You do not see it immediately but it will spread and when you want to make French potatoes, American potatoes or potato dumplings in the winter you will be surprise to find partially black or completely rotten tubers. The only way to avoid it is to exercise care when harvesting.

To wash or not to wash?

Some people wash tubers using a stream of water. The stronger the stream, the easier mud comes off. However, if the stream is too strong and thin you may damage the tubers. Potatoes should not be lying on a hard surface such as concrete when washing. Do not use a high-pressure cleaners! You should also know what potato variety you have as some are more resistant to damage. There are other group of people who do not wash potatoes at all. However, the traditional approach is that they should be washed, but carefully.

Photo: Pixabay

Potatoes must be dry

If you wash potatoes, do so in a sunny weather and make sure they are completely dry before storage. Wet tubers will start to rot. Put potatoes in boxes carefully, one piece at a time. You do not want unnecessary abrasions or damage, which will turn into gray spots later…

Check stored potatoes from time to time

Yes, it is worth it. If one tuber goes bad, the others will start sooner or later. If you notice and remove a rotten potato early, you are in luck. You do not need to check regularly, but do so when you working in a cellar and you “just” remember.

Photo: Pixabay

Physical damage

If you notice bluish spots on tubers it may not be a sign of rot or damage but mainly a sign of improper handling. These problems are most often caused by temperature fluctuations or by an uneven supply of water or nutrient.

Source: dumazahrada.cz, vlastní zkušenosti autora

Preview photo: Pixabay