All it takes is a few leaves. Herbs can make potato storage more effective

Have you harvested your potatoes yet? Most likely you have, and you may be expecting a second harvest if you planted an early variety of potato back in August. Storing potatoes undoubtedly has its own specific requirements, and it is important to focus on keeping them fresh for as long as possible. If stored incorrectly, the most common problems are mould, or premature and excessive sprouting of the potatoes. These issues can be prevented not only by following the correct guidelines, but also by adding two common herbs.

All you need is bay leaf or mint

There are several reasons for this. Bay leaves are characterised by their content of aromatic compounds and essential oils. Mint is known for its very refreshing scent, which is very strong and often literally clears the sinuses. These herbs are excellent for storing potatoes because they create an unfavourable environment for many microorganisms and pests.

Perfectly sorting the potatoes

This is undoubtedly where we should start. Remove any rotten or slightly mouldy tubers. Similarly, green potatoes or tubers with a greenish tinge do not belong in the cellar. A single spoiled potato can have a negative effect on all those around it. Damp tubers must be left to dry thoroughly.

Photo: Radek Stepan

The right containers for storage

Open wooden crates are ideal. Potatoes need to breathe, and circulating air is perfect for them. Beware of sealed plastic containers, which literally encourage rot and mould. It is best not to stack the potatoes. If you have several crates and plenty of space, this isn’t an issue.

Adding the aforementioned herbs

Ideally, scatter a few sprigs of dried mint or bay leaves at the bottom of the container. You can also place a couple of them directly amongst the potatoes. It is important that the herbs release their aromatic essential oils. The potatoes should then last the whole winter until spring.

Tip: We grew potatoes in bags. The harvest was decent.

Darkness, cool temperatures and regular checks on the tubers

Potatoes should be stored in a dark and cool place. This is because light causes the tubers to turn green. The room temperature should be between 2 and 4 °C. Don’t forget to check the tubers regularly and remove any that have gone off.

Sources: Author

Photo and photogallery: Radek Stepan