QUESTION: I’m harvesting a lot of potatoes. How do I store potatoes from my garden? -Kenny T.
ANSWER: New potatoes from the first and second early crops will only last about a week before they’ve gone bad. Put them in the refrigerator, either in a paper bag or wrapped loosely in plastic. Do not wash them until you’re ready to use them.
From the moment they’re dug up, try to limit the exposure to sunlight your potatoes get. Fully mature potatoes that have been freshly dug up need about two weeks of time to cure in a dry, well-ventilated, dark, cool spot with temperatures between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. This time to cure will allow the potatoes’ skin to thicken and will also increase their shelf life.
Once curing is complete, brush off any dirt or garden debris still attached to your potatoes—but don’t wash them with water just yet. Remove any that are green or damaged before placing your harvest in long-term storage. Store your potato crop in a dark place where the temperature stays between 45 and 50 degrees, and they should stay fresh and tasty for at least a month and up to seven or eight months. Mature potatoes should not be refrigerated or stored with apples, which can cause them to spoil due to the ethylene gas they produce.
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