Adapted from Grow A Good LifeUnder ideal conditions, potatoes can remain fresh for 3 to 6 months or longer.
Identify Suitable Storage
- Dark: Store potatoes in a dark place.
- Good Ventilation: Potatoes continue to breath after harvesting. A small fan will work for areas with no air movement.
- Cool: Keeping potatoes cool at 45˚F to 50˚F slows the aging process.
- Humid: Potatoes need humidity to prevent them from drying out. You can use a humidifier, or place a pan of water near your air source.
- The Refrigerator: If no other option works for you, you can keep potatoes in the refrigerator. It will probably limit the amount you can keep though.
Sort the Potatoes
Some types of potatoes will last longer than others. Sorting by variety will make it easy to find the ones that have a shorter storage life and use them first. Ask your vendor about the varieties they grow.
Pack the Potatoes
Don’t wash the potatoes before storing. Moisture will encourage mold and reduce storage life.
Store potatoes in cardboard boxes, baskets, or bins with holes in the sides for air circulation. Cover with paper and use paper between layers if stacking. If storing in the refrigerator, keep them in a netting bag, or in a plastic or paper bag with air holes.
Check on the Potatoes
Every week or so, look through the potatoes to remove any that begin to smell, sprout, or have soft spots. Keeping potatoes cool will slow the sprouting process, but eventually small sprouts will appear. The potatoes are safe to eat if they are still firm, simply remove the sprouts before cooking.
Alternatively, potatoes can be par-boiled (boiled for five minutes) and frozen for future use.
