Storing Potatoes

treascon09 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

Hi everyone, This is my first post so hope i get it right.
Anyway this is my first year to sow a garden since i was a child and im absolutely amazed how the weeds can grow so fast.... I sowed about 15 rows of potatoes 15m long, different varieties and so far have been eating the early british queens. The rest of the rows are a mess now with weeds! They totally got ahead of me. (see pic)
Im thinking of just cutting off the stalks and digging them all up but im wondering whats the best way to store them. Or is this the right thing to do? Also i think a few stalkes got blight, ( must have missed them with the spray. burgandy mix). Basically im lookin for any help or advise i can get!!

stoneygardens · Posted: Sun Aug 16, 2009 9:29 pm Post subject: help

hi
stick with it
My grandad used to keep spuds in straw or sand to keep them over the winter havent tried it yet. Dig em up and store them in a childs sand pit with the play sand so its not wet or with straw works the same keeps them warm not cold! If they become cold they will shoot because they think winter is over and try to germinate I Think......... and dark no light !!!!!!!
Just try halp the size next time the weeding isnt so bad then invest in a hoe makes it easier
Hope this helps
your plot looks impressive but keep it managable bud
Happy Gardening
Stoney
Very Happy

treascon09 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

Thanks for that Stoney.

I have heard that you can dig a pit in the ground and store spuds in straw but im wondering how deep and do you need to place spuds in layers or just load them all in and cover with straw. Also how do you stop the rain penetrating the pit. If you cover with plastic will spuds sweat and rot??? SO many what if's??? Maybe someone out there has first hand experience...

verge · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 1:03 am Post subject:

treascon09 · Rank attained: Hazel Tree Joined: 15 Aug 2009 Posts: 42

Thanks Verge,
Am I right to assume that its the same process for keepin spuds your goin to eat later on. Just store in peat or sand and then take them out as you need them??

michael brenock · Posted: Tue Aug 18, 2009 8:40 am Post subject:

Some potatoes are good keepers, others are not. it is a bit early to store potatoes and potatoes should be fully mature before storing (allow skin to become tough and not easily rubbed off). Never store a damaged or diseased potato. never wash potatoes before storing. Potatoes will bring certain soil borne diseases with them into the store. A pit made at or slightly below ground level is suitable for storing potatoes. Pile the potatoes up in a triangular shape and cover with straw before covering with a layer of 3-4 inches of soil. High temperatures will encourage sprouting while cold wet conditions will favour the development of rotting diseases. Potatoes that are affected by blight or slugs will continue to deteriorate in the ground but the skin will be more mature. Cut your losses maybe, dig now use as soon as possible and only store those that are really sound and of a good size.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)