Storing Potatoes Without Erupting, Shriveling or Bitterness - And You WonÕt Turn Green Either

Oh, did you think we meant the potatoes? Well, we did. Actually, we meant both. Storing potatoes improperly can make both a potato and a person very upset. After all the time and hard work put into preparing the soil, planting potatoes, watching them grow – only to have most of your potato crop ruined because of improper storing – is a shame!

But, it can be avoided if you are willing to learn as much about storing your potatoes, as you know about growing them. There’s a lot more to it than just throwing your crop in a potato onion bin. You have to remember that potatoes are a living and breathing organism. If you treat them as if they were human—your potatoes will have a fighting chance to survive long enough to be eaten!?!

Do Unto Potatoes As You Would Have Them Do Unto You

In other words, put yourself in their shoes. If you’re cold, they’ll be cold. And cold potatoes turn from starch into sugar. If you’re warm, they’ll be warm. And warm potatoes will sprout roots from the eyes. If they’re damp, they are susceptible to fungus and other diseases. If the humidity is too high, they shrink. And if there’s too much light, they will turn green and taste bitter.

So, you’d better know these do’s and don’ts about storing potatoes in bins:

• Avoid rinsing potatoes before storing
• Place potatoes in a brown paper, burlap or plastic bag with holes in it
• Don’t store with onions, when together, they produce gases and both spoil
• Potatoes sprout as a result of exposure to light or warm temperatures
• Don't store potatoes in the refrigerator, or they will become too sweet

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