Preserving Your Potato Harvest: Tips for Long-Lasting Storage
Growing potatoes is just half the battle; the real challenge lies in storing your harvest to enjoy through winter, spring, and possibly even summer. Experienced gardeners have unveiled a secret technique to ensure that your potatoes are stored properly.
Maximizing Your Harvest’s Lifespan
Every gardener aims to preserve their harvest to the fullest, but often, tubers begin to wrinkle or rot even before winter sets in. Fortunately, there is a simple trick that can help solve this problem.
Using Plants to Prolong Storage
Certain plants have the ability to extend the storage life of potatoes, keeping the tubers from spoiling and allowing them to last longer.
We’ve previously discussed the best methods for planting and growing potatoes to avoid pests and diseases. The key to long-term storage is to store your potatoes with rowan leaves and beets.
Proper Storage Conditions
It’s also essential to ensure that your cellar has adequate ventilation and maintains a suitable temperature—ideally up to +5 degrees Celsius.
Cover the potatoes with rowan leaves, and make sure the top 1-2 layers consist of beets. Beets help keep the potatoes firm and absorb excess moisture. However, it’s crucial to only store healthy tubers free of rot, as a single infected potato can spoil the entire harvest.
