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For many, potatoes are their staple food throughout the winter. Also, this vegetable occupies a leading position in the world in the food sector. There are more than one thousand of its varieties. This is explained by the fact that potatoes are adapted to different climatic conditions. However, growing potatoes is one thing; it is quite another matter to store them correctly so that the vegetable does not wither and deteriorate during the winter. For this reason, it is important to know how to properly prepare potatoes before storing them. This article will consider the advice of many summer residents who have considerable experience in this area. Surely the way storing potatoes in different regions of the country will be different. But we will consider the basic tips that relate specifically to the preparatory work.
Storage preparation
The potato preparation process starts from the moment of its harvest. Immediately after cleaning, you must do the following:
- For several hours, the potatoes spill out in the sun. This is necessary to dry it. This is important, because ultraviolet rays kill a large number of fungal and bacterial infections.
- Next, carefully shake the tubers from the existing soil. Sorting by size is then carried out. For example, large for eating. The middle fraction is suitable for future reproduction, and the small fraction for pet food (if there are such ones on the farm).
- If you find a sick potato, then put it aside separately. Especially if the vegetable is affected by late blight, fungus, cancer or other similar diseases, then it must be destroyed.
- At the next stage, all sorted potatoes are treated with an antifungal composition, for example, bactofit, phytosporin or another biological product. After that, the vegetable is dried in the shade.
- After drying, the potatoes are placed in a storage container.
Do I need to wash potatoes before storing
Among gardeners, opinions about whether it is necessary to wash potatoes when preparing them for the winter differ. For example, some argue that preparing potatoes for storage should eliminate this process, since the vegetable will rot very quickly. On the other hand, others argue that washing it will keep potatoes better in winter. And each has its own arguments.
However, it is important to learn one truth here. It doesn't matter whether or not the potatoes are washed, it is important when preparing them for the winter to ensure that they are completely dry. It is in a dry state that it will be stored for a very long time. Moreover, the storage temperature directly affects the quality of its storage. For example, a temperature of no more than 5 degrees Celsius is allowed. Also, the room should be dark with a humidity level of up to 91%. Plus, ventilation of the room or place where potatoes will be stored in winter should be organized. Moreover, the vegetable will spoil very quickly if its layer exceeds one meter. And with all this, it does not matter at all whether you washed it beforehand or not. If you carefully prepare your chosen storage space for the winter, then everything will be fine.
So, let's look at the positive aspects of washed potatoes:
- When preparing for the winter, you can immediately assess the quality of the tubers. When the skin is clean, all the defects are visible on it. As a consequence, at the preparatory stage potatoes for the winter you will immediately filter out all that is spoiled.
- If the preparation for the winter is carried out for sale, then such a vegetable will have a much better presentation. Plus, it's much more enjoyable to work with such products.
- After winter, cleaning up a cellar or other storage area will be much faster.
For the sake of objectivity, let's highlight the disadvantages of this venture:
- If it is poorly dried even at the stage of preparation of the potato, then it can quickly deteriorate.
- The process of preparing potatoes for the winter will be much longer. It may be necessary to involve the whole family in this work.
- A lot of water is needed, especially if you have a good harvest.
- Adequate drying space must be provided.
- It is advisable to have sunny weather, so everything will dry out quickly.
Storage conditions
An important role is played not by the preparation of the vegetable itself, but by the place where it will be stored for the whole winter, and you can also add autumn. Therefore, the choice and preparation of the premises should be approached responsibly. As already mentioned, the preferred temperature is up to 5 ° С, and to be specific, from + 2 ° С to + 4 ° С. This is the temperature that will provide absolute peace of mind to the product. With her, the potatoes do not germinate and do not freeze. If the place is not carefully prepared for winter and the temperature drops, then this can lead to the process of starch formation into sugar. If the temperature rises, then this provokes the appearance of roots.
The bottom of the store should be covered with sand or other material that absorbs moisture. The bottom must never be covered with the following materials:
- Smooth slate.
- A floorboard.
- Linoleum.
- Cement and stuff.
All this can provoke the formation of mold and mildew. When preparing a room for winter, you should also make sure that there will be no ultraviolet rays in it for a long time. Moreover, the presence of artificial light for a long time is not recommended.
So, the store should be:
- Isolated from the penetration of various pests such as slugs, mice and rats.
- It is necessary to treat against fungal and bacterial infections.
Storage method
It is equally important to thoroughly prepare the store for storing potatoes in winter. It is good if you have a prepared cellar, basement, vegetable pit, underground or other storage. There must be shelves in them, and pallets can be placed on the floor to install containers with food.
If you live in an apartment in a city, then the process of preparing potatoes for winter becomes more complicated. Store in nets, bags is not the best solution. For this reason, it is necessary to prepare a special storage for the winter. You can make a special box on the balcony. But here it is important to think carefully about everything. After all, even well-prepared potatoes for winter (processed, dried, etc.) will deteriorate if you have not prepared the chosen place. First of all, the box must be well ventilated. It is necessary to create conditions to maintain a sufficient temperature.
What to store
Preparing potatoes for winter also includes preparing containers for storing them. A large number of summer residents store it in wooden boxes. The only condition is that the boards in it should not be knocked down solid, and there were gaps between them. This will ensure good air circulation. The capacity of such a container can be up to 12 kilograms. This weight is enough, since if there is more, it will be difficult to move the boxes.
In a prepared repository, the installation of boxes must also be carried out correctly. For example, there must be at least 300 mm of empty space between the walls and the drawer itself. So, the distance from the floor is up to 200 mm, from the ceiling up to 600 mm. If boxes are installed side by side, then there should also be a gap between them, at least 150 mm.
There is also another option, for example, to store it in a metal barrel in which small holes are drilled to exchange air.
Preparation errors
So, as you can see, the process of preparing potatoes for winter is complex. It is necessary to prepare not only the product itself, but also the room where it will be stored all winter. Obviously, no one wants to make mistakes that will make all your efforts go to naught. For this reason, we will now look at mistakes to avoid.
So, there are a number of recommendations, which boil down to drying the tubers after digging at a temperature of + 15 ° C in a dark and well-ventilated room. After that, the vegetable goes down to the basement and is brought to a temperature of + 5 ° C. It's important to understand what's wrong with that.
So, many summer residents, listening to this advice, dry potatoes in the shade, in the veranda, under a canopy for a long time. However, all this does not give the desired result, moreover, it can be negative. The scattered light from the sun's rays will constantly penetrate the product. Because of this, it can begin to turn green and accumulate solanine. Solanine refers to a strong poison that is toxic in small doses. Determining its presence is very simple. If the potatoes are bitter, then there is solanine in them, and this is dangerous to health.
For this reason, it is best to organize pitch darkness and away from sunlight for drying potatoes. Considering all this, the conclusion suggests itself: is there any point in taking all these actions if the dug potatoes can be immediately dried in the field, and then sent to a prepared place for storage in winter? So, minimal labor costs are required.
Conclusion
So, here we have reviewed with you all the features of how to prepare potatoes well for storing it in winter, as well as how to properly prepare a storage location. Of course, you know other methods and tips in this matter. You may even disagree with something. And this is not surprising, because the way you prepare for storage in winter may differ depending on the region where you live. You can share your experiences and observations in this matter by leaving comments at the end of this article. Perhaps your preparation method will be more effective, and our readers will be able to use it. We also invite you to watch an interesting video and how the preparation process is performed.
