“White” or Peruvian potatoes (sometimes called Irish potatoes) are stem tubers in the nightshade family; sweet potatoes are root tubers in the Morning Glory family. This article is about Peruvian potatoes, not sweet potatoes.
Curing potatoes
Potatoes are cured enough for storage when the skins don’t rub off. It’s best to leave the potatoes in the ground for two weeks after the tops die, whether naturally or because of mowing, if you want them to store. When the potatoes are harvested after the skins have toughened, there will be less damage during harvest. Curing allows skins to harden and some of the starches to convert to sugars. These changes help the tubers to store for months.
When potatoes first go into storage, they are still “alive” and respiring, and need fresh air frequently. They will heat up if left closed in, and could develop black centers, where the cells die from lack of oxygen.
Storing newly harvested potatoes
For the first two weeks after harvest, the root cellar or other storage space will need 6-9 hours of ventilation every two or three days. The temperature goal is 60°F–75°F (16°C–24°C), with 95% humidity. Ventilate when the temperature is 0–20F (0–11C) cooler than your goal: in the daytime if nights are too cold and days are mild; at night if nights are mild and days too warm. If it is very damp in there, ventilate more.
Two weeks after harvest, sort all the potatoes. By this time, any which are going to rot have likely started doing so. Restack, remembering to keep airspace between the crates and walls. For weeks 2–4, the temperature goal is 50°F (10°C) and fresh air is needed about once a week.
Photo Nina Gentle
Long term potato storage
After week 4 in winter, cool to 40°F (5°C); in summer, below 50°F (10°C). Ventilation for air exchange is no longer needed, as the tubers have become dormant. The final long-term storage conditions are cool and fairly moist, 40°F–50°F (5°C–10°C), 85%–90% humidity—a root cellar is ideal. Below 40°F (5°C) some starches convert to sugars, giving the potatoes a bad flavor and causing them to blacken if fried. Try hard to avoid having the cellar cool down, then warm up. That causes the potatoes to sprout.
Pre-sprouting seed potatoes
Potatoes have a dormant period of 4–8 weeks after harvest before they will sprout. The warmer the conditions after dormancy ends, the quicker they will sprout. If you want potatoes to sprout during the dormant period, trick them by refrigerating for 16 days, then pre-sprouting them in the light.
We routinely “chit” or pre-sprout our seed potatoes before planting. Bring the seed potatoes into a warm, well-lit room around 65°F–70°F (18°C–21°C) and set them upright in shallow boxes, rose end up, stem (belly-button) down, for 2–4 weeks in spring, 1–2 weeks in summer. For summer planting, store your seed potatoes in a cool place at 45°F–50°F (7°C–10°C) until 2 weeks before your planting date, then sprout them.
Photo Kati Falger
The effects of ethylene
Ethylene is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless gas produced by many fruits and vegetables, but it can also be produced by faulty heating units and combustion engines. Propane heaters should not be used, as propane combustion produces ethylene. Incomplete combustion of organic fuels can result in the production of carbon monoxide, ethylene and other byproducts. Do not use any unvented hydrocarbon fuel heaters near stored produce.
Ethylene is associated with ripening, sprouting and rotting. Some crops produce ethylene in storage—apples, cantaloupes, ripening tomatoes, already-sprouting potatoes all produce higher than average amounts. Chilling, wounding and pathogen attack can all induce ethylene formation in damaged crops.
Some crops, including most cut greens, are not sensitive to ethylene and can be stored in the same space as ethylene-producing crops. Other crops are very sensitive and will deteriorate in a high-ethylene environment. Potatoes will sprout, ripe fruits will go over the top, carrots lose their sweetness and become bitter.
Summary: Potatoes are more likely to sprout if they are more than 4–8 weeks after harvest; in the light; near fruits, vegetables, flowers or malfunctioning propane or natural gas heaters that produce ethylene; too warm, or warm after being cool. Potato sprouts are toxic, see my earlier article.
Photo Wren Vile