Topic: Storing Potatoes

[tuinman]

Hello allotmenteers,
I would like to build a wooden box to store my potatoes in this year but i'm not sure how to go about it. has anyone done this and if so have you the plan for it, and should it be insulated?

Thanks

[Tee Gee]

A couple of questions;


I would like to build a wooden box to store my potatoes

Do you plan keeping the box in doors (frost free)?

and should it be insulated?

This will be dependant upon your answer to the first question.

Be careful here because if you keep them too warm the might sweat and rot, the secret is 'cool & dry'

I just go down to our local seed merchants and get a few second hand paper bags turn them inside out in case the previous contents affect my potatoes, fill the bags and put them under the greenhouse bench or in the garage.

Mines generally keep to around April this way.

[tuinman]

I was planing to put them in my shed at home (does get a little cold)

[Robert_Brenchley]

Whatever you store them in, make sure it can breathe.

[Slug_killer]

I just visit my local chippy and ask for a few used potato bags. They always work well stuffed in the garage, and are disposable/replacable when empty.

[Curryandchips]

Doh ! Never thought of asking at the chippie, I have lovingly hung onto some old sacks for years ...

Derek :)

[kt.]

I have never stored spuds before due to never growing lates. I intend to store mine in hessian sacks. Made from similar stuff to that of green string.

[supersprout]

Excellent wheeze @ the chippy slug_killer, thank you :)

[cornykev]

I also have hessian sacks loads of them. ;D ;D ;D

[dave]

also watch out for rats- they can chew though most things if they want to and they usually do
be aware that even if you don't have rats now, the potatoes may attract them

d

[sweet-pea]

I store mine in cardboard boxes in our shed, and they seem to keep ok. 

SP x

[laurieuk]

I buy peanuts for the birds in 25kg bags and as these are  woven plastic they allow the potatoes to breathe. They seem to last a good few years.

[saddad]

Mine are in Hessian Sacks in the Outside Loo... the only real problems are mice (25 so far) and not being to use the loo when out in the allotments!
 ;D

[cornykev]

Laurie did you say a few years. :o :o :o ;D

[tim]

Dave - and mice!!

[kt.]

also watch out for rats- they can chew though most things if they want to and they usually do
be aware that even if you don't have rats now, the potatoes may attract them

Such a bearer of bad news.... Do you lose many spuds or veg to rats. My chicken feed and mixed corn would be stored in the same shed. Has been all winter. Not come aacross any as yet. Fingers crossed.

[laurieuk]

Sorry cornykev ,I did mean the sacks last  a few years not the potatoes. 8) 8)

Laurie did you say a few years. :o :o :o ;D

[nenerover]

Hi all,
        for a few years now I've put my washed pots in Hessian sacks and to keep the mice of I put the sacks inside a metal dustbin with the lid off. Still got a sack of King Eddies left although there are a few starting to chit but still taste brill. (they are in the garage.
regards Peter.

[sawfish]

I tie up my hessian sackfulls of tatties and attach them to my shed ceiling with a strong screw. This keeps them away from mice and gives more floor space.

[Grant]

Definitely watch out for rats.  they do not just eat one, they will have a nibble on your entire stock.  Going to invest in a couple of the metal bins with lids for next season.  Last of the spuds gone because rats chewed through the thick black plastic bin they were in.