Hi,

I would like to know how one should preserve the potatoes? Should the soil
be removed altogether or left? Does washing of potatoes make them prune to
rotting?


--
Rajinder Nijjhar, M.Sc.
0118 962 3200; Fax:-0118 962 3003.

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Chaudhry Nijjhar wrote:
Hi,

I would like to know how one should preserve the potatoes? Should the soil
be removed altogether or left? Does washing of potatoes make them prune to
rotting?

Definitely don't wash them: as you suggest, it will impair keeping.
Even brushing the soil off too vigorously can damage the skin. Exclude
the slightest trace of light, and store in a dry and cool but
frost-free place with some ventilation. Cardboard boxes inside
cardboard boxes and then covered with more cardboard or old carpet are
what I've always used. If you've got an awful lot of potatoes and a lot
of space, search potato clamp and you'll probably find instructions
for old-style outdoor storage.

--
Mike.

"Chaudhry Nijjhar" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I would like to know how one should preserve the potatoes? Should the
soil be removed altogether or left? Does washing of potatoes make them
prune to rotting?


Don't wash them only brush the dirt off lightly. Store in the dark below
about 10 0C but not with frost. the place should be dry and well ventilated.
I use a couple of layers of hessian sacks, which is fairly traditional.
other breathable containers would probably work, but plastic probably won't

Gill

Mike Lyle wrote:
Definitely don't wash them: as you suggest, it will impair keeping.
Even brushing the soil off too vigorously can damage the skin. Exclude
the slightest trace of light, and store in a dry and cool but
frost-free place with some ventilation. Cardboard boxes inside
cardboard boxes and then covered with more cardboard or old carpet are
what I've always used. If you've got an awful lot of potatoes and a lot
of space, search potato clamp and you'll probably find instructions
for old-style outdoor storage.

I'm experimenting - I've lifted many when the soil was really wet and
took double the weight of potatoes in mud around them. I laid them on
the table to dry and then I've put them in a wicker sack still with the
dry mud around (quite a thin layer on them) and they've been kept there
for ages. None have sprouted. I supose the mud keeps the light from the
spuds. I'll see if I can keep them like this till xmas.

"Gill Matthews" account I no longer have
wrote in message ...

"Chaudhry Nijjhar" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I would like to know how one should preserve the potatoes? Should
the
soil be removed altogether or left? Does washing of potatoes make
them
prune to rotting?


Don't wash them only brush the dirt off lightly. Store in the dark
below
about 10 0C but not with frost. the place should be dry and well
ventilated.
I use a couple of layers of hessian sacks, which is fairly
traditional.
other breathable containers would probably work, but plastic probably
won't

Gill

A dark cool cellar and covered with straw would make an ideal storage
space, but it is unlikely that you will have such facilities. However,
that will give you a feeling of what is required. A cool, dark, garage
floor would also suffice.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.

Many thanks for the suggestions.

Rajinder


"Martin" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 18 Oct 2006 19:58:19 +0100, "Gill Matthews"
account I no longer have wrote:


"Chaudhry Nijjhar" wrote in message
...
Hi,

I would like to know how one should preserve the potatoes? Should the
soil be removed altogether or left? Does washing of potatoes make them
prune to rotting?


Don't wash them only brush the dirt off lightly. Store in the dark below
about 10 0C but not with frost. the place should be dry and well
ventilated.
I use a couple of layers of hessian sacks, which is fairly traditional.
other breathable containers would probably work, but plastic probably
won't

In Yorkshire in the 1940s, when I was a kid, potatoes were stored in
potato clamps, sort of piles covered in straw and then earth AFAIR.
How does that work? There's an engraving here.
http://collection.britishcouncil.org...ection=/theme/
--

Martin