How to Store Potatoes Underground for Winter

The humble potato may be easily stored for the duration of the winter.

Potatoes, which are among the most robust vegetables, do not perish easily. Whether harvested from a garden or purchased in bulk, they may be stored for use throughout the winter months and beyond. Placed in a dark, cool environment, potatoes may be kept for up to 10 months. If you do not have a basement or root cellar, you may use a more traditional storage method: Place your potatoes in an underground pit. Does this Spark an idea?

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Shovel
Gravel
Newspapers
Straw
Tarp
Large rocks

Instructions

- 1
  
  Spread the potatoes across sheets of newspaper. Arrange them so they do not touch each other to encourage the circulation of air around the tubers. Cover the potatoes with additional sheets of newspaper and leave them for one week. This curing time will help toughen the skins, protecting the potato from the damaging effects of cold winter weather.
- 2
  
  Choose a site for the potato pit. Select a spot that is in partial to full shade, as this will help to keep the potatoes cool. Dig a hole approximately 3 feet deep and 4 to 6 feet wide. Cover the bottom of the hole with 2 inches of gravel.
- 3
  
  Spread a layer of 3 or 4 inches of straw across the bottom of the pit. Place the potatoes on top of the straw, setting them close together to form a single layer.
- 4
  
  Create additional layers, alternating potatoes and straw. Double-check to ensure all of the potatoes in a given section are completely covered by at least 3 inches of straw before adding the next layer. The straw insulates the tubers and protects them from both cold and moisture.
- 5
  
  Top the final layer of straw with 8 to 12 inches of garden soil. Pull a tarp across the top of the pit. Secure the ends of the tarp with large rocks and cover the tarp with 6 to 8 inches of straw or dry leaves.

Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

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How to Store Potatoes Underground for Winter

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