Potatoes are usually harvested in July until the beginning of September.
Potatoes are ready to harvest when their green, leafy tops turn yellow and wither. Once you dig the potatoes from the ground and brush off the excess soil, they need to be prepared for storage. Curing the potatoes in the proper conditions ensures that the potatoes remain fresh. Once you cure the potatoes, you can remove any that may spoil to prevent damage to all the potatoes. After the potatoes cure, they store best in a cool and with a high humidity level.
Instructions
1. Place harvested potatoes in a temperature between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity needs to remain between 85 to 95 percent. Store the potatoes in this location for two weeks to cure them. Curing the potatoes heals cuts and helps thicken their skins.
2. Examine the cured potatoes after two weeks. Discard potatoes that appear blemished, soft or shriveled, because they may spoil.
3. Store the cured potatoes in a location with a temperature of between 40 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit and a relative humidity about 90 percent. Select a dark location to prevent the potatoes from turning green. A garage or basement works well for storing potatoes.
4. Check the potatoes periodically for signs of spoilage. Remove spoiled potatoes, because they will cause the surrounding potatoes to spoil. Properly stored potatoes will last for up to four months.
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