Most often experienced growers store potatoes in the cellar in winter. With the proper equipment of the premises and compliance with certain rules, the tubers will survive without problems until spring in excellent condition.
However, you need to know that excessive humidity or dry air adversely affect the potato. Most often, we store potatoes in our cellar. Thus, in the spring it will be possible to plant potatoes for the new season, and all winter you can eat good tubers. So, you need to know how to arrange a place in the cellar for storing potatoes. Consider how many degrees should be in the room and other important nuances of proper storage.
How to store potatoes in the winter?
One of the most important factors is the place where potatoes will be stored. The place should be dark and cool.
To preserve the vegetable until spring, do not forget about airing and drying the room. Experts advise to whiten the walls of the cellar - this prevents the appearance of mold. Also in the room with potatoes should not be crevices and holes.
What should be the air temperature?
The optimum temperature for the root - in the range of + 2 ... +4 degrees Celsius. If it is high, then the vegetable will begin to grow rapidly, lose moisture and fade. And if the temperature drops to zero or below, then over time the tubers will become sweetish in taste and slimy during preparation.
Storage methods
You can store potatoes in the cellar in different ways, for example, in bulk, in boxes or bags. Everyone chooses for himself the best option. But to all these methods there are general rules for preparing the cellar.
Before you bring the potatoes inside, it is necessary to disinfect the room. A solution of copper sulphate and lime will do. You can also use a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate. Then the cellar is dried. Take care of good ventilation. Next, select the storage method.
When storing in bulk, you should consider some of the nuances:
- This method is good if the crop is small;
- hitting just a few rotten fruits can take away most of the potatoes.
The next type of storage is in boxes. Perhaps the most convenient and secure. They are easy to carry if necessary, they are compact and take up less space, they allow air to pass through perfectly.
Sometimes used bags, but only made from natural materials.. Such bags are well ventilated. If a rotten tuber has appeared, it is not at all scary, since rot does not spread beyond the limits of the bag. Proper storage is only possible if you have complied with all the rules.
How to prepare the room?
Start training is worth the summer. First, open the cellar and dry it well. Since the cellar freezes through the winter, it should be insulated to get the permissible temperature for storing potatoes.
Sheets of foam must be sheathed wall, which is above the level of soil freezing. These sheets are fixed with glue or foam. The roof should be made of wood, the edges need to be warmed.
In this case, the frost will not make its way through the walls of the cellar.
How to make bulk storage with your own hands?
Bulk cellar - an excellent solution if you grow vegetables or fruits in large quantities. It is created using a special technology, so a favorable temperature will be maintained there.
To get started, choose the right place. The cellar should be dry and elevated.. The entrance is located on the north side. By the choice of material approach wisely.
Best suited:
- tree;
- brick;
- slate.
After selecting the material proceed to the construction. First, clear the area and remove the topsoil. Then we make a kind of foundation of clay. Next, pour rubble and pour all the bitumen on top. When everything is dry, proceed to the construction of the walls. It is worth starting with the frame.
After its construction we sheathe the box with a tree and strengthen it with a brick. Before you make the roof, you must conduct thermal insulation. For this suitable mineral insulation. After that, cover the whole structure on top with a mixture of straw and clay.
The roof should be made of wooden beams, metal plates or concrete slabs. After all the work is completed, we fill the cellar with earth. Pay attention to the slope, it should be 45 degrees. Then the construction is again covered with roofing felt and covered with earth by 8-10 cm. This is the end of all the work, it remains only to restore order inside.
Common mistakes
- Temperature conditions are not observed.
- Excessive moisture in the cellar.
- Lack of ventilation.
- Do not move the tubers in the winter.
- The room is not ventilated on time.
- in the winter in the apartment;
- in the refrigerator in water in a purified form;
- in the fridge in raw, fried and boiled form;
- without peel;
- on the balcony in winter;
- in the vegetable store.
Conclusion
Understanding how to store potatoes in the cellar is simple. The main thing is to periodically check the temperature and humidity in the room. It is necessary in time to carry out the fight against pests, mold and fungi. Proper stacking, storage and compliance with all precautions - the key to preserving potatoes whole, beautiful and unharmed!
