They’re incredibly flexible, fun and easy to work with. It’s always wise to keep a bunch of extra spuds on hand. In fact, one study found that storing potatoes in cool temperatures more than quadrupled their shelf life, compared to storing them at room temperature ( 3). Cold temperatures cause the potato starch to convert into sugar inside, making them too starchy and mealy. Keep them seperate This temperature range is slightly warmer than refrigeration and can be found in cool cellars, basements, garages or sheds. While cooked and cooled potatoes have some health benefits, they should be eaten within three or four days to avoid spoilage and food poisoning ( 28). Summary

I have often used deep holes dug in the garden for temporary potato storage, but it is not a long-term solution because the potatoes tend to develop skin issues that are rare when potatoes are kept in dry storage. I tried storing potatoes in a buried garbage can, which should have worked but did not. The potatoes inside stayed too damp and went gooey, which could have been due to many factors, including my own mistakes. Specialized Refrigeration Firm to the touch: Soft potatoes have already begun to degrade, so look for firm, bright qualities.The ideal temperature for potato storage is about 45 to 50ºF (7 to 10ºC), which will be cooler than the temperature at which homegrown potatoes were cured. The shelf life of a potato really depends on how it's stored. A fresh, blemish-free potato that is kept under ideal conditions can keep for several months. Not sure how to use your well-preserved potatoes? Never fear! You can freeze potatoes, or cook them up whenever the mood takes you. You’ve never really got too many potatoes, only limitless options for your next meal. Need some inspiration for how to use your spuds? Here are our top seven ways to use up leftover potatoes.

Potatoes go green when exposed to light. The green bit contains toxins, so is not safe to eat: however, if you ensure it’s thoroughly removed before cooking, the rest of the spud is edible. As potatoes are best stored in cool, dark places, spuds are best stored inside a kitchen cupboard or even in your unheated basement. Remember to follow the tips for storing them inside a mesh bag or cardboard box for proper air circulation. Why shouldn’t you keep potatoes in the fridge? Remove any rotting potatoes (which, hopefully, you won’t have!). If there is any rotting potatoes (you’ll smell ‘em!) then just remove them and wipe up any extra moisture that’s leaked out onto other potatoes. For storage potatoes, moisture means certain death. So keep it dry, baby. Leaving potatoes to rest on the countertop might cause too much sun exposure, leading to excessive chlorophyll production which colors your potatoes green. The presence of a green color on potatoes speeds up spoilage. Apart from the green color, this may also lead to the potatoes growing sprouts which will make the potatoes inedible.I kept 50 pounds of fingerling potatoes at our house to eat through the Fall, since they don’t store quite as well as the larger storage varieties. Combined with those we freshly dug out of the garden all summer, these fingerlings have provided us with all of our potato needs since last June! Incredible! It’s so rewarding to grab a few pounds of potatoes for supper. Here we are, middle of January, and we’ve still got a lot of potatoes in storage! Now, remember what I said about how they loose their luster? Here’s what I mean: