Don't forget to cover the tops of the bags so that light doesn't reach the taters -- you don't want them to turn green. Actually, most pantries are too warm for long-term spud storage. They will keep best if stored at about 40* - and if you can find some nice dry straw, use it to layer between the taters to help prevent spoilage. I have no basement/cellar or garage, so I store the extra taters in metal [trash] cans, buried in the garden. I pile up several huge bags of leaves on top, for insulation which can be easily removed even in snow. Then I bring in just enough to use over a couple weeks, leaving the rest in their cool cans. BTW, don't use plastic cans... hungry critters will joyfully chew through plastic to get to the tubers.

I am awed and amazed after reading meldy's process for keeping 'taters/spuds. And shivery at the thought of all that snow!

I'm purely guessing that the hungry beasties would be rats and mice. Do they cause much damage?

I'd probably store main-crop potatoes in big jute bags in a cool shed, though it's been a while since I grew a main crop (compared with new potatoes for a treat). The mousies weren't a big problem, though.

I admire greenfingers's innovation for storing her first spuds. What do other zone 9 people do?

Hi Meldy,

Thanks for the tip on using straw between spud layers, will have to see what I can get hold of. I did put the majority of bags into our garage for storage after I initially read your post and just kept one bag in pantry for immediate use (those I speared with the fork!).

Can't imagine having to retrieve potatoes in the snow! It gives a whole new meaning to foraging doesn't it!!!! A rat has moved into my garden shed - which is why the spuds are in the garage. It would have been the ideal place to store the spuds, but I wasn't going to loose my hard work to one rodent!!!! I was always told never to use plastic buckets as they retain moisture and increase the risk for rot - but never gave a thought to them being eaten out!

GF