Content
- 1 When to dig up sweet potatoes in the middle zone, in Siberia, in the Urals
- 2 How to prepare sweet potatoes for storage
- 3 Conditions and terms of storage of sweet potatoes
- 4 Where and how to properly store sweet potatoes
- 5 How to Store Peeled Sweet Potatoes
- 6 Is it possible to store cut sweet potatoes?
- 7 Signs of corruption
- 8 Conclusion
You need to store sweet potatoes at home correctly so that the crop remains fresh for as long as possible and does not spoil. An important point is the timely and competent digging of sweet potatoes and their preparation. The room for storing crops must have a certain temperature and humidity.
When to dig up sweet potatoes in the middle zone, in Siberia, in the Urals
The sweet potato harvest begins in the second half of September. The timing depends on the region, its climate, and the ripening time of a particular variety.
In the middle zone, the harvest is harvested in the second half of September. If the weather is favorable, the work can be done in early October.
In the Urals, crop harvesting begins in the first days of autumn. In Siberia, it is permissible to start in mid-August.
Sweet potatoes are dug up only in dry weather, since their tubers are brittle and easily damaged in wet soil.
The optimal time for harvesting is when the soil temperature drops to 10 °C. It is important to be in time before the rains and the first frosts. The temperature at night should be at least 6 °C.
Readiness for harvesting is indicated by yellowing of the above-ground parts and tubers. Watering the beds should be stopped two weeks in advance.
When harvesting sweet potatoes, careful handling is important. You can’t shake it too much or throw it around. To remove from the ground, it is better to use a fork with long teeth.
If you dig up tubers in rainy weather or after frost, they will be oversaturated with moisture and will quickly deteriorate.
How to prepare sweet potatoes for storage
After harvesting the sweet potatoes, you need to decide whether washing is necessary. Its skin is delicate, so it is easily damaged during this procedure. Usually, washing is resorted to when the harvest is planned to be sold. To prevent fungal diseases, sweet potatoes can be immersed in an iodine solution for half an hour - 5 ml per 10 liters of water.
If washing is not planned, then the tubers need to be dried directly in the beds. When the weather permits, it is recommended to leave the harvest outdoors for up to 1-1.5 weeks. Prolonged drying has a positive effect on taste.
In any case, the collected tubers are cleaned of dirt. Before storage, it is recommended to sort sweet potatoes by size into 2-3 groups. Different varieties should also be kept separately.
Storing sweet potatoes after harvest in the first week requires a warm room and humidity of 80-90%. The best temperature is 30-35 °C. Under such storage conditions, the skin will become denser and the damage will be delayed. Proper preparation increases shelf life.
Conditions and terms of storage of sweet potatoes
Storing sweet potato tubers in winter requires a certain temperature and humidity level in the room. The following conditions are optimal:
- temperature 15-18°C;
- humidity 50-60%;
- good ventilation.
If the temperature in the storage room is below 10-12 °C, the risk of tuber rotting increases. The harvest will simply begin to deteriorate. Temperatures between 20-22 °C cause sweet potatoes to germinate. High humidity during storage causes rotting. Too dry air has a bad effect on the keeping quality of the crop.
It is quite possible to preserve sweet potatoes from autumn to spring. If appropriate conditions are provided, sweet potatoes can be stored for 6-8 months without loss. Then it begins to fade. The flesh will be sweeter, but not as juicy. The skin will lose its elasticity, which creates difficulties when cleaning the tubers.
If you need to preserve the crop only until February, you can keep it in a cool room. It should be borne in mind that when exposed to heat, the tubers will quickly begin to germinate. This storage option is appropriate when cuttings are planned.
The keeping quality of the crop is low; studies have shown that the preservation of 50-60% of the crop is a good indicator for most varieties
Where and how to properly store sweet potatoes
Cellars and refrigerators are not suitable for storing sweet potatoes (short-term only). The harvest can be successfully placed in an apartment, storage room or any other room that meets the temperature and humidity requirements.
Storing sweet potatoes at home requires proper placement. The following options are optimal:
- racks, shelves;
- boxes made of wood or plastic;
- strong cardboard boxes;
- paper bags.
If you choose containers for storage, then only perforated ones or make holes in them yourself. Tubers are not laid in bulk. This way they will spoil quickly. It is optimal to lay out vegetables in one layer.
Sweet potato tubers are wrapped or lined with paper.It will absorb moisture and therefore requires periodic replacement. Instead of paper, you can use bulk materials:
- sand;
- sawdust.
If the tubers are intended for propagation, then they can be treated before storage in a special solution - 2 tbsp. l. dolomite flour per 1 liter of water. The sweet potato is dipped in the prepared liquid, dried and stored in a suitable place.
It is recommended to eat sweet potatoes no earlier than after a month of storage - the starch is gradually converted into sugar, improving the taste of the tubers
How to Store Peeled Sweet Potatoes
Unlike regular potatoes, peeled sweet potatoes darken in air, so there is no need to immerse them in water. Storage in hermetically sealed containers or bags is also not recommended - free access of air is necessary. It is recommended to store peeled sweet potatoes for no more than two weeks.
You can boil the peeled tubers for 15-20 minutes and freeze - in slices or as a puree. An alternative option is to blanch the potatoes cut into rings for 2-3 minutes. Such preparations can be stored for up to 10-12 months. Be sure to place the sweet potatoes in an airtight container or bag and put them in the freezer only after they have cooled completely.
Is it possible to store cut sweet potatoes?
If the sweet potato is cut with a shovel during harvesting, it is not suitable for long-term storage.Such tubers are primarily used as food. For temporary preservation, they are placed in a cool room, and the sections are sprinkled with ash.
It is recommended to store peeled and chopped sweet potatoes for no more than a day - you can put them in cold water
Signs of corruption
During storage, sweet potatoes must be regularly inspected in order to promptly identify damage and remove damaged specimens. Otherwise, the losses will be much greater. The following signs indicate that sweet potatoes have spoiled during storage:
- the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
- darkened areas;
- germination;
- mucus on the skin;
- wrinkled peel;
- loss of elasticity.
Conclusion
You can store sweet potatoes at home without loss until spring, and sometimes until summer. It is important to ensure the correct temperature and humidity, properly prepare the harvest, and regularly inspect the tubers.
