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It is necessary to store sweet potatoes at home correctly so that the crop remains fresh for as long as possible and does not deteriorate. An important point is the timely and competent digging of sweet potatoes, its preparation. In the storage room, the crop must have a certain temperature and humidity.
When to dig sweet potato in the middle lane, in Siberia, in the Urals
Harvest sweet potatoes begin in the second half of September. The timing depends on the region, its climate, the ripening time of a particular variety.
In the middle lane, the crop is harvested in the second half of September. If the weather is favorable, then work can be done in early October.
In the Urals, crop harvesting begins from the first days of autumn. In Siberia, it is permissible to start from mid-August.
Dig up sweet potatoes only in dry weather, because the 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 have time before the rains and the first frosts. The temperature at night should be at least 6 °C.
The readiness for harvesting is indicated by the yellowing of the aerial parts and tubers. Watering the beds should be stopped in two weeks.
When harvesting sweet potatoes, gentle handling is important. You can not shake it strongly, throw it. For extraction from the ground, it is better to use a pitchfork with long teeth.
If you dig up the tubers in rainy weather or after frost, they will be oversaturated with moisture and quickly deteriorate.
How to prepare sweet potatoes for storage
After picking sweet potatoes, you need to decide if you need to wash them. His skin is tender, so it is easy to damage it during this procedure. Usually, washing is resorted to when it is planned to sell the crop. 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 right on the beds. When the weather allows, 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, sweet potatoes are recommended to be sorted by size into 2-3 groups. Different varieties should be kept separately.
Storing sweet potatoes after harvest in the first week involves a warm room and humidity of 80-90%. The best temperature is 30-35°C. Under such storage conditions, the skin will become denser, the damage will heal. Competent preparation increases keeping quality.
Conditions and terms of storage of sweet potato
Storing sweet potato tubers in winter implies a certain temperature and humidity level in the room. The optimal conditions are:
- 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 rot increases. The harvest will simply start to deteriorate. Temperatures between 20-22°C lead to the germination of sweet potatoes. High humidity during storage causes rotting. It has a bad effect on the keeping quality of the crop and too dry air.
It is quite possible to save sweet potatoes from autumn to spring. Under the right conditions, sweet potatoes lie without loss for 6-8 months. Then he starts to fade. The flesh will be sweeter, but not as juicy. The skin will lose elasticity, which makes it difficult to clean the tubers.
If you need the safety of the crop only until February, then 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 culture is low, studies have shown that the safety of 50-60% of the crop is a good indicator for most varieties.
Where and how to store sweet potato
Cellars and refrigerators are not suitable for storing sweet potatoes (only for a short time). The crop can be successfully placed in an apartment, pantry or any other room that meets the requirements for temperature and humidity.
Storing sweet potatoes at home involves its proper placement. The best options are:
- 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. The tubers are not laid in bulk. So they will spoil quickly. It is optimal to spread vegetables in one layer.
Sweet potato tubers are wrapped or lined with paper. It will absorb moisture, therefore it requires periodic replacement. Bulk materials can be used instead of paper:
- sand;
- sawdust.
If the tubers are intended for reproduction, then they can be processed before storage in a special solution – 2 tbsp. l. dolomite flour per 1 liter of water. Sweet potatoes are dipped in the prepared liquid, dried and put away in a suitable place.
It is recommended to eat sweet potatoes no earlier than after a month of storage – starch is gradually converted into sugar, improving the taste of tubers
How to store peeled sweet potatoes
Unlike ordinary potatoes, peeled sweet potatoes darken in the air, so it does not need to be immersed in water. Storage in hermetically sealed containers or bags is also not recommended – free air access is required. Peeled sweet potatoes are recommended to be stored for no more than two weeks.
You can boil the peeled tubers for 15-20 minutes and freeze – in slices or in the form of mashed potatoes. An alternative option is to blanch the potatoes cut into rings for 2-3 minutes. You can store such blanks for up to 10-12 months. Be sure to place the sweet potato in an airtight container or bag, put it in the freezer only after it has completely cooled.
Can you store cut sweet potatoes?
If the sweet potato is cut with a shovel during harvesting, then it is not suitable for long-term storage. These tubers are primarily edible. For temporary preservation, they are put in a cool room, and the sections are sprinkled with ashes.
Peeled and chopped sweet potatoes are recommended to be stored for no more than a day – you can put it in cold water
Signs of corruption
Sweet potatoes during storage must be regularly inspected in order to promptly identify damage and remove the affected specimens. Otherwise, the losses will be much greater. The following signs indicate spoilage of sweet potatoes 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 harvested crop, and regularly inspect the tubers.
