What's the best way to store produce?

[Nicky]

I've ripened my butternut squash - thanks to everyone on the advice for that. I've also got marrows, shalotts and potatos.

I've got to get some shelves to put it on in either the garage or the shed - both of which are dark so what's the best sort of shelves to get?
I can't decide between the wooden slatted ones and the wire ones you get in the mini greenhouses....
I've got the shallots in net bags and the potatos in paper sacks to keep out the light but they need to be put somewhere safe.

[roitelet]

Wooden slatted ones are the ones I would go for. You need to think about weight and I wouldnt think that the wire ones are strong enough and will bend in time. Also the wooden ones can be made to fit the space available.

[rustylady]

Whatever you can beg, borrow or buy as long as they allow for air circulation. I have a few of the wire veggie baskets (3 tier) suspended from the beams in the garage. I also have wire shelving from deceased small plastic greenhouses which serve well. If you're building your own, I would go for wooden slatted shelves, but remember to keep them clean.

[Vegmonkey]

Hiya, try freecycle. Just put it into google. Then you can take all other people old shelving units away. I got one and turned it into a lovely greenhouse...for free! Got one in the shed too.

[simonytfc]

Hi, not really responding to your question but does anyone know how long potatoes will store if kept in the right conditions? Im asking this because, Im interested in saving some of my maincrop from this year to plant again as maincrop next year. Any advice and help welcome.

Thanks

[Snadger]

Hi, not really responding to your question but does anyone know how long potatoes will store if kept in the right conditions? Im asking this because, Im interested in saving some of my maincrop from this year to plant again as maincrop next year. Any advice and help welcome.

Thanks

Its just a question of temperature! Keep the frost off and store them in the light if you want strong shoots on them. I have some of my tatties (earlies and lates) in trays on a greenhouse shelf that I hope to use for next year. Not recommended I know but I WILL buy a few certified seed tatties as well!

[simonytfc]

Its just a question of temperature! Keep the frost off and store them in the light if you want strong shoots on them. I have some of my tatties (earlies and lates) in trays on a greenhouse shelf that I hope to use for next year. Not recommended I know but I WILL buy a few certified seed tatties as well!

Would people recommend to store the potatoes in the light now to sprout or to keep them in the dark and them chit them next year?

[Flummery]

If you keep them in the dark they'll be likely to sprout with long thin, white, whippy shoots - which will break off. Keeping them in the light means short, dark green, tough little sprouts.

[Snadger]

Would people recommend to store the potatoes in the light now to sprout or to keep them in the dark and them chit them next year?

My logic is that being in the light it greens the potatoes, hardens the skins and if they start to chit they will be strong green shoots? I think the only reason the seed potatoes you buy are kept in the dark for miost of the Winter is because it would cost a lot more to store them in a single layer, in trays in the light? Could be wrong though!

[simonytfc]

So if you leave them in the light now, they will be ok to plant next year as a maincrop?

[Snadger]

So if you leave them in the light now, they will be ok to plant next year as a maincrop?

Yep..............hopefully! Unless someone else knows differently!