Howdy John - Yup, I will be planting next week for harvest in late March early April. Can't plant this weekend as I have BSA Woodbadge and will not be around. As you know extended storage is a problem here in the Deep South. I grow Yukon Golds and Red LaSoda primarily. This yr. I am going to play with some All Blues. I prefer to let the plants die off naturally and then harvest them as they tend to store better. If it looks like a wet yr. I mow down the tops and then dig them up about a week later. After we pick them out of the field (bucket brigade) we store them in an old corn crib to air dry for about 2 wks. This old corn crib is shaded and in March/April the temps are around 60-65° F. DO NOT WASH THEM! For me this is quickest way to start them rotting and lose most of your crop not mention that nasty smell! Just knock off the dirt and let them sit to allow cuts, nicks etc. to scab over and bruises to heal. At some time I want to build a long term storage location but right now we just eat them fresh as long as we can. We can up most them in quart jars using pressure canner. They keep well this way in the pantry. The problem with long term storage down here is that you need to keep temps around around 38-40° F. with high humidity and and ventilation. Your talking lots of electricity vs. gas burner and pressure cooker. FWIW that is what I do - repeat each yr.
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