Useful recommendations on what and at what temperature to store potatoes on the balcony in winter
Storing a fresh potato harvest in a city apartment is not an easy task. A balcony can be used as a compact vegetable storage.
But in order for the tubers not to disappear, it is necessary to organize the storage location according to all the rules. It is also important to properly prepare the vegetables themselves.
We will tell you in the article under what conditions and temperatures it is necessary to store potatoes on the balcony.
Content
Storage options at home
Storing potato supplies on the balcony is preferable to storing them in the kitchen or room due to the possibility of creating more favorable conditions and the availability of free space for a small warehouse.
An open loggia is not suitable for this purpose. It is necessary to have glazing and insulation on the balcony.
To keep the potatoes for 4-6 months, It is recommended to follow a number of rules:
The temperature in the storage should be about +2-+3? C, acceptable - up to +6? C and should not fall below the minimum mark of 1.5? C.- Air humidity should be up to 50%.
- Protection from light (natural and artificial).
- Availability of ventilation.
- Protection from dust and dirt.
- Protection from precipitation.
- Protection against penetration of insects and animals.
Violation of the temperature regime in the direction of increase can lead to germination and drying of root crops, in the direction of decrease - to freezing of the vegetable.
If the loggia is too warm, it is necessary to provide cooling for the potatoes. Higher than normal humidity will promote rotting, lower - will lead to overdrying and wrinkling of the fruit.
Protection from light is a very important rule. This is explained by the fact that when illuminated, the substance solanine begins to form in the tubers, which is very harmful to health. At the same time, the tubers themselves begin to turn green. This vegetable should not be eaten, as it can lead to poisoning. Details - in this article.
Containers for potatoes
The small area of the balcony of a city apartment imposes significant restrictions on the choice of packaging. It should not only provide all the necessary storage conditions, but also be compact. An overview of potato storage boxes is presented in this And this article.
Wooden box without heating
Storing potatoes on an insulated balcony Can be organized even in a regular wooden box with a lid. This storage option is suitable for balconies where the temperature in winter is within the required range.
The most functional option is a box made according to your own measurements. This approach will allow you to make the most efficient use of the usable area and accommodate a sufficient amount of supplies. Taking into account the type of balcony, you can equip a very convenient box - deep, and always with a lid.
The following materials can be used as manufacturing materials:
- wooden boards;
- chipboard;
- MDF;
- plywood sheets, etc.
The height of the structure should not be excessively large so that it is convenient to use and can be easily reached to the bottom. If possible, the top cover can be adapted as a bench.
If the box is made to order, then its design style and color can be consistent with the style of the interior decoration of the balcony.
Can it be kept in an uninsulated plastic container?
A plastic box that is not heated or insulated - an option that can only be used when storing a small amount of vegetable. All conditions must be met.
Homemade box with insulation
If the air temperature on the balcony is lower than recommended for keeping potatoes, additional insulation is necessary. The body itself is organized in a standard way, but thermal insulation is additionally installed.
Polystyrene foam and penoplex are most often used as insulation. or another option. Sheathing - clapboard, board or other material.
The heating process can be carried out using even an ordinary incandescent light bulb. In order for the system to work, it is necessary to organize access to electricity.
You can learn how to make a heating cabinet on your own from the video:
Thermobox
In addition to self-made potato storage facilities, You can purchase a ready-made thermal box or heating cabinet. This is a compact and functional device that is suitable for storing tubers in winter, even when the air temperature on the balcony is significantly higher than that recommended for vegetables.
Temporary
Temporary storage for a short period of time can be organized in simpler ways.
For short-term maintenance of tubers The following container options are suitable:
- cardboard boxes;
- bags;
- meshes and more.
Even in case of short-term storage, it is necessary to provide the crop with protection from light.
How to preserve the harvest?
Organizing the proper storage of potatoes during the winter is a set of measures. In this case, it is necessary to prepare the harvest itself, the container and provide all the conditions.
Tuber preparation
To allow long-term storage of potatoes, tubers must be prepared first. The procedure and scope of work will depend on their condition.
If there is a choice, then it is recommended to buy medium-sized tubers for the winter that have not begun to germinate and do not have damage of any kind (mechanical and/or rot), and are dry. It should be borne in mind that potatoes with thick skins are more likely to last until spring.
Vegetables needed:
- dry;
- clear away clods of earth;
- sort, leaving only healthy ones for long-term maintenance.
If assorted potatoes are sent for storage, then very serious sorting by size and variety is necessary. This will help the crop to be better preserved and will make it easy to select tubers for various dishes.
How to prepare the storage?
The container that is selected for home storage of crops on the balcony must meet the basic requirements for keeping vegetables: provide breathability and protection from light.
The storage must be clean. Before planting a new crop, the boxes must be cleaned and ventilated. If mold appears in the container, it should be treated with special means.
It is advisable not to place the vegetable box directly on the floor. It is recommended to install a layer of insulation on the floor side or install it on a pedestal.
In the case when potatoes of different varieties are sent for storage, it is advisable to separate them from each other.
Arranging vegetables
Planting tubers of a new crop can only be done after the container and the potatoes themselves are prepared, and the remains of the previous ones are removed. If the box is large enough, it makes sense to install partitions in it to separate vegetables by variety and size.
Root vegetables should lie freely, without squeezing. And even in this case, stocks must be periodically reviewed and re-sorted, removing spoiled tubers in a timely manner. You can reduce the likelihood of potatoes rotting if you cover the tubers with rowan leaves.
Possible mistakes
When organizing potato storage on a loggia or balcony, mistakes are sometimes made. They can lead to a significant reduction in the shelf life of tubers, germination, loss of taste and appearance.
Some of the most common errors include the following:
- Organization of storage on an unglazed balcony.
- Sending wet vegetables to the box.
- Use of untreated containers.
- Neglecting the requirement for ventilation.
- Add unsorted vegetables.
- The temperature in the box drops below acceptable levels.
- Increase in air temperature at the storage location.
- Untimely insulation of an improvised storage facility.
- Storing vegetables with apples in the same container - such proximity can lead to rapid spoilage of the crop.
Conclusion
Storing potatoes on the balcony is one of the options for organizing storage when space is limited in a city apartment. In order for the crop to be kept for as long as possible, up to six months, it is necessary to take into account all the requirements and follow the established rules for better preservation of the crop.
