Late crop potatoes are better than early crop potatoes for long-term storage. Since outdoor temperatures usually are low when late crop potatoes are harvested, cool storage conditions are easy to maintain. After harvest, cure late potatoes by holding them in moist air for 1 to 2 weeks at 60 to 75 degrees. Wounds do not heal at 50 degrees or below. After curing, and as soon as outdoor temperatures permit, lower the storage temperature to about 35 or 40 degrees for winter storage.
Late potatoes keep well for several months in basement storage rooms and cellars.
They keep best in moderately moist air. Store potatoes in the dark to prevent them from turning green. Potatoes stored at about 35 degrees for several months tend to become sweet. This condition usually can be corrected by holding the potatoes at about 70 degrees for a week or two before you use them. Now, how about squash and pumpkins.