best way to store freshly dug spuds?

[dandycandyjellybean]

Need to harvest them as the toms at the other end of the allotment have blight, and want to get to the spuds before they get it too as I understand it makes them impossible to store. the ones I have dug today look fab, really clean and lovely. But have never had such a glut before; think big, blue Ikea bag, nearly full, and about twice as many still to dig. Mainly pink fir apple and Maris piper. Should I just cut down the tops and leave spuds in the ground or is that still a risk for blight? If not that, what? Coz I would really like to hang on to as many as possible and work through them during the autumn. cheers you lovely peeps, know someone out there will know!

I don't know if this is strictly correct, but we will dig all of ours up in the next couple of weeks.

Leave quite a bit of dirt on, but chuck obviously gammy ones, any green ones are kept back for seed next year.

We store them in plastic crates (like old washing baskets) lined with old sacks and chuck sacks over the top to keep out the light.

They all seem to keep well, stored in the log shed.

If you're in a hurry, just take the tops off for now and BURN THEM if they have blight -do not put on your compost heap.

Then you can dig up the spuds when you have more time.

Otherwise, dig the spuds up then dry in the sun for an hour or two, then store in a hessian or paper sack in a cool dark place. It MUST be dark or the potatoes will go green and be inedible.

Take them all out and check over for blighted potatoes every few weeks over winter.

I also sort them before storing - big ones in one bag, littlies in another etc.

Dig up, check very carefully for any blemish/skin break - set aside to use those ones now. Others, dry off, but don't rub all dirt off so skin remains in tact. then get a dry paper or hessian sack and store carefully in dark cool dry conditions.

They should keep for ages in correct conditions.