Food storage

[Pete Grey]

Clamping used to be the way most people with a large plot used to store potatoes, after digging them up they would take what they needed for immediate use, the rest they would bury in a clamp at the side of the plot as they could then plant a different crop keeping the ground working.

In a dryish spot dig a trench or hole about one spit deep, put in a layer of 6 to 8 inches of straw, put in the potatoes or other root vegetables and cover with another 6 to 8 inches of straw, cover the straw with 6 inches of soil from around the hole, some people leave a tuft of straw sticking out of the ground for ventilation, i don’t know if this is best.

Taking soil from around the hole gives better drainage, potatoes should keep for several months without rotting, if they do start to sprout rub the sprouts off. You can always dig up some of the potatoes and then reseal the clamp at any time.

As MB says you can always disguise your clamp with other plants or flowers. MaryN i’ve never thought of using sacking in a shed, good idea, thank you.