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You can store squash with potatoes, but it’s not the best idea if you want both to last as long as possible.
While they can sit together for a short time without any immediate disaster, the reality is that storing squash with potatoes often leads to one or both spoiling faster than they would on their own.
If you’ve been wondering about the best way to store squash with potatoes, the short answer is that it’s possible but not ideal.
In this post, we’ll look at whether you can store squash with potatoes, why it’s usually a bad match, and what you should do instead to keep your harvest fresh.
Let’s get into it.
Can You Store Squash With Potatoes?
Yes, you can physically store squash with potatoes in the same bin or pantry, but the two have very different storage needs.
Potatoes prefer cool, dark, and humid conditions, while winter squash likes cool, dark, and dry conditions.
That difference in humidity is the main reason storing squash with potatoes is a problematic combination.
If you store squash with potatoes in a humid environment, the squash will get soft, moldy, or mushy much faster.
If you store squash with potatoes in a dry environment, the potatoes will shrivel, lose their texture, and start to sprout prematurely.
So while you can store squash with potatoes, you’re essentially choosing one to thrive while the other suffers.
1. Humidity Needs Are Opposite
Potatoes need high humidity, usually around 90 percent, to stay firm and fresh.
Winter squash, on the other hand, needs low humidity, usually around 50 to 60 percent, to avoid rot.
When you store squash with potatoes, one of them is always getting the wrong conditions.
The squash will absorb too much moisture if the potatoes are happy, and the potatoes will dry out if the squash is happy.
This is why most experts recommend keeping them separate.
2. Ethylene Gas and Sprouting
Some squash varieties release a small amount of ethylene gas as they sit.
Potatoes are sensitive to ethylene, and it can trigger them to sprout sooner than they normally would.
When you store squash with potatoes, you’re putting potatoes right next to a gas that encourages sprouting.
Sprouted potatoes aren’t necessarily ruined, but they don’t store as well and the flesh can become soft.
If you want your potatoes to last for months, storing squash with potatoes will shorten that window.
3. Temperature Preferences Differ
Potatoes store best at around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Winter squash stores best at around 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
That overlap is small, which means finding a spot where you can store squash with potatoes comfortably is tricky.
Too cold for squash can cause chilling injury, and too warm for potatoes can cause them to sprout or rot.
So even if you think your storage spot is neutral, it’s probably favoring one over the other.
Why You Should Store Squash and Potatoes Separately
The biggest reason to avoid storing squash with potatoes is simply that they have opposite storage requirements.
Potatoes want humidity and squash want dryness, and there’s no way to give both what they need in the same space.
When you store squash with potatoes, you’re more likely to lose part of your harvest to spoilage.
Squash can develop mold or soft spots, and potatoes can sprout, shrivel, or turn green.
Keeping them apart is the easiest way to make sure both last as long as possible.
1. Better Airflow for Both
Both squash and potatoes need good airflow, but they need it in different ways.
Squash should be stored in a single layer with space between each one so air can move around.
Potatoes can be stored in a bin or basket but still need ventilation to prevent moisture buildup.
When you store squash with potatoes, it’s easy to overcrowd one or the other.
Separate storage lets you give each one the airflow it actually needs.
2. Easier Pest and Rot Monitoring
If you store squash with potatoes and one starts to rot, the problem can spread quickly.
Potatoes can hide mold under other potatoes, and squash can develop soft spots that you don’t notice right away.
When you store them separately, you can check each crop more easily.
That means you can pull out a bad squash or a sprouting potato before it affects the rest of the batch.
3. Longer Shelf Life Overall
When you store squash with potatoes, you usually shorten the shelf life of at least one of them.
Stored correctly, winter squash can last two to six months and potatoes can last several months too.
Stored together, that timeline shrinks because neither gets the ideal environment.
If you want your harvest to carry you through the winter, separate storage is the way to go.
Better Ways to Store Squash and Potatoes
The best approach is to store squash with potatoes in different locations rather than the same bin.
Keep your squash in a cool, dry, dark spot with good airflow, like a pantry shelf or a wire rack.
Keep your potatoes in a cool, dark, humid spot, like a root cellar or a ventilated bin.
If you don’t have a root cellar, a cardboard box with a slightly damp towel can work for potatoes.
And for squash, a dry shelf away from onions and other ethylene producers is ideal.
1. Short-Term Storage Is Okay
If you just need to store squash with potatoes for a few days, it’s not a big deal.
The problems come when you try to keep them together for weeks or months.
So if you’re cooking within a week, go ahead and store squash with potatoes without stressing.
Just don’t make it your long-term plan.
2. Check Them Often
No matter where you store squash with potatoes, check them regularly.
Look for soft spots, mold, sprouts, or shriveling.
Remove any bad ones immediately so they don’t ruin the rest.
A quick weekly check can save your whole stash.
So, Can You Store Squash With Potatoes?
You can store squash with potatoes, but it’s not recommended if you want them to last.
They need opposite humidity levels, different temperatures, and they can affect each other’s sprouting and spoilage.
If you want the best results, store squash with potatoes in separate spots that match each one’s needs.
That way, both your squash and your potatoes stay fresh for as long as possible.