<p>I am constantly throwing away half-bags of potatoes or onions, because they have sprouted. This seems to happen in a week or so, even during the winter. Does anyone have suggestions about how I can prevent this?</p>
<p>Do you store them near each other? Keeping them in the same pantry area will hasten them spoiling–they each produce gases that hasten the spoilage of the other. Keeping them in separate storage areas will make them keep better.</p>
<p>I’ve heard cooks and chefs say what paperplane just said. Keep members of the onion family (including garlic bulbs) away from fresh potatoes. I keep wondering why my potatoes seemed to frequently spoil early, then I got that piece of advice.</p>
<p>Yes, I do keep them near each other; I’ll try separating them. Thanks!</p>
<p>Keep them in separate, cool, dark, and dry places away from other fruits and veggies.</p>
<p>I didn’t know the potato onion thing until a few years ago - what a revelation! It has made a huge difference in the shelf life of both, especially potatoes. I store both in the coolest, darkest part of a kitchen cabinet that I can find - but on opposite sides of the kitchen.</p>
<p>Son of a gun. I did not know this.</p>
<p>I didn’t either!! Mine are right by each other and they do spoil really quickly!</p>
<p>Thanks for this money savings piece of advice!</p>
<p>Mine are right by other vegetables and fruits, too. I knew that CC would come to my rescue!</p>
<p>Wow! Who knew?! The things one learns on CC…</p>
<p>Mine are side by side on the bottom shelf in my pantry. Does this mean I should take one out of the pantry? Or is separating them by several feet good enough?</p>
<p>Those two. We know which two. Love-Hate relationship. Go well with each other yet can’t live peaceably together until used. You should’ve seen them when they were tator-tots and scallions.</p>
<p>Very funny, LongPrime!</p>
<p>PRJ, I get the impression that they should not be in the same cabinet where they could be exposed to one another’s off-gassing.</p>
<p>I feel as if I’m separating a couple of fighting toddlers.</p>
<p>I would suggest taking them out of any plastic bags. I actually keep my (bagless) potatoes and onions next to each other in an oval ceramic bowl (that has an open woven pattern) on the counter at the right of my stove. They seem to amicably coexist. I never buy bags of onions or potatoes, but hand pick the ones I think look best. I also don’t keep a large supply - enough for two or three weeks. I’ve found this system works for me and my onions and potatoes! Ha!</p>
<p>NYMomof2: “off-gassing”? </p>
<p>Sounds like young male children arguing about who is more flatulent.</p>
<p>Do NOT store your potatoes exposed to light. Yup, it is not an urban legend that green potatoes can kill:</p>
<p>[snopes.com:</a> Green Potatoes Poisonous?](<a href=“http://www.snopes.com/food/ingredient/potato.asp]snopes.com:”>Are Green Potatoes Poisonous? | Snopes.com)</p>
<p>Store your potatoes in the DARK!</p>
<p>Anyone ever try these bags - says they absorb the gas:</p>
<p>[Green</a> Bags | <a href=“http://www.evertfresh.com%5B/url%5D”>www.evertfresh.com](<a href=“http://www.evertfresh.com/?q=node/7]Green”>http://www.evertfresh.com/?q=node/7)</a></p>
<p>yes i have and they work :P</p>
<p>also, just because a potato sprouted doesn’t mean its not good nn</p>
<p>Sprouted potato is yucky, but OK to eat, green potato - danger zone!</p>
<p>That is funny…I usually keep my onions outside on the shelf in my garage, at least in the cold months. I went out the other day to grab one and ALL of them were bad. They were not old either and haven’t been near potatoes</p>