Can You Store Squash And Potatoes Together

You can store squash and potatoes together, but only if you get the conditions right.
 
In fact, many home gardeners and home cooks wonder whether storing squash and potatoes together is a good idea or a recipe for spoilage.
 
The short answer is yes, you can store squash and potatoes together, but there are a few important caveats that can make or break your harvest.
 
In this post, we’ll look at whether you can store squash and potatoes together, the ideal conditions for each, and how to make co-storage work without ruining your crop.
 
Let’s dig in.
 

Can You Store Squash and Potatoes Together?

Yes, you can store squash and potatoes together, but the key is understanding what each one needs.
 
Squash and potatoes actually share a lot of the same storage preferences, which is why so many people store squash and potatoes together in the same root cellar or pantry.
 
Both crops love cool, dark, and dry conditions.
 
Both hate moisture, light, and extreme cold.
 
So when you store squash and potatoes together in the right environment, they can happily coexist for months.
 

Why Storing Squash and Potatoes Together Works

The reason you can store squash and potatoes together comes down to their shared storage needs.
 

1. They Both Prefer Cool Temperatures

Squash and potatoes both store best in a cool range of about 50–55°F (10–13°C).
 
This is cooler than a typical room but warmer than a refrigerator.
 
That sweet spot is exactly why storing squash and potatoes together in a cellar, garage, or cool closet tends to work so well.
 

2. They Both Need Darkness

Light is the enemy of both crops.
 
Potatoes turn green and produce solanine when exposed to light, which makes them bitter and unsafe to eat.
 
Squash can also develop off flavors and sprout prematurely when light hits them.
 
So when you store squash and potatoes together in a dark space, you protect both at once.
 

3. They Both Hate Humidity

High humidity encourages mold, rot, and soft spots in both squash and potatoes.
 
A dry environment keeps the skins firm and the flesh sound.
 
That shared need for dryness is another reason storing squash and potatoes together makes practical sense.
 

4. They Don’t Produce Problematic Ethylene

Some fruits and vegetables release ethylene gas that speeds up ripening and spoilage in their neighbors.
 
Squash and potatoes are both relatively low ethylene producers, so they don’t accelerate each other’s decline.
 
This is a big reason you can store squash and potatoes together without one ruining the other.
 

When Storing Squash and Potatoes Together Goes Wrong

Even though you can store squash and potatoes together, things can go sideways if you ignore a few rules.
 

1. One Bad Apple Spoils the Bunch

If one squash or potato starts to rot, it can spread mold and bacteria to everything around it.
 
That’s why you should always inspect your crop before storing squash and potatoes together.
 

2. Curing Matters

Both squash and potatoes need to be cured before storage.
 
Curing hardens the skin and heals minor cuts, which helps them last longer when you store squash and potatoes together.
 

3. Don’t Wash Before Storing

Washing introduces moisture, which invites rot.
 
Brush off dirt instead, and only wash right before you cook.
 

4. Keep Them Separate If Space Allows

Even though you can store squash and potatoes together, giving them a little breathing room is smart.
 
Use crates or bins so air can circulate, and don’t stack them too deeply.
 

Best Conditions to Store Squash and Potatoes Together

If you want to store squash and potatoes together successfully, aim for these conditions.
 

1. Temperature

Keep the space between 50–55°F.
 

2. Humidity

Aim for 50–60% relative humidity.
 

3. Ventilation

Good airflow prevents moisture buildup and mold.
 

4. Darkness

Block out light completely for best results.
 

So, Can You Store Squash and Potatoes Together?

You can store squash and potatoes together, and it’s actually a smart way to save space in your pantry or root cellar.
 
Just remember that both crops need cool, dark, and dry conditions to last.
 
Check them regularly, cure them properly, and keep them clean and dry.
 
If you do that, storing squash and potatoes together will keep your harvest fresh for months.