Apart from the usual physical checks that need to be regularly carried out on boxes, the following additional points should always be addressed:-

During normal potato storage, boxes are stored under conditions of low temperature. At temperatures of below 5 degrees Celsius, wood decay fungi are generally inactive. It may be reasonably anticipated that the conditions required to maintaining potatoes in good condition would also favour protection of timber. The phase during which the boxes are not filled with potatoes and may be exposed to higher ambient temperatures is therefore likely to be the period during which the boxes are at greatest risk from decay. Often they are empty during this period, but if they are stored for a short period outdoors they should be stored on a hard surface which provides good drainage and the storage arrangement should maintain a free flow of air through the full stack at all levels. Debris such as old potatoes, leaves or other organic materials should be cleaned out prior to storage. Their presence encourages decay, due to the presence of additional nutrients and by locally retaining moisture. A gap between stacks of at least 25mm should be maintained, though beware the effects of wind in high stacks.

If boxes are stacked within a closed storage building, which is not maintained at low temperature during the empty season, it is important that they should be in a dry condition when installed. Also the building should provide free ventilation to allow any residual moisture to escape. If high humidities are allowed to build up, without the benefit of a low temperature this could encourage rapid growth of mould fungi and increase the risk or rate of decay.