Potatoes are not grown from seed but from seed potatoes, which sprout underground and grow more tasty tubers.
Local growers may even specialize in lesser known varieties that come in different shapes, sizes, and colors.
How to Plant Potatoes
Cold-climate gardenersusually plant potatoes in mid to late spring.
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Leave 12 inches of space around each on all sides.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorous fertilizer between each segment.
Then cover the potatoes and fertilizer with 2 inches of soil and water well.
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They can handle part shade, but it’s the lush top growth that feeds the tubers underground.
The more sun, the betterat least six to eight hours per day.
Hilling soil around the growing plants prevents this.
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Hilling is the process of mounding soil up around plant stem as it grows.
Soil
Grow your potatoes in soil with anacidic pHbetween 5.0 and 6.0.
Potatoes don’t like particularly rich soil.
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The soil needs to be loose and well-draining.
Water
Potato plants rely on a steady water supply.
see to it the plants receive at least one inch of water per week.
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Mulching around the plants can help retain moisture.
Areas with hot summers often plant potatoes as a winter crop.
Potatoes don’t have a preference when it comes to air humidity.
Every couple of weeks, give them a feeding with diluted liquid fertilizer or fish emulsion.
Some popular cultivars are listed here.
They are full-size potatoes bred for the purpose of growing more potatoes.
They start producing shoots from the potato eyes.
You’ve probably seen this happen when you’ve stored potatoes in the kitchen for too long.
you’re able to also purchase a powdered fungicide for dusting onto the pieces, to avoid rotting.
Harvesting
New potatoes are small, immature potatoes.
When the plant is in flower, the new potatoes are generally ready to harvest.
Gently feel around in the soil near the plant and lift them out.
The entire crop is ready to harvest once the tops of the plants die off.
Harvest carefully by hand or with a shovel or shovel.
Turn the soil over and search through for the round or oval treasures.
Damaged potatoes are still edible, but they won’t keep for long.
Keep adding potting soil to the container as the plants begin to grow.
Use a diluted liquid fertilizer, every couple of weeks as your potatoes grow.
