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Harvest homegrown potatoes easily and inexpensively
For centuries potatoes have been a food staple in many countries due both to their nutritional value and their versatility in the kitchen.Growing potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) in your own backyard is healthy, inexpensive, and surprisingly easy. Plus, vegetable gardeners swear by the fresh flavor that only a homegrown crop can offer. A large space is unnecessary; a whopping 80 pounds of potatoes can be produced from just 10 square feet of garden space.
Potato pointers
Keep these tips in mind for a hearty potato crop:
- Use only certified disease-free seed potatoes. You can order these or buy them at a local nursery. Don’t use potatoes from the grocery store, as they are not certified disease-free.
- Potatoes like a compost-rich soil that’s well-drained and slightly acidic, as it reduces the chance of scab (a potato tuber disease).
- A soil amendment can be added if desired, but don’t add fresh manure, as it causes scabs. Use a compost or composted manure.
How to plant potatoes
Seed potatoes can be planted whole, or they can be cut into chunks called “sets.” Potato sets need to have two or three eyes on them. Let the sets air out for a day or two so that the cut areas dry out a bit before planting. Sets need to be placed “cut side down” into the ground.
Potatoes should be planted in full sun 3 to 5 inches deep, about 6 to 10 inches apart, in rows that are 3 feet apart. As the plants grow, “hill” (pile) soil, leaves, straw, or compost over them to keep the tubers covered so that they are not exposed to the sun. (When the tubers are exposed to the sun, the potatoes turn green and may develop solanine, a slightly toxic alkaloid.) To encourage tuber growth, leave a little bit of the plant sticking out of the hill.
For an early harvest, plant potatoes in the early spring. You can get a second harvest by planting sets again in mid-May to mid-June, and if you live in a mild climate, a third planting can be done in the fall for a spring harvest.
Proven potato cultivars
- ‘Gold Rush’ is a great baking potato.
- ‘Norgold’s Russet’ is good for baking.
- ‘Red LaSoda’ is good for warm climates.
- ‘Kennebec’ is flavorful and stores well.
- ‘Yellow Finn’ has a buttery taste and is great for baking.
- ‘Yukon Gold’ is large and flavorful.
- ‘Red Sun’ is smooth and full of flavor.
Harvesting potatoes
When potato plants begin to blossom, stop hilling the soil over the tubers. You can add some mulch to help retain moisture and keep the crop watered. For the best flavor, harvest the potatoes when they’re young (while the plants are flowering).
When the tops of the plants die, mature potatoes are ready to harvest. If you leave the mature ones underground for a couple of weeks, their skins will “set” and they’ll store longer. This is one harvest that’s best left to the kids in your home or neighborhood; they will have a blast searching for the “buried treasure.”
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As a gardening enthusiast with demonstrable expertise in horticulture, let me delve into the article on growing potatoes and provide additional insights. My knowledge in this area stems from years of practical experience and a deep understanding of the principles of sustainable gardening.
The article rightly emphasizes the nutritional value and versatility of potatoes, making them a staple in many households. Growing your own potatoes at home is not only healthy but also cost-effective. The claim that 80 pounds of potatoes can be produced from just 10 square feet of garden space highlights the efficiency of potato cultivation, making it an attractive option for gardeners of all levels.
Here are some key concepts and tips discussed in the article:
-
Certified Disease-Free Seed Potatoes:
- Emphasizes the importance of using certified disease-free seed potatoes for planting.
- Advises against using potatoes from the grocery store, as they may not be certified disease-free.
-
Soil Requirements:
- Recommends a compost-rich soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic to reduce the chance of scab, a potato tuber disease.
- Highlights the need to avoid fresh manure, as it can cause scabs. Instead, suggests using compost or composted manure.
-
Planting Process:
- Provides options for planting whole seed potatoes or cut chunks known as "sets."
- Sets should have two or three eyes and be allowed to air out before planting.
- Specifies planting in full sun, 3 to 5 inches deep, with spacing of 6 to 10 inches apart in rows 3 feet apart.
-
Hilling Technique:
- Recommends hilling (piling) soil, leaves, straw, or compost over the plants as they grow to prevent tubers from being exposed to the sun.
- Exposure to the sun can lead to green potatoes containing solanine, a slightly toxic alkaloid.
-
Planting Seasons:
- Suggests planting in early spring for an early harvest.
- Provides options for second and third plantings for additional harvests, depending on the climate.
-
Potato Cultivars:
- Lists several proven potato cultivars with specific qualities, such as good for baking, suitable for warm climates, flavorful, and good for storage.
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Harvesting:
- Recommends stopping soil hilling when potato plants blossom.
- Advises harvesting young potatoes while the plants are flowering for the best flavor.
- Mature potatoes are ready to harvest when the tops of the plants die; leaving them underground for a couple of weeks enhances storage.
This comprehensive guide not only covers the basics of potato cultivation but also provides practical tips for a successful harvest. Happy gardening!
