Potato

Choosing the Right Potatoes: Hello there, future potato grower! To start, you'll need some "seed potatoes" – these aren't seeds like you're thinking of; they're just small potatoes or pieces of potatoes with "eyes" (little sprouts) on them. You can buy certified seed potatoes from garden centers or online. Avoid using potatoes from the grocery store because they may carry diseases.

When to Plant: Potatoes love cool weather but hate frost. The best time to plant is about 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area, typically in early spring. If you're unsure, just wait until the soil temperature is around 50°F (10°C).

Tools and Materials:

Seed potatoes

A spade or trowel

Garden soil

Mulch (straw or leaves)

Large containers or garden space (potatoes need room to grow!)

• Compost or well-rotted manure

Tip: If you don’t have a garden, no worries! You can grow potatoes in big pots, buckets, or even old tires stacked up.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide:

1. Prepare Your Seed Potatoes: A few days before planting, cut larger potatoes into chunks, making sure each piece has at least one or two eyes. Let them sit out for a day or two so the cut sides can dry out a bit – this helps prevent rotting.
2. Prepare the Soil: Potatoes like loose, well-draining soil. Mix in some compost or aged manure to enrich the soil. If you're planting in a container, fill it about halfway with soil.
3. Planting Time:
   • Dig trenches about 4-6 inches deep in the garden or make holes in your container.
   • Place the seed potatoes or chunks with the eyes facing up, spacing them about 12 inches apart in the garden or one per large container.
   • Cover them with about 3-4 inches of soil.

Watering After Planting: Give them a good drink of water after planting, but don’t overdo it. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Tip: As the plants grow, you’ll be adding more soil – this is called “hilling,” and I’ll explain that in the Growing Care section!

Sunlight Needs: Potatoes need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Choose a sunny spot in your garden or place containers where they get plenty of light.

Watering:

• Water regularly, especially when the plants are flowering – this is when the potatoes are forming underground.
• Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, like a damp sponge. Too much water can cause the potatoes to rot, so ensure good drainage.

Fertilizing:

• Use a balanced fertilizer every few weeks, but avoid too much nitrogen, which encourages leafy growth instead of tubers.
• Compost or well-rotted manure works great as natural fertilizers.

Hilling Up: As your potato plants grow, you’ll need to “hill” them:

• When the plants are about 6-8 inches tall, gently pile soil (or straw if growing in containers) around the base of the plants, leaving only a few inches of the top exposed.
• Repeat this process every couple of weeks as the plants grow taller. This helps protect developing potatoes from sunlight, which can turn them green and toxic.

Tip: If you’re growing in containers, just keep adding soil or straw as the plants grow until the container is full.

When to Harvest: You can harvest "new potatoes" (small, tender ones) about 2-3 weeks after the plants flower. For fully mature potatoes, wait until the plants have finished flowering and the foliage starts to die back – this usually happens 90-120 days after planting.

How to Harvest:

• Carefully dig around the base of the plant with a fork or your hands if the soil is loose.
• Gently lift the plant to reveal the potatoes buried underneath.
• Be careful not to damage the potatoes while digging!

Storage Tips:

• Cure the potatoes by letting them sit in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for 1-2 weeks – this toughens their skins for longer storage.
• Once cured, store them in a cool, dark place like a basement or pantry. Don’t wash them before storing, as moisture can cause them to rot.

Tip: Check your stored potatoes regularly and remove any that show signs of rot to prevent it from spreading.

Q: My potato plants have yellow leaves – what’s wrong?

A: Yellow leaves could mean overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiency. Check the soil moisture and adjust watering. If the soil feels dry, water more often. If it’s soggy, hold off on watering. Also, consider adding some fertilizer.

Q: Why are my potatoes green?

A: Sun exposure turns potatoes green, which makes them bitter and toxic. Make sure to hill your plants properly to cover the tubers and prevent sunlight from reaching them.

Q: Can I grow potatoes in a bag or bucket?

A: Absolutely! Just make sure the container has drainage holes and is at least 2-3 feet deep. Add soil as the plant grows, and harvest by dumping out the container when ready.

Q: What should I do if bugs attack my potato plants?

A: Common pests include aphids and Colorado potato beetles. Remove bugs by hand or spray plants with a mix of water and mild soap. Companion planting with marigolds can help deter pests naturally.

Q: How do I know if my potatoes are ready to harvest?

A: New potatoes can be harvested when the plants flower. For mature potatoes, wait until the foliage starts to die back. You can also gently feel around in the soil to check the size of the tubers without disturbing the plant.