Introduction

A lot of people are excited to planting potatoes.. Sometimes they get disappointed when their plants do not produce many potatoes. This is usually not because they are not working enough. It is often because they are making some mistakes. These mistakes can be things like planting at the time using bad seed potatoes or planting potatoes them in soil that is too compact. These small mistakes can make a difference in how many potatoes you get.

When you are just starting out it is best to focus on the things. Once you understand how potatoes grow and what they need it gets a lot easier. This guide will give you some tips on how to grow healthy potatoes from planting to harvest.

Why Grow Potatoes at Home?

Planting potatoes at home is really great experience. You get to eat potatoes that’re fresh from your garden. These potatoes you grow at home have a lot of flavor. The reason is that home grown potatoes are different from the ones you buy at the store. You grow potatoes at home. They taste really good. They are not like store potatoes. Home grown potatoes are yummy because they are fresh. You eat potatoes from your garden. They are delicious.

 When you grow potatoes, at home you can control what happens to your potatoes. You can make sure that your potatoes do not have any chemicals on them. This is a deal when you are eating home planting potatoes. Potatoes that you grow at home are just better.

What Are Seed Potatoes?

Seed potatoes are potatoes that people grow for planting potatoes in the ground. They are not, like the potatoes you buy at the store to eat. These seed potatoes are special because they get checked really carefully to make sure seed potatoes do not have any diseases that can hurt seed potatoes.

Each seed potato has buds on it called “eyes.” These eyes will grow into shoots and eventually into healthy potato plants. If you choose seed potatoes your plants will have a strong start.

When Is the Best Time to Planting Potatoes?

The best time to planting potatoes depends on where you live.

In the USA the best time to plant potatoes is:

* Northern States: March to April

* Central States: February to March

* Southern States: January to March

It is not just about the time of year. The temperature of the soil is really important when you are planting potatoes. You should wait until the soil temperature is at least 45°F before you put the potatoes in the ground. This is usually around 7°C.

If you plant your potatoes in soil that’s too wet it can make it harder for them to grow and they might even rot. So it is better to wait until the soil’s not too wet before you plant your potatoes.

You can find information about planting potatoes in your area by visiting the Old Farmers Almanac Potato Growing Guide Visit now.

Choose the Right Kind of Potato

There are many different kinds of potatoes and they all produce different results.

Some popular kinds for planting potatoes include:

* Yukon Gold

* Russet

* Red Pontiac

* Kennebec

If you are just starting out Yukon Gold is a choice. It grows well in parts of the United States.

Get the Soil Ready

The soil is one of the important things when it comes to growing potatoes.

The soil should be:

* Loose

* drained

* Rich in compost

* Slightly acidic (pH 5.0-6.5)

You should avoid clay soil for potatoes because they need space to grow underground.

Adding compost to the soil a week before planting helps with drainage.

It also makes the soil more fertile, for potatoes.

Get the Seed Potatoes Ready

If your seed potatoes are big you should cut them into pieces before you plant them.

Each piece should have one or two eyes. After you cut them you should let them sit in a place for a day or two. This will help the cut surface dry out and reduce the chance of rot.

Some gardeners also like to “chit” their seed potatoes. This means they let the sprouts grow a bit before they plant them. This can help the potatoes grow faster at first.

How to Planting Potatoes

To planting potatoes you should:

1. Dig a trench that’s about four inches deep.

2. Put each piece of seed potato in the trench with the eyes facing up.

3. Leave 12 inches between each plant.

4. Keep the rows 30 inches apart.

5. Cover the potatoes with soil. Water them lightly.

As the plants grow you should add soil around the stems. This is called “hilling”. It helps protect the potatoes from the sun.

Watering Potatoes

Potatoes need water all the time when they are growing.

If you water them on a schedule you should check the soil regularly. If the top few inches of soil are dry you should water them. During weather potatoes need more water. You should be careful not to overwater them because this can cause disease and rot.

How Sun Do Potatoes Need?

They grow best in the sun.

You should choose a spot that gets at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight every day. The sunlight the potatoes get the stronger they will be and the better they will taste.

Can You Grow Potatoes in Containers?

You do not need a backyard for planting potatoes in the containers.

You can use grow bags, buckets or big containers. Just fill the container with an inch of soil and plant the potatoes. As the stems grow you can add soil until only the top leaves are showing. This will help in planting potatoes more and make the most of your space.

Fertilizing Potato Plants

Potatoes need a diet to grow healthy.

You should mix compost into the soil before you plant the potatoes. If you need to you can also use fertilizer later on. Be careful not to use too much nitrogen because this can make the plants grow too many leaves and not enough potatoes.

Hilling Potato Plants

Hilling is one of the important things you can do to help your potatoes grow.

When the plants are six to eight inches tall you should pull some loose soil around the stems. You should do this every two to three weeks until the hills are an inch high. This will help protect the potatoes from the sun and make them grow bigger.

Common Problems in Planting Potatoes

If the leaves on your potato plants are turning yellow it might be because they are getting much water or not enough nutrients.

If the potatoes are rotting it is probably because the soil is not draining well.

If you are not getting potatoes it might be because the plants are too close together.

If the potatoes are turning green it is because they are getting much sunlight. You should not eat potatoes because they have too much solanine in them.

There are also some pests that can hurt your potato plants like the Colorado potato beetle and aphids. You should check your plants regularly to catch any problems before they get serious.

Companion Plants

Some plants are good to grow with potatoes like:

* Beans

* Cabbage

* Corn

* Horseradish

There are some plants you should not grow with potatoes like:

* Tomatoes

* Eggplants

* Peppers

These plants can get the same diseases as potatoes.

How to Harvest Potatoes

You can harvest new potatoes a few weeks after the plants start flowering.

For potatoes you should wait until the leaves on the plants start to turn yellow and die back. Then you can dig them up carefully with a garden fork. Be careful not to hurt the potatoes as you are digging.

After you harvest the potatoes you should let them dry for a hour before you store them.

How to Store Potatoes

You should store potatoes in a dark place with good ventilation.

The ideal temperature for storing potatoes is between 38°F and 45°F.

You should not store potatoes in sunlight because they can turn green.

You should not wash the potatoes before you store them. Just brush off any dirt.

Quick Guide to Growing Potatoes

Here are some things to keep in mind when you are planting potatoes:

* Soil pH: 5.0-6.5

* Planting depth: 4 inches

* Plant spacing: 12 inches

* Row spacing: 30 inches

* Sunlight: 6-8 hours

* Harvest: 70-120 days

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use potatoes from the store to plant?

You should not use potatoes from the store to plant. They might have diseases. They will not grow as well as special seed potatoes.

How long does it take to planting potatoes?

It usually takes between 70 and 120 days to grow potatoes depending on the kind you are growing.

Can I grow potatoes in containers?

Yes you can grow potatoes in containers like grow bags, buckets or big pots.

How often should I hill my potato plants?

You should hill your potato plants every two to three weeks as they are growing.

Conclusion

Planting potatoes is a way to start growing veggies in home garden. You do not need any equipment or a lot of experience. You just need to follow some steps. Choose seed potatoes, get the soil ready, water them regularly and hill them at the right time.

In my experience beginners who focus on the basics usually have the results. If you rush the process you might not get many potatoes.. If you are patient and take good care of your plants you can grow healthy potatoes and have a rewarding harvest, from your garden.