Potatoes are a half-hardy vegetable that has hundreds of culinary uses and it's something you should definitely grow in your garden! Because potatoes are so versatile, it's one of the best vegetables you can plant. Today we'll show you how to grow potatoes with our easy to follow gardening guide!
How to Grow Potatoes in Your Garden
Planting Potatoes:
- You can start planting seed potatoes about 2 weeks after the last spring frost.
- Seed potatoes are simply pieces of a whole potato with at least 2 eyes per piece.
- Cut up your potato pieces 1-2 days before planting. This way, they'll have time to heal.
- Dig a trench and mix in rotted manure or organic compost in the bottom of the trench.
- Plant the seed potatoes about 1 foot apart and in a 4 inch deep trench, eye side up.
- Rotate your potato crop yearly to avoid soil borne disease.
Caring for Potatoes:
- Make sure to grow in well drained soil – potatoes thrive best in it!
- Once tubers start forming, make sure to water regularly.
- Before the potato plants bloom, you can start hilling. This will be when the plant is about 6 inches tall. Hoe the dirt up around the base of the potato plant. This is to cover the roots and to support the plant. Bury them in loose dirt.
- Hilling keeps the potatoes from getting sun burnt which can cause them to turn green and in turn make the toxic. Do not ever eat green potatoes.
- Hill potatoes every couple of weeks to protect your potato crop.
Harvesting Potatoes:
- Depending on the variety of potato you've planted, they'll all have different harvest times.
- Most potatoes will take anywhere from 60 to 90 days to fully mature.
- Harvest only once the plant's foliage has died back. Cut the brown foliage to the ground and wait 10-14 days before harvesting.
- Dig potatoes on a dry day and store them in a cool, dry place.
Now that you know how to grow potatoes, it's time to get your hands dirty!
Happy Planting!
