Potatoes are a versatile and essential root crop, perfect for both beginner and experienced gardeners. Whether used in mashed potatoes, roasted dishes, or even vibrant potato salads, growing potatoes in your garden can provide fresh, delicious results with a range of varieties to choose from. This guide outlines everything needed to cultivate, harvest, and store potatoes for a successful growing season.
Selecting Potato Varieties
Before planting, it’s important to choose the right potato variety based on your intended use and growing conditions. Learn more about your planting zone here. Potatoes come in several types, each offering unique flavors, textures, and uses. Popular varieties include:
Russet Potatoes:
Known for their fluffy texture, russet potatoes are ideal for baking and making mashed potatoes.
Yukon Gold Potatoes:
A favorite for a reason; Yukon gold potatoes are known for their rich, buttery flavor, perfect for mashing or roasting.
Red Potatoes:
With smooth skins and a firm texture, red potatoes are well-suited for boiling, salads, and roasting.
Fingerling Potatoes:
These small, elongated potatoes are often used in gourmet cooking, adding flair to roasted dishes.
Purple/Blue Potatoes:
Striking in color, purple or blue potatoes bring a nutty flavor to meals and are a fun addition to gardens.
Sweet Potatoes:
These vibrant orange potatoes are known for their sweet flavor, and versatility in both savory and sweet dishes. This variety of potato requires slightly different care instructions, which you can reference here.
Preparing the Soil for Potatoes
Potatoes thrive in well-drained, sandy soil rich in organic matter. Before planting, it’s recommended to prepare the soil by incorporating compost or well-rotted organic material. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, consider improving its texture by planting a cover crop the previous season. This not only adds nutrients but also aids in breaking up compacted soil.
Soil pH is a crucial factor in successful potato growth. Potatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH level between 5.0 and 5.5. Avoid adding too much manure to the soil as this can raise the pH and increase the risk of scab disease, a common issue for potatoes. Regular crop rotation is also essential to minimize disease buildup and maintain healthy soil.
Planting Potatoes
Potatoes are typically planted in early spring, once the soil has thawed and is workable. Follow these steps for planting:
- Prepare Seed Potatoes: If using larger seed potatoes, cut them into smaller pieces, ensuring that each piece has at least one “eye” or sprout. Allow the cut pieces to dry for a day or two before planting to reduce the risk of rot.
- Plant Depth: Plant each seed potato 3 to 4 inches deep with the sprouts facing upward. Space the potatoes about 12 to 15 inches apart in rows, leaving about 24 to 36 inches between rows.
- Fertilizer: Potatoes are heavy feeders and benefit from the addition of balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Choose a fertilizer high in phosphorus and potassium to promote root development. Avoid too much nitrogen, as it can lead to excessive foliage growth at the expense of tuber production. We recommend our Potatoes Alive! Fertilizer or our Root Crops Alive! Fertilizer.
- Watering: After planting, water the seed potatoes thoroughly. Potatoes require consistent moisture, especially during the initial stages of growth.
Hilling and Caring for Potato Plants
As the potato plants grow, regular maintenance is required to ensure the tubers develop properly. When the plants reach about 6 inches in height, the process of hilling should begin. Hilling involves mounding soil around the base of the plants, covering the lower stems and protecting the developing tubers from exposure to sunlight. This prevents the potatoes from turning green, which can result in a bitter taste.
Hilling should be done every two weeks during the growing season to ensure proper protection. Keeping the soil consistently moist is also crucial. Mulching around the base of the plants can help retain moisture, prevent weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Harvesting Potatoes
Potatoes are typically ready for harvest about two weeks after the vines have naturally died back. At this point, the potatoes will have reached their full size and be ready for digging. Use a garden fork or shovel to gently lift the tubers from the soil, being careful not to damage them.
For early varieties or smaller, “new” potatoes, harvest can begin when the plants flower. However, if larger, mature potatoes are desired, allow the plants to fully die back before harvesting.
Proper Potato Storage
To extend the life of your harvested potatoes, proper storage is essential. After harvesting, store the potatoes in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. Exposure to light can cause the potatoes to turn green and develop solanine, a compound that can make them bitter and inedible.
For long-term storage, potatoes need to be cured. Curing helps toughen their skin, which prevents moisture loss and extends their shelf life. To cure potatoes:
- Store them in a dark area with temperatures between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level of 85 percent or higher.
- Allow them to cure for 10 days. Once cured, they can be transferred to a cooler location (40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit) for several months of storage.
Regularly check stored potatoes for signs of spoilage and remove any that show signs of softening or sprouting.
Troubleshooting Common Potato Growing Issues
Potatoes are relatively easy to grow, but they can be affected by a few common issues. Here are some tips for avoiding these problems:
Scab Disease:
This is often caused by a high soil pH or overuse of manure. Keep the pH in check and avoid excessive organic matter in the soil.
Green Potatoes:
This occurs when tubers are exposed to sunlight. Regular hilling and proper soil coverage can prevent this.
Pests:
Colorado potato beetles and aphids can damage potato plants. Use natural insect repellents, such as neem oil, or encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs to keep pests in check.
The Benefits of Growing Potatoes
Growing potatoes in your own garden offers numerous benefits, including access to fresh, flavorful produce that surpasses store-bought options. Homegrown potatoes are versatile, allowing gardeners to experiment with various varieties that may be hard to find in stores. Plus, they are easy to grow and provide a fun gardening experience for families, especially when it comes time to harvest.
With the right soil preparation, care, and storage techniques, a plentiful potato harvest is well within reach. Whether for use in everyday meals or specialty dishes, growing your own potatoes is a rewarding endeavor that can be enjoyed season after season.