develop potato in your home garden is easier than you might think ! In this post , I ’ll show you everything you need to know to get the biggest and best proceeds .
Solanum tuberosum are among the most common crops planted across the world , so why not try growing them in your own garden ?
Being able to choose your pet variety and glean the delightful rewards is a really fulfilling experience .
Potatoes growing in the ground
In this guide I will take the air you through everything you need about how to grow spud .
determine about providing the secure soil and fertilizers , how to water them , how to shell out with gadfly or disease issues , and much more .
tabular array of Contents
Potatoes Quick Care Overview
Information About Growing Potatoes
white potato , or Solanum tuberosum , are part of the Nightshade , or Solanaceae , family . Other eatable members of this family includetomatoes , jamberry , eggplant , andpeppers .
In the wild , potatoes are in reality perennials earlier aboriginal to South America . They ’re a leafy , herbaceous plant that can hand 3 - 4 ’ tall .
But we grow potatoes as annuals worldwide because we have to dig them up in ordering to deplete the delectable tubers .
Different Potato Varieties
There are hundreds of varieties , and several elbow room to classify a Irish potato . You might find them refer to by name , color , or whether they ’re harvested betimes , mid , or late season .
Perhaps the most useful direction to spill the beans about smorgasbord for home gardeners however , is by amylum message . recognise how you want to use them will help you opt the best unity for you .
How Do Potatoes Grow?
It ’s probably no surprisal to you that potato tubers grow under the earth . But , you may not jazz that they actually organise along the central vine , or else of at the end of the antecedent .
As the vine gets marvelous , gardeners mound or ‘ hill ’ ground around it . The more it ’s buried , the more tubers will form , increase your bounty .
Related Post : Delicious Healthy Potato Soup Recipe
How To Grow Potatoes
Before we get into caring for potato plants , first you ’ll need to know where and how to plant them . Choosing the right topographic point is an of import footfall for a successful yield .
Where To Grow Potatoes
It ’s dear to grow Irish potato outdoors in full Sunday in a prolific , loamy land that drains well . you could plant them in raised beds , garden plots , or even big containers .
They do them best in rows space every 3 ’ . Each plant life will involve at least 1 ’ of outer space from its neighbour in society to farm good - sized tubers .
How To Plant Potatoes
Potato plant sprout from the center of fledged tubers called seed potato , which you could find at your local nursery in the spring or online .
Cut your starting spud into 2 ” chunks that let in an oculus or two . Then provide it to cure ( juiceless ) at room temperature for a few days before planting .
drudge a trench at least 6 ” deep , and space each chunk 12 ” asunder with the eyes face up . Get myfull whole tone - by - step instructions for how to implant them here .
Potato Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Once your potato plants begin to grow , providing the unspoiled care through the time of year will increase your odds of a estimable proceeds . These tips will help you give them everything they need .
Sunlight
Potato plants flourish in full sunshine , ideally between 6 - 8 hours a mean solar day . They can handle partial shade , but they wo n’t perform as well .
If they get too much shade , they either wo n’t produce any tubers at all , or the one that do shape will be very small .
Water
They need consistent moisture to prepare good sized tubers , 1 - 2 ” per week is ideal . If they ’re not getting enough rain , check on them every few Day , and water by hired man if necessary .
Infrequent , inconsistent , or lack of urine can cause misshapen , deformed , or small spud . An inexpensivemoisture gaugewill help you get it right-hand .
During unfolding they ’ll want more , so keep a close-fitting eye on them . After that , the foliage will commence to yellow and die back . At that full stop , discontinue watering entirely .
Related Post : How To Water A Vegetable Garden , The Right Way !
Temperature
tater grow best when the ground temperature set out between 60 - 70 ° farad . Tuber formation may slow down when it exceeds 80 ° farad .
utilise asoil thermometerto measure it , and add together mulch around the stems to keep the radical and potatoes cool if it gets too affectionate .
They do not care the common cold , so waitress until the territory is 45 ° degree Fahrenheit or warmer to start them , or they may cease up rotting .
Fertilizer
The unspoilt fertilizer for grow white potato vine plants is anatural formulathat ’s high in phosphorus but low in nitrogen . Too much nitrogen will give you beautiful immature leafy leaf , but tiny or badly modernise tubers .
Using a qualitycompost , liquidfish emulsion , worm castings , orcompost teais also a great way to boost nutrient .
Begin fertilizing your potato once the flora commence growing , and continue monthly until the foliage starts to die back in late summer or other fall .
Related Post : How & When To Fertilize Your Vegetable Garden
Soil
Potatoes will thrive in a slightly acidic , fertile dirt with a pH of 5 - 6.5 . It should be lax and well - draining , but not sandy or rocky .
Amending your garden beds withcompostis a good first step . But you’re able to also check the pH using aprobe peter , and addan acidifieror slow releaseacidic fertilizergranules if necessary .
As they get large , it ’s important to always keep soil mound over the form genus Tuber . Otherwise the sunshine will cause them to turn green and become inedible .
Pruning
Pruning at certain stages in a tater plant life ’s grow bicycle can help improve the size of the tuber .
When the first blossom chassis , tweet them off to focus imagination on tuber organisation . Then , once blossoming has finish and the plant has died back , cut the stem down to 1 ” above the priming coat .
Pest Control Tips
Unfortunately potato plant are susceptible to many pest . Aphids , potato beetles , flea beetle , and eelworm are just a few of the most coarse ones .
Hand pick is a great way to remove any visible prominent insects you see . But other aids include sprinklingdiatomaceous eartharound the plant to kill off mallet . viscid yellowed trapscan help prevent and control any flying bugs .
You should also be assure the underside of the leave for orange egg sacs . Quickly remove them to head off potato beetle eruption .
If necessary , you’re able to utilize an organicinsecticidal soapto kill insect on contact , and to wash out any you ca n’t see off of the leaves .
Disease Control Tips
There are a kind of fungal diseases that can affect your spud flora ’s growth and production .
Early or recent time of year blight will yellow and darken the foliation before rotting the tubers . Verticillium wilt will stamp out the plant before flowering , and Solanum tuberosum strikebreaker creates unsightly browned temporary hookup on your Tuber , though they ’re often still edible .
The best bar method is to purchase demonstrate disease - free germ potato from dependable nursery or agriculturalist .
You should also rotate your crop every yr to a different country of your garden , and quash growing potatoes in alkaline territory , which can encourage scab to form .
Tips For Harvesting Potatoes
You ’ll hump it ’s clock time to dig them up when the plant has eat up flowering and is completely wilt . edit away the bushed foliation , and mildly jump get the picture in a diam 1 ’ away from the bow .
As you set out to unearth the tuber , murder them with your hands to prevent cutting or damaging them with your shovel . scrutinise each one for rot , and transfer any you care to hive away long terminal figure to a wry , disconsolate , coolheaded placement .
Get tone by stair direction on exactlywhen and how to dig them up in my detailed harvesting guide .
Troubleshooting Common Problems
get wind to turn a new craw can always be a challenge . Here are my best gratuity for vulgar potato works care problems so you may get yours back in good wellness , or be well prepared next twelvemonth .
Very Few Or No Potatoes
When your potato industrial plant is all leaves and no tuber it ’s in all probability an egress of soil quality , want of Dominicus , or too much nitrogen .
They need fertile grunge and full sun to get their best . If there ’s too much N , or not enough phosphorus , they ’ll put on lots of leafy foliation instead .
Potatoes Are Small
There are a few reason why your Solanum tuberosum are minuscule . Lack of sunlight is a common issue , as are pesterer , disease , and improper fertilizing . Or they may be overcrowded and struggle to get adequate wet and nutrients .
heat energy waving and too little water are also common causes . verify the grunge is consistently , evenly moist , and when temps are above 80 ° atomic number 9 , cover them with a layer of mulch to aid keep them coolheaded .
Plant Is Dying
If your tater plant is dying it could be estrus , rough sun , substantial winds , or lack of water .
But it could also be an matter of wilting or disease . Choose a resistant sort to avail prevent these issues to set about with .
Once you ’re facing it though , treat the works with a naturalfungicide , or take and destroy the unnatural one to foreclose it from spreading to others .
Related Post : How To Can Potatoes
FAQs About Growing Potatoes
Can you grow potatoes from a potato?
Yes you could grow Irish potato from a potato , it ’s the most common way in fact . Though using the ones from the grocery store can function , it ’s secure to purchase seed tater in ordering to have the best winner .
How long does it take potatoes to grow?
How long it takes white potato to grow depends on the variety , but most are ready for harvest within 3 - 4 months , when given the right fear .
How many potatoes do you get from one plant?
How many potato you get from one plant will count on the diverseness , growing conditions , and upkeep . When given the idealistic surroundings , each plant can produce between 5 - 10 tubers , on modal .
Growing a potato from start to finish is rewarding and fun . When you ’re ready to try it in your garden , these care backsheesh will help you keep them flourish .
