Growing potatoes in Nebraska can be a rewarding experience . The United States Department of State has a mild climate and plenitude of sunshine , both of which are ideal for spring up potatoes . Potatoes are a cool - season crop and do best when constitute in early spring , as shortly as the ground thaws . Potatoes require a mountain of wet and even watering throughout the originate time of year .
The ground should be well - drained and amended with constituent matter . measured attention to the pH horizontal surface of the filth is also crucial , as potatoes grow best in slightly acidulous ground . A wintertime mulch , such as wheat , can aid protect potatoes from Robert Frost . With the proper tutelage and attention , Nebraska gardeners can look fore to a successful potato harvest home .
Nebraska’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
zona 4 of Nebraska tends to have a moderate climate that sees cold wintertime and hot summers . wintertime typically have temperatures that dip below freezing and can attain as low as -30 ° F during utmost cold spells . summer lean to be raging and humid and can pass on temperatures of up to 95 ° farad . Precipitation is generally temperate throughout the year , and snow can tramp from moderate to heavy look on the time of year .
geographical zone 5 of Nebraska is slightly warmer than Zone 4 and has a more extreme climate . winter be given to be cold and dry with average temperature of 20 ° degree Fahrenheit . Highs in the wintertime can reach as humiliated as -20 ° F during extreme cold go . Summers are spicy and humid and can reach temperatures of up to 100 ° atomic number 9 . Precipitation is unremarkably restrained throughout the twelvemonth , with snow ranging from luminosity to operose calculate on the season .
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting come potatoes for growing in Nebraska , it is significant to be mindful of the salmagundi ’s days to harvest and the length of time you have before you want to harvest them .
Early - season varietiessuch as ‘ Yukon Gold ’ and ‘ Red Norland ’ have few day to glean and should be planted as presently as potential for harvesting in tardy summer .
Mid - season varietiessuch as ‘ Russet Burbank ’ and ‘ Kennebec ’ have more days to harvest and should be planted in late April or former May for harvest home in crepuscule .
Late - season varietiessuch as ‘ Cara Russet ’ and ‘ All naughty ’ have the most days to harvest and should be plant in former April or early May for harvesting in early winter . Be sure to select variety with the right number of days to harvest for your intended harvest date . Some practiced potato varieties for Nebraska include :
When To Plant Potatoes In Nebraska
Potatoes should be planted in Nebraska in betimes to mid - April . Planting should occur when the soil is at least 45 degree Fahrenheit and there is no terror of frost . engraft too early on can leave in a step-down in yield , while planting too latterly can result in humble spud . The planting date for Solanum tuberosum in Nebraska are :
How To Plant Potatoes In Nebraska
Begin the planting process for seeded player white potato by tilling the soil to a depth of 8 inches and incorporating constitutional compost . Once you have done this , regain a sunny fix that receives at least 8 hour of unmediated sunlight and station the seed Solanum tuberosum .
establish the seed white potato with the “ centre ” facing upward , depart a distance of 8 to 10 inches in between each . traverse the seminal fluid potatoes with a layer of soil that is 3 - 4 inch buddy-buddy , and make certain to irrigate them adequately . As the potatoes start to sprout , add more territory to the rows to keep them adequately buried .
irrigate the potatoes on a unconstipated fundament and off any weeds from the arena . For those living in hot and dry climates , you may want to cover the dirt around the potatoes with drinking straw , although this is not indispensable .
Caring For Potato Plants
worry for potato plant life is passably easy – they ’re unbelievably hardy and generally no - fuss . Potato plant need full sun and well - run out soil to thrive . They should be watered profoundly and regularly , allowing the soil to dry out between waterings .
Fertilizing is also authoritative for optimal growth . white potato plant need a balanced fertilizer with adequate role nitrogen , phosphorus , and K . This should be apply every four to six hebdomad , count on the soil ’s nutrient content .
It is also crucial to keep the soil evenly moist , as potatoes do not tolerate ironic or waterlogged conditions . Mulching around the potato plant life can help oneself retain wet and cut down gage .
When To Harvest Potatoes In Nebraska
There are two certain ways to know your potatoes are aboutready to harvest!The first is reckon rearwards from your current date to their planting appointment . Potato varieties have an approximate number of day to reap , so consult the solar day to harvest for the particular variety of potato you ’ve embed . If you are n’t trusted , assume it ’s around 100 days .
The appearing of your potato plants is another dead giveaway . You will know your tater are ready to harvest when the foliage begins to turn yellow and die back . Your plant will go through an entire anthesis hertz , which is decent because the flowers are really beautiful .
Allow the dirt around the plants to dry before harvest home , but do n’t take into account it to be ironical for too long . Once glean , inspect the potatoes carefully- they should be firm and free of unripened or voiced spotlight .
Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden fork , taking care not to damage the Irish potato in the unconscious process . Once the murphy have all been dug up , brush off any excess soil and scrutinize them for any wrong . Discard any potatoes that are damaged , as these are not suitable for recollective - condition storage .
eventually , gently place the Irish potato in a cool , dry , and dark arena for reposition . It is important to only store undamaged potatoes , as damaged potato can quickly rot .
