Growing Potatoes
Potatoes are a garden staple. They may be eaten many ways: fried, boiled, or creamed. Haywood County UT Extension Director Walter Battle talks about the basics of growing potatoes. In the Mid-South, potatoes are usually planted from mid-March to mid-April. It takes 90-100 days from planting to harvest. In warmer climates it is possible to grow a spring and a fall crop. Potatoes like a pH of 6.1-6.2. Use a 6-12-12 fertilizer if your soil needs the nutrients. A soil test will tell you.
The eye of the potato will grow into a plant. Several days before planting, cut your seed potatoes so there are eyes on each piece. Set them aside for several days so the cut dries and scabs over. Plant six inches deep with each potato piece about a foot apart. When the potato plants are about six inches tall cover the bottom 3-4 inches with a mound of soil. When the plants die back the potatoes are ready to dig. Dig from the side to avoid damaging the potatoes. Do not wash the potatoes, that will cause rot. Lay them out for several weeks to allow them to dry out and cure before storing them. If stored in a cool place they can last many months.
Potatoes are the favorite food of the Colorado potato beetle. There are several insecticides on the market that can control that insect. Potatoes are in the same family as tomatoes and get many of the same diseases. Early blight can affect potatoes but can be controlled with fungicides.
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The eye of the potato will grow into a plant. Several days before planting, cut your seed potatoes so there are eyes on each piece. Set them aside for several days so the cut dries and scabs over. Plant six inches deep with each potato piece about a foot apart. When the potato plants are about six inches tall cover the bottom 3-4 inches with a mound of soil. When the plants die back the potatoes are ready to dig. Dig from the side to avoid damaging the potatoes. Do not wash the potatoes, that will cause rot. Lay them out for several weeks to allow them to dry out and cure before storing them. If stored in a cool place they can last many months.
Potatoes are the favorite food of the Colorado potato beetle. There are several insecticides on the market that can control that insect. Potatoes are in the same family as tomatoes and get many of the same diseases. Early blight can affect potatoes but can be controlled with fungicides.
Related Videos:
Planting Potatoes
Planting Sweet Potatoes
Related Resources:
Potato
Growing potatoes in home gardens
Potatoes in the Home Garden