When and how to plant potatoes?

Gardening is a relaxing and exciting activity that can produce satisfying results. Planting potatoes is a great starting point for new gardeners.

You need to know when and how to plant potatoes to get the most out of your harvest.

In this article, we will share some valuable tips on how to plant potatoes successfully.

Choosing the right varieties

To have a good potato crop, you need to choose the right variety. There is a wide range of varieties, from firm-fleshed and soft-fleshed to sweet and sour-flavored.

In addition, some varieties are adapted to specific weather conditions. So you’ll want to make sure you identify the type of soil and climate in your area before choosing the variety that best suits your needs. Once you’ve selected the right variety, you’ll need to proceed with purchasing the seeds.

You can purchase seeds online or from a local dealer. You should also make sure that the seeds you purchase are disease free. This will ensure that your crop will be healthy and abundant.

Prepare the soil

Before planting potatoes, it is important to prepare the soil. This is best done in the fall, after the leaves have fallen. The first step is to aerate the soil. To do this, it is advisable to use a claw or a spade and pass it over the surface several times. It is then necessary to proceed to a wedding.

This will remove weeds that could prevent the potatoes from growing properly. Once this step is done, the ground should be well-raked. Then you can amend it with compost or manure to bring good fertility to the soil.

Planting and maintaining potatoes

Planting and maintenance of potatoes are very important steps for a successful crop.
First of all, it is necessary to use seedlings adapted to the chosen variety.
Then, the land must be prepared, by turning it over and cleaning it.

A hole must then be dug, about 10 cm deep and with a distance of at least 30 cm between each potato.

Once placed, the seedlings should be covered with soil and watered regularly.
It is then recommended that the soil around the tubers be folded back to improve their development.

To avoid diseases and promote a good yield, it is also important to weed regularly and mulch.

When the time comes, potatoes should be harvested before the leaves reach full maturity.
This will ensure that the tubers are well-formed and more flavorful. Harvesting can be done with a fork or a scraper and should be done gently so as not to damage the potatoes.

Harvesting potatoes

The harvest time for potatoes depends on the varieties chosen. Some varieties ripen faster than others. In general, short (dwarf) varieties are ready to harvest between 60 and 80 days after planting.

Firm-fleshed, high-yielding varieties, such as Bintje, can take up to 120 days. Firm-fleshed varieties stay in the ground well after ripening. These are the ones that are available on the market the longest.

As the tubers mature, the vegetation wilts and dries out. The color of the leaves turns yellow-brown and the plant naturally weakens. When this happens, it is time to dig the tubers with a fork or similar tool and collect them.

Once harvested, the tubers should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated area. Potatoes can be stored for 3 months if stored properly.

In conclusion, planting potatoes is very easy and can be done at any time. It is important to choose the right time and place to plant potatoes in order to get the best yield.

The garden tips offered here will help you plant potatoes more easily and get a better result.