How to Plant Potatoes! 🥔🌿 // Garden Answer

Summary

In this video, Laura from Garden Answer walks viewers through the simple yet rewarding process of planting potatoes. She explains how to choose the right spot with plenty of sunlight, prepare the soil for optimal growth, and properly plant potato pieces with eyes facing up. She also highlights the importance of watering and caring for the plants, especially during the flowering stage when tubers are developing. Additionally, Laura shares tips on maintaining soil health, using fertilizers, and understanding the best time to harvest, making this a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in growing their own potatoes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Plant potatoes in a sunny spot that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight for optimal growth.
• 😀 Potatoes require light and fluffy soil to allow room for tubers to grow and expand.
• 😀 Raised beds are recommended if you have heavy clay soil, as they help control soil consistency.
• 😀 Adding a starter fertilizer to the soil is essential as potatoes thrive in fertile soil.
• 😀 Potatoes prefer a pH between 5 and 6, but they can adapt to varying conditions.
• 😀 Before planting, cut larger potatoes into pieces with at least one or two eyes and let them dry for a day or two to prevent rot.
• 😀 Dig trenches 4-6 inches deep, place the potatoes with eyes facing up, and space them about 8-12 inches apart.
• 😀 More space between potatoes generally results in larger tubers, so adjust planting spacing accordingly.
• 😀 Water potatoes consistently, especially during the flowering stage when they are producing tubers. Ensure the top 1-2 inches of soil dry out between watering.
• 😀 Once the plants reach 8-10 inches tall, mound the soil around the base to keep the plants cool and help produce more tubers.
• 😀 Potatoes typically take around 100 days to mature, so keep track of the time and watch for the plants to yellow and fall over as a sign to harvest.

Q & A

Why is planting potatoes considered easy?

Planting potatoes is considered easy because much of the growth happens underground, meaning there's less to manage on the surface, and the process itself is straightforward.

What is the ideal location for planting potatoes?

Potatoes should be planted in a location that receives a lot of sunlight, ideally for at least 6 to 8 hours a day, preferably all-day sun for the best results.

What type of soil is best for growing potatoes?

Potatoes prefer light and fluffy soil that allows room for their tubers to grow. It's important to avoid heavy clay soil as it can hinder the growth of large potatoes.

Why is using raised beds recommended for potatoes?

Raised beds help control the soil's texture, making it easier to grow potatoes in soil that is light and fluffy, and prevent issues with heavy, compacted soil like clay.

What kind of fertilizer should be added to the soil when planting potatoes?

A starter fertilizer, such as Espoma Organic Biotone, is recommended to ensure the soil is fertile enough for potatoes to grow well.

How do you prepare the potatoes before planting them?

To prepare the potatoes, cut larger potatoes into pieces with at least one or two eyes, and let them dry for a day or two to prevent rot from the cut edges.

What is the proper way to plant potato pieces?

When planting, dig trenches about 4 to 6 inches deep, place the potato pieces with eyes facing up, and space them about 8 to 12 inches apart. In raised beds, they can be planted closer together.

How does spacing affect potato growth?

The more space between each potato, the larger the potatoes can grow. In general, closer planting may result in smaller potatoes, while more space allows for larger tubers.

What is 'healing up' and why is it important for potatoes?

'Healing up' refers to mounding soil around the base of the potato plant when it reaches 8 to 10 inches tall. This helps keep the plant cooler and encourages better tuber production.

How often should potatoes be watered during the growing season?

Potatoes should be watered consistently, especially during their flowering stage when they are producing tubers. A deep soak once or twice a week is generally recommended, depending on the climate and soil conditions.

When is it time to harvest potatoes?

Potatoes are ready to harvest when the plants begin to yellow and die back. Typically, Yukon Gold potatoes take about 100 days to mature, so checking the plants around that time can help determine when to harvest.

What are the benefits of using a drip irrigation system for watering potatoes?

A drip irrigation system helps deliver consistent moisture directly to the soil, reducing the chances of over-watering or under-watering and making it easier to maintain the right soil moisture levels for healthy potato growth.