Potato
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Potato Solamun tuberosum
Potatoes are easy to grow; however they need a fair amount of space to give a good return. Potatoes are usually grown from small tubers called “seed potatoes”. Always buy certified seed potatoes, grown to a strict standard to ensure they are healthy.
There are dozens of cultivars.
Early, second, and main crop cultivars are classified by the time they take to mature. Early mature the quickest but have the lowest yield. Main crops store well. Skin colors include yellow, pink, purple, and red. Flesh colors are usually white or yellow, but some purple flesh colors exist. Organic and heirloom cultivars are available Ideal Location- Potatoes prefer an open, sunny, site; though will tolerate some shade. The ideal soil is a deep fertile, humus-rich, and preferably acidic soil. Avoid poorly drained sites. Some cultivars can be grown in large containers. Apply a high-fertility soil improver or a low or medium soil-improver plus a nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer prior to planting. Ideal pH is 5-6 Cultivation- Seed potatoes are sprouted or ‘chitted’ before planting to help them grown quickly. To produce small shoots, put potatoes in trays or egg cartons rose end (the side with the most eyes), in late winter or very early spring. Put in a light warm place, 64F(18C) out of direct sunlight until shoots have just started to grow. Move to a cooler position for about 6 weeks before planting outside. Growing under cover- Plant mid-February, protecting from frost. Growing outside- Plant into trenches or individual holes, 3-6 in (7-15cm) deep and cover with at least 1in (3cm) of soil. Potatoes can also be grown on the soil surface under a mulch using the no-dig method. Plant mid-March to May. Tubers suffer if planted in cold, wet soil. Protect early plantings from frost. Spacing- Early potato cultivars 11-14in (28-35cm) apart x 15x20in (38x50cm) between rows. Second early and main cultivars 14-18in (35-45cm) x 26-30 in (65-75cm)
Block Planting – 12in 30(cm) for early cultivars and 14in (35cm) for 2 early and main cultivars. Plant care- Protect early cultivars from frost by covering foliage with soil, straw, newspaper or row covers if frost is likely. Earthing-up, which is mounding soil on potatoes as they grow, bring the soil up to the shoots. This helps control weeds, prevents tubers from turning green, and gives some protection from tuber blight.
Start when plants are 6 in (15cm) tall leaving a small amount of foliage showing. Mound up again just before the foliage meets across the rows. Alternatively the plants can be mulched with a thick layer of straw, hay, or leaf mold which help conserve moisture. Soil Moisture and watering- For the highest yield of good-sized tubers keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Watering is most effective when tubers are marble sized which usually coincides with flowering). Water the soil, not the foliage. Problems- Slugs, Potato Cyst Nematodes, scab, blackleg, black heart and hollow heart, internal browning, late blight magnesium and potassium deficiency. Harvesting- Early crops should be harvested in late June or early July, 2nd early cultivars in late July to August, and main crops in September. Potatoes are usually ready when foliage begins to die down. All tubers must be dug out of the ground to prevent disease. Harvest on a dry day and rub off excess soil. Keep tubers in a cool dark place 45-50F (7-10C). Allow slight humidity and air circulation. Nutrients- Potatoes are a good source of vitamin B6, C, Copper, manganese, potassium, dietary fiber, and tryptophan (if not eaten as potato chips and French fries)
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