The potato is anativeof Chile and Peru and has been grown for 1000 of days . A cool - season repeated vine in its native abode , it is more likely to be grown as an yearly in other areas . By prefer the right varieties and the best time to plant , you may plant – and harvest – potatoes over a fairly long stop .
Potato Growing Basics
The potato call for fertile , well - run out grunge and should never be mature on the same ground twice . remediate your soil with lots of organic compost , well - rot foliage or ripened manure . Fresh manure may cause potato scab . Make indisputable the land has consistent moisture ; a drip mould system is an excellent way to urine potatoes . Mulch is also helpful . Keep the weeds down to advance better growth .
Spring Planting
Many areas time potato planting around certain religious day . In cold climates , St. Patrick ’s Day is often cited as a good option . The existent key , however , are soil temperature , expected frosts and your power to figure out the soil . tater wo n’t grow until the filth temperature has get to 45 ° F ( 7 ° C ) . A hard frost can damage plants , so early planting carry risks . The grime must be abstemious and crumbly , so you need to work it before planting – heavy springiness rain can have off the schedule .
Summer Planting
If you have a long growing time of year , you could plant white potato vine up until about June 15th . attempt to keep your potato in the ground as long as potential after a summertime planting as it will give them time to reach full adulthood . It also helps increase store time and keeping qualities . lick and amend the stain prior to plant . Mulch to help oneself economise moisture .
Fall Planting
gardener in desert arena with very affectionate winters will usually do well with potatoes planted as a wintertime crop . Work the soil well and add up amendments . Water or plant immediately after a pelting . Mulching will keep moisture in the primer . It ’s ordinarily best to habituate former or mid - season assortment for fall planting , as they are more potential to mature before the spring atmospheric condition turns hot . Some people in cold climates also implant in late pin ; the plant wo n’t bourgeon until spring .
Choosing the Right Varieties
There are more than 4,000 known and/or named white potato vine variety , although most of these are incur only in South America . Potatoes come into several group . The first is short - season or early potatoes that mature in 75 to 90 day . Mid - time of year potatoes suppurate in 90 to 110 day . foresightful - season varieties can take as much as 135 days to grow . Any of these can be reap for “ new ” white potato .
Choices for Short-Season Potatoes
All of these are readily useable :
Choices for Mid-Season Potatoes
These are unspoilt choices
Choices for Long-Season Potatoes
Many of these are heirloom varieties :
Potato Planting By Zone
Potatoes can be grown from USDA Zone 3 to Zone 10b if you choose the right variety show and plant at the right time . In the colder neighborhood , you may not be capable to plant until April or even May and should expend early or mid - time of year variety . In Zone 9 , you could plant from January to March . In Zone 10 b , you should implant from September through March .
Potato Planting and Frost Dates
Whatever your climate or USDA Zone , frost date are key to planting potatoes . A potato works can deal a swooning freeze , but a voiceless freeze can freeze down the vines to the land . In some cases , the plants can recover and go on to make a craw . In spring , it ’s good to plant two to three weeks before you anticipate the last frost . A difficult frost in fall will down plant completely , so time your planting for both maturity date and await frost date .
