Growing Potatoes

Potatoes, taters, spuds....by any name they are what they are,
potatoes are a staple in the diet of many people all around the
world and they're also incredibly easy to grow. But
before you run out to the garden with your shovel and hoe,
there are a few things to know about growing potatoes.

Potatoes should not be planted too early while the ground is
still cold. Potatoes do tolerate cool soil and a light frost,
but not much growth will take place until the soil warms up a bit.

Don't rush to your garden center looking for potato seedlings or packets
of potato seeds for sale. Interesting though, potatoes are grown
from seed potatoes. A seed potato is merely ordinary potato with
at least one "eye" or sprout. An amazing variety of seed potatoes
are available at garden centers and in seed catalogs.

Seed potatoes may be planted whole or cut into pieces with at
least one eye per piece. Seed potatoes with more eyes will
grow to produce a larger quantity of smaller potatoes while
seed potatoes with fewer eyes will produce fewer, but larger
potatoes.

If you choose to cut your seed potatoes into smaller pieces,
divide them the day before planting. This will allow the cut to
slightly heal which helps prevent soil-borne diseases from infecting
your crop. Always choose seed potatoes that are free from blemishes.

Plant your seed potatoes two to three inches deep in good, rich soil.
Rows of potatoes should be about three feet apart and the potatoes
within the row should be about a foot apart. Planting your potatoes
in a different area of your garden each year will also help prevent disease
and insect infestations from year to year.

Potato plants will begin to emerge one to three weeks after planting,
depending on the soil temperature. When the plants are about
a foot tall, use your hoe to mound six to eight inches of soil
against the potato plants. You can also use some straw or other mulch
to ensure the little potatoes will stay out of the sunlight that
causes them to be bitter and green.

Potato plants need to be uniformly watered during the growing season.
Fertilizer needs are very important. Spread 1 1/2 pound of 16-16-8 fertilizer
per 100 square feet of planting area or 1 cup per 10 feet of row and mix with
soil before planting. More fertilizer should be added when plants are 6" tall
and again at first blossoming. Use 1/2 cup ammonium sulfate (21-0-0-0 per
10 feet of row.

Once the plants have bloomed, you can begin to harvest little new
potatoes. After the foliage has begun to dry and die back, the
entire crop can be dug. Allow the potatoes to dry for a day or
two out of direct sunlight before storing them in a cool, dry and
dark place.

Potatoes are members of the Nightshade family, the plant has a bitter
poisonous sap in its stems and leaves. When the potato tuber is exposed
to the sun, it turns green and bitter. The chemical produced in this process
is poisonous if ingested in sufficient quantities. If the green layer is removed
when peeled, the potato is still edible.

Garden grown potatoes taste so much better than any can buy, because
you have an investment of work, care and attention in them.
Happy Gardening!!!!