Potatoes are a great vegetable for beginners to grow, but there are a few key things you need to know to make sure you get a good harvest
If you fancy trying your hand at growing some veggies, the humble spud is a top choice for novices. These robust veggies are simple to cultivate and yield roughly five potatoes per plant – not too shabby for starters.
But there’s a vital detail for homegrown tater enthusiasts to heed: timing. For gardeners, April provides a milder climate, which are primed for potato planting.
Top gardening expert, TN Nursery’s Tammy Sons, has shared a nugget of wisdom for potato planting with The Spruce, saying: “The ground needs to be fairly dry and loose because potatoes cannot handle soggy conditions.”
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Potatoes bask in sunlight, too, so securing a sunny patch is crucial. The foliage above soil craves six hours of sun exposure daily to thrive and nourish the tubers underground.
When it’s time to get planting, pick out potatoes peppered with ‘eyes’ – those tiny protuberances that pop up when they’ve been left too long in the cupboard, reports the Express.
Slice them into pieces, each sporting at least one promising eye, and let these slices air out for a couple of days to fend off rot.
Plant them with the ‘eye’ gazing upwards. For optimal growth, potatoes need a good burial – about 12 inches deep, settled six to eight inches apart.
Keep in mind, spuds snub steamy soil, so a layer of mulch will help keep things chill. If you’re curious about when to harvest your potatoes, the best indicator is the condition of the tops.
When the leaves above ground wilt and die off, it’s time to gather your vegetables. This typically occurs around 90 to 120 days from when you initially plant them.
