Are you a budding gardener? So am I! Learn along with me as I start from the beginning and explore The Basics of starting a successful home garden.
My very first attempt to grow something edible was a propagated sweet potato in a 10 gallon orange bucket from Home Depot. I nursed my tiny crop for months until I was blessed with 5-10 small tubers. Since then, I've been unsuccessful with any type of potato! However, I'm not giving up. This year I'm translating my research and tips from local master growers into a guide. Hopefully these best practices will produce a healthy yield.
A 10 gallon grow bag will need about 1/2 cup of fertilizer worked into the soil before planting.
Potatoes are a staple food in many households, and growing your own potatoes is a rewarding and satisfying experience. Whether you have a large garden or a small balcony, potatoes are easy to grow and can be enjoyed in many different ways. In this guide, we will cover the basics of growing potatoes, including determinate vs indeterminate varieties, germination to harvest times, soil preparation, sunlight needed, and watering requirements.
When planting potatoes, it's best to place them in the soil at a depth of 4-6 inches and spaced about 12 inches apart in rows that are 2-3 feet apart.
Determinate vs Indeterminate Potatoes
Potatoes come in two main types: determinate and indeterminate. Determinate or "bush" varieties grow to a certain height and then stop growing, and the potato tubers develop all at once. Determinate potato crops are usually ready to harvest within a shorter period. Indeterminate or "vine" varieties will continue to grow and produce tubers throughout the growing season until the plant is killed by frost. The plants can grow up to 6 feet tall and have a sprawling growth habit. This type of potato produces tubers at the base of the plant and along the stem, so harvesting can be done gradually over a longer period.
Determinate potatoes are good for container gardening, while indeterminate potatoes are best grown in the ground.
Germination to Harvest Times
Potatoes are usually planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. The exact time will depend on your location and climate. Potatoes usually take around 90 to 120 days to mature. The first sign of growth will be the emergence of sprouts from the seed potatoes. These sprouts will grow into the plant, which will then produce flowers and eventually potatoes.
Soil Preparation
Potatoes require loose, well-draining soil. It is also important to remove any rocks or debris from the soil. Potatoes are prone to rot if the soil is too wet, so make sure the soil is well-drained.
Potatoes are heavy feeders, and they require a lot of nutrients to grow properly. To prepare the soil for potatoes, it is important to incorporate a fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
Before planting, work in a balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 5-10-10 at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds per 100 square feet of garden area. A 10 gallon grow bag is approximately 1.07 sq ft which in turn needs about 1/2 cup of fertilizer worked into the soil before planting. This will help provide the necessary nutrients for the potatoes to grow healthy and strong.
It's also a good idea to add organic matter to the soil, such as compost or aged manure, which will improve the soil structure, fertility, and drainage. This will help the potatoes to develop good root systems and to absorb nutrients and water more efficiently.
Throughout the growing season, it's a good idea to side-dress the potato plants with a balanced fertilizer about 4-6 weeks after planting. This will help provide additional nutrients for the growing plants.
Sunlight Needed
Potatoes require full sun for optimal growth. Make sure to choose a location that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day. If you are growing potatoes in a container, make sure it is placed in a location that gets full sun.
Watering Requirements
As the plants begin to grow, it's important to keep the soil evenly moist, but not waterlogged, by watering deeply once a week (or more often in hot, dry weather). If the soil is too wet, the potatoes will rot. If the soil is too dry, the potatoes will not grow properly.
Growing potatoes is a fun and rewarding experience that can be enjoyed by gardeners of all levels. By choosing the right variety, preparing the soil properly, and providing adequate sunlight and water, you can grow a bumper crop of delicious potatoes in your own garden.
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