They are known by many names: Solanum tuberosumpotatoes or potatoes are the most common of them in our language. However, what they are immediately recognized around the world regardless of language, is because of their taste.
Since the expansion of the potato as a culinary ingredient throughout the world back in the 18th century, there are very few kitchens and palates that have not been delighted with the flavor of this tuber in many different ways. If you want to grow your own potatoes at home to enjoy an organic product that you have seen grow, join us in this EcologíaVerde text where we are going to see how to plant potatoes step by step.
When to plant potatoes or potatoes – the best time
Potato planting tends to be done more or less universally at beginning of spring, around March or April. However, it largely depends on the weather. Areas with mild winters and no frosts can allow us to sow them at the end of winter, thus bringing forward the harvest. In the same way, there are those who sow them end of summer.
Learn much more about the best time to plant potatoes and their calendar with this other guide on when to plant potatoes.
How to sow potatoes or potatoes – steps for planting
Planting potatoes is very simple, since what we will use will be the potatoes themselves, that is, the tuber of the plant. Let’s take a look at the process how to plant potatoes step by step:
- Prepare the soil: Potatoes need soil with good drainage, so avoid using soil that gets waterlogged. If you have a large container, you can also use it for your potatoes, but remember that the tubers need a good amount of space below ground to develop. Many farmers and hobbyists advise enriching the soil with manure on the day of sowing. In this other post we give you several Tips to prepare the land to plant vegetables.
- Prepare the potatoes for planting: you can use normal potatoes, although if you buy them from seed you will get better results. Here we show you +10 types of potatoes so you can get to know different varieties and choose the one you like the most. Once you have the potatoes ready, cut each one into 2 or 3 pieces depending on their size. In this way you will optimize production, obtaining several plants from each potato. You can cut them a few days before planting so that the cuts close, and it is advisable to let the shoots develop a little before planting.
- Bury the split potatoes: do it about 20 or 25 cm deep, leaving a distance of 35 cm between each one on the line. If you are using pots, leave a single piece for each one, as when it develops it will take up all of it unless it is really big. If you are planting in an orchard and you use several lines or furrows, leave about 70 cm between them.
How to grow potatoes or potatoes – basic care
now that you know when and how to plant potatoes or potatoeswe give you a series of basic care for growing potatoes or potatoes at home or in a plot of land or orchard.
- One of the main enemies of potatoes are adventitious weeds, commonly called weeds, which are those that appear spontaneously and unwanted around our plants. It is important that you keep the soil of your potatoes clean of these weeds, especially during the first 6 or 8 weeks.
- Potatoes also appreciate the presence of potassium in the soilwhich can be added in the form of granular fertilizer, or by burying basil or elder leaves in the soil.
- Regarding irrigation, the potato needs moisture but not waterlogging. You must water enough to not let the soil become excessively dry. For this, the drip irrigation it is a very good option. Here we show you how to make a homemade drip irrigation system.
- In addition, potato cultivation requires a hilling. This consists of covering the base of the plant with soil as the tubers begin to grow, thus preventing them from being exposed on the surface. If not done, the potatoes will turn green, becoming toxic for consumption.
- As a final detail, it is good to point out that the potato is a crop that extracts a large amount of nutrients from the soil, so, although it is never advisable to sow the same plant in the same soil two seasons in a row, with this crop it is particularly inadvisable repeat their planting in the same land. Learn how to apply crop rotation, its types and benefits.
When to harvest potatoes or potatoes
After learning when and how to plant potatoes, as well as discovering some tips on their cultivation, you just need to learn when to harvest them. The time of harvesting the potatoes or potatoes varies depending on the variety of potatoes planted and the climate of the area. However, these edible tubers should be ready to be picked between about 2 and 5 months after sowing.
Another point to keep in mind is that you will usually know it is time to harvest them when the stems of the plant start to dry out and turn yellowish.
Discover more edible tubers in this other article on Tubers: what they are and examples with photos.
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