Growing Potatoes
When growing potatoes there are lots of different varieties to choose from - colors: flesh and skin colors...speckled, spotted, red, blue, purple, yellow, pink, white - textures - sizes - shapes.
Many decisions to make but one characteristic may help you determine how to plant your seed potatoes. Are your varieties Indeterminate or Determinate?
Indeterminate Potatoes - grow in multiple layers within the soil and must be mounded for best yields. Produce late crops at between 110-135 days. Produce tubers throughout the growing season. Good for containers.
Examples: German Butterball, Russet Burbank, Amarosa, All Blue, French Fingerling
Determinate Potatoes are varieties with tubers that grow in just one layer on smaller plants. They produce early, in about 70 to 90 days. Greater harvest yield in a shorter period since they all develop at the same time.
Examples: Yukon Gold, Red Norland, Purple Majesty, Cal White, Blackberry, Banana
**You should note that sometimes an Indeterminate plant can change to a Determinate plant or vice versa due to several factors including climate, growing zones, light, soil fertility, etc
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How to plant Indeterminate Potatoes - GREAT for containers!
Zones 4-9
Full Sun 6+ Hours daily
Well drained soil that is high in organic matter and PH between 5.0-6.0
Pre-Planting:
If your potatoes have not started forming “eyes” yet place them in a warm location (60-70 degrees) in full sun for 1-2 weeks.
1-2 days before planting cut your potato into 1-2” pieces called “seeds” each seed should contain 1-2 eyes. You should allow your seeds to dry and callous over on the cut portion before planting for 1-2 days, otherwise the bacteria in the soil could rot your seed causing your plant to never grow. *If your potatoes are small just plant the whole thing.
Planting:
Plant after your last frost date when soil temperatures are well above 50 degrees
Indeterminate Potatoes grow in multiple layers within the soil and need to be mounded for best yields.
Indeterminates produce late crops at between 110-135 days
Dig a 12” deep trench and add compost to the bottom. Space each seed 18” apart. Cut side down Eyes up. Cover with only 3-4” of soil. DO NOT fill trench completely. Once you see shoots emerging in approx 2 weeks add another 3-4” of soil. à This is where your potatoes will form between the seed and the final top layer of soil. Again in 2-3 weeks as shoots are approx 8” high bury them in another 3-4” of soil. Keep burying them especially if you see potatoes forming.
If growing in pots or containers, still follow the process of adding 3-4” of soil at a time however it is recommended to dig your initial trench/hole approx 12+” deep if your pot allows.
Potatoes exposed to light turn green and are toxic. Do not eat.
Harvesting:
Approx 2 weeks after your plants have died back it is time to harvest. This 2 week period allows the skin to set and reduces peeling, bruising, and rotting in storage.
If it is nearing the end of your season and your plants have not died back, cut off all the foliage to make sure your potatoes have enough time to form before winter.
Harvest by gently digging around the plant making sure not to use sharp tools to damage the tubers. If you see lots of little potatoes you can leave them in for a few more weeks to grow and only take the largest.
Store in cool, dry, dark place. Each variety stores different lengths.
Tips:
Do not plant potatoes in the same bed as tomatoes to prevent disease
Potatoes should be rotated on a 3 year program
Water frequently and regularly, especially when the plants are in flower and after flower
