If you want to plant potatoes and own your own farm, now is the best time to do it. But, before you get started, think about the best planting strategy for your yard.
Potatoes can be planted as soon as the soil is free of frost and you are able to work it during the gardening season.
In a 6-inch-deep hole or trench, plant seed potato segments cut-side down (eyes up). On all sides, space each piece 12 inches apart. Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of a low-nitrogen, high-phosphorous fertilizer between each section. After that, cover both the potatoes and the fertilizer with two inches of dirt and thoroughly moisten the soil.
For optimal results, maintain your potato patch weed-free. Potatoes should be rotated in the garden, never being planted in the same area again until 3-4 years have passed.
When Should You Plant Potatoes?
Plant potatoes as soon as the ground can be handled in the early spring, but keep in mind the soil temperatures. Potato plants won’t start growing until the soil temperature reaches 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Moisture should be present in the soil, but not too so.
In the Garden, Planting Potatoes
Potatoes grow best in rows, according to our research. To begin, dig a 6- to 8-inch-deep trench. Plant each slice of potato every 12-15 inches, with the eyes pointing up, and the rows spaced 3 feet apart. You can reduce the spacing between plants if your space is restricted or if you simply want to raise tiny potatoes.
When to Harvest Potatoes
After the plants have done flowering, baby potatoes can be harvested 2-3 weeks later. Dig around the plants gently to remove potatoes for fresh eating, taking care not to disturb them. Remove the largest new potatoes and leave the smaller ones in situ to allow them to grow.
For more information on how to plant potatoes, see this post.
