I'm excited to grow potatoes this year and I'm looking for any advice on good varieties to plant and effective methods for doing so. What should I keep in mind?
3 Answers
Check out the different potato varieties and pick what fits your needs. I love growing first early new potatoes because they taste way better than store-bought ones. They're quick to mature, leaving you time to plant something else afterward, like leeks. For the heavier maincrops, they take forever to grow and aren’t much more impressive than what you can get from local farms, so it's all about what you're looking for!
To grow potatoes successfully, start with loose soil. If you're cutting seed potatoes, make sure they have sprouts or 'eyes' before doing so, and let them dry out properly to prevent rot. Water the plants carefully; if they're standing upright, they're usually good. Only harvest them once the plants start to yellow. When digging, use your hands as much as possible to avoid cutting them. Let them dry before cleaning!
Definitely consider Yukon Gold for yellow, Red Pontiac for red, or Russet Burbank for baking. If space is a concern, container gardening is a great option! As your potato plants grow, remember to hill up soil around them to encourage more tuber growth. Make sure they're well-watered and get plenty of sunlight. Good luck! 🌱🪴