subject: Growing Potatoes in any Climate [print this page] Potatoes are believed to have been grown since 500 B.C. and other crops as well. As people migrate to other places they take with them seeds so that they could grow food in their new place. Pioneers in farming knew that they need to grow their own food in order to sustain life.
Today, growing potatoes has improved then as the science of agriculture has greatly improved in growing crops. Growing potatoes can now be done at almost any climate.
Growing potatoes either on your own backyard or on a farm, you would to know how to get your soil ready for planting, how to grow, harvest and store potatoes, how to get rid of weeds and crop pest and how to sell once it's been grown.
Potatoes are the fourth most widely grown crop following wheat, rice and corn.
Varieties of potatoes are valuable at a local nursery to determine which one suits best to plant. Preparing the seed potatoes are as important for this will greatly determine the yield of your crop.
Potatoes grow on soil that is moist, acidic (pH less than 6). Use well-composted manure to fertilize your soil before planting. Do not use fresh manure for this will burn the potatoes.
Cut the seed potatoes with one or two eyes on the surface. Plant with the eyes facing upward and put then 5 inches deep and 15 inches apart to give room for the potatoes to grow. Potatoes are generally planted in the early spring 2 weeks before the last frost where the soil temperature reaches 45 degrees F.
Growing potatoes are not alone, the weeds grow as well. Keep weeds to a minimum by removing them but not too deeply near the plants. Watch out for the insects as they appear. Remove and destroy the insects by hand picking them. Blight kills the vines where the air is moist and cool. This disease can be prevented by spraying on a weekly basis. It is best to consult your local authority as to what chemicals are legal and effective.
Scab also attacks potato plant. To avoid this plant resistant potato varieties and treat carefully your soil. Lime in soil should not be put before potatoes are planted. Remember to keep the soil moist, well-drained but not soggy.
Potatoes are harvested when most of the plant has withered. Use a garden fork in harvesting to avoid scarring your potatoes. Potatoes are best stored in dark, cool, and dry place. Avoid exposing them to too much sunlight for this will make the potatoes "seed".
Growing Potatoes in any Climate
By: Dinah Bee Menil
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