Potatoes are one of those crops that not only thrive in the cooler seasons, but also love them. What is particularly good for them is the cooler earth. That's why their growth is disrupted in summer. Since the potatoes are not delicate and are easy to grow, they are ideal for teaching your children to garden. There is also the fun side that you can create with different colored varieties in the garden with potatoes. Simply mix white, red, yellow, brown and blue varieties.
It is also practical that you can easily grow the vegetables in larger containers if you areGartendon't have enough space. Wine barrels, for example, are suitable for this. What you should definitely know about potatoes is that they are only suitable for consumption when they have lost their green color. Even green spots may no longer be present, as the potatoes are then poisonous. So only harvest when they have reached the color of their ripeness. All other parts of the potato plant are also poisonous.
The first thing you should keep in mind is that you choose varieties that are tested and disease-free. It is better not to use potatoes from the supermarket. Once you have got the tubers, you can start preparing the soil. Choose a sunny place for this.
The soil should be nutrient-rich and not allow for backwater. Furthermore, a pH value of less than 5.5 is necessary. Once you have made sure of this, dig out furrows. These should have a depth of approx. 10 cm. Leave a distance of 60 to 90 cm between the individual furrows. The closer the plants are to each other, the better the shade created will ensure that the soil stays cool.
Now cut the seed potatoes into cubes. But make sure that they are about three and a half centimeters tall and have at least two eyes. Let these finished pieces dry for two days. This reduces the risk of rot. You are now done with the preparation.
Spread the potato pieces into the dug furrows. Leave 2.5 to 4 cm between each piece. The eyes must also be directed upwards. Then cover the tubers with 5 cm of soil. Once the seedlings of the potato plant appear, you need to add another 5 cm, leaving the tops of the plant uncovered. In this way, new soil is added at regular intervals until small mounds 10 cm high and 45 cm wide are created.
Apart from preparation and sowing, there is also other work that needs to be done during growth. It is therefore important that the weeds are always removed. The soil must always be evenly moist. To guarantee a cool floor, you canmulch regularly. When the majority of the plants have turned brown, you can water one last time. Then cut the plants after seven to ten days.
Pests that can cause problems include the well-known Colorado potato beetles, as well as aphids, potato flea beetles, grasshoppers and wireworms. Certain types of brown rot are also possible.
All in all, the potatoes mature within 90 to 120 days. You can harvest early potatoes when the potato plant bears flowers. To do this, dig around the plants. If you have a potato variety that doesn't flower, consider two months as a guide.
To harvest the ripe potatoes, it is best to choose a cooler, cloudy day. You can harvest them 5 to 7 days after you cut the plants. A digging fork is particularly suitable for this. This also reduces the risk of damaging the tubers. Dig about 30 cm from the plant. Once the plant is uncovered, you can shake off the soil and store the potatoes in baskets or sacks.
At the beginning, a dark and damp place for storage is necessary. The temperature there should be between 10 and 15 degrees. It is best to cover potatoes stored in a basket with burlap. After two weeks you can store them in a dry place that should also be dark. Good ventilation is also important. It is also important at this time that you remove any injured and disfigured pieces.
