It’s been pouring down rain for days, and I’m seizing this moment to dive into the garden and plant my fall potatoes. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this for two months, especially since we ran out of white potatoes a month ago. You see, I’m determined to grow my own veggies and avoid store-bought whenever possible. While sweet potatoes are fantastic, a bit of variety is always welcome. So, let’s jump right in…
Potato Planting Chronicles:
1. Getting the Right Start:
- Invest in seed potatoes for a better yield compared to grocery store varieties.
- Sprout the potatoes by placing them in a sunny spot for a couple of weeks.
- Cut the potatoes, ensuring each piece has at least 2 sprouts or eyes. Testing out cutting vs. planting whole for a potential larger harvest—stay tuned!
2. Bed Preparation:
- Clear away mulch and use a rake to create deep rows (5-6 inches) for planting.
- Add nutrient-rich Gardentone fertilizer to the rows.
- Fertilizing during planting often eliminates the need for additional fertilization.
3. Planting Process:
- Plant potatoes with the cut side down and sprouts facing upward.
- Space them 6-8 inches apart for optimal growth.
- Cover with soil and mulch.
- Water the potatoes thoroughly. Thanks to the rain and the depth of planting, additional watering might not be needed for a while.
4. The Waiting Game:
- Patience is key. It’ll take 2-3 weeks for sprouts to emerge.
- Once sprouts reach about 6 inches, consider adding mulch to the rows to hill them up, providing more space for upward growth.
5. Optional Hilling:
- While hilling isn’t mandatory, it may result in a more bountiful harvest by giving the potatoes additional room to grow.
- Hilling can be done once or twice, or sometimes not at all—depends on the season and my level of laziness!
