Potatoes
Potatoes prefer acidic soil(pH 4.8 to 6.5) because it prevents a disease called scab. Don't add lime to the soil as it will promote scabs on your potatoes. Planting is done as soon as the soil can be worked in the spring. There are several ways to start potatoes:
- Cut the eyes out of a potato and let it dry for 2 to 4 hours before planting it in the soil.
- OR Take cuttings, leaving the eyes in. Each eye should have a piece of potato the size of a small egg attached to it, which will increase the size of your potatoes. Let it dry for 2 to 4 hours before planting it in the soil .
- OR Pre-sprout a potato in a bright but not directly sunny spot for a few weeks. In the first week of June, cut off a chunk of potato the size of a small egg with a sprout or eye on it. Place cuttings on the soil 12 inches (30 cm) apart and let them dry for an hour or two. Then cover them with 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) of straw or hay.
After you sprout your spuds, plant them 3 inches (7.6 cm) deep and 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) apart. Add a thin layer of mulch and keep them watered. When the shoots and leaves eventually poke through the mulch, add another 6 inches (15 cm) of mulch around the plants without covering the leaves. You can peek underneath the mulch to watch the tubers develop and make sure they aren't turning green, which is a signal to add more mulch. When plants reach 9 inches (23 cm) high, hill the potatoes with another 3 to 6 inches (7.6 to 15.2 cm) of soil, hay or straw. Mulching will keep the potatoes from turning green. Green spuds produce an alkaloid poison. Watch for potato bugs while they are growing and treat them if necessary. In September, carefully dig up your potatoes or pull the mulch back to expose the tubers. Brush off any loose dirt, let them dry off, and store them in a cool, dry place.
Fascinating Facts!
- Potatoes were first cultivated over 7,000 years ago in the Andes Mountains of South America.
- The world's largest potato was grown in England in 2011, weighing in at 8.4 pounds (3.8 kilograms)!
- Potatoes are actually the world's fourth largest food crop, after rice, wheat, and maize.
- The potato was the first vegetable to be grown in space. In 1995, potato plants were taken aboard the space shuttle Columbia on a 5-day mission.
- Did you know that potatoes contain more potassium than bananas? One medium potato contains about 620 milligrams of potassium (14% of the recommended daily intake).
- Potatoes are 80% water and are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin B6.
- The word "potato" comes from the Spanish word "patata," which was derived from the Taíno word "batata."
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