How to Grow Potatoes
Planting Yukon Gold seed potatoes involves several steps to ensure successful growth. Here's a detailed guide.
Selecting Seed Potatoes: Choose high-quality Yukon Gold seed potatoes like this from a reputable supplier.
Preparing Soil: Prepare a well-drained, loose soil rich in organic matter. Yukon Gold potatoes prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.8 to 6.5.
Choose a Location: Select a sunny location for planting, as potatoes require at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
Tilling the Soil: Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of at least 6-8 inches.
Adding Compost: Incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil to improve its fertility and structure.
Planting Time: Plant Yukon Gold potatoes in early spring, after the last frost date in your area.
Chitting Potatoes: Place the seed potatoes in a cool, well-lit area for a few weeks before planting to encourage sprouting.
Cutting Seed Potatoes: If desired, cut larger seed potatoes into smaller pieces, each containing at least 2-3 eyes or sprouts.
Curing Cut Potatoes: Allow cut potatoes to cure for a day or two before planting to prevent rotting.
Spacing: Dig furrows or trenches spaced about 12-15 inches apart.
Planting Depth: Plant seed potatoes about 3-4 inches deep with the cut side down and eyes facing upward.
Spacing Within Rows: Space seed potatoes about 10-12 inches apart within the rows.
Covering with Soil: Cover the planted potatoes with soil, leaving a slight depression to hold water.
Watering: Water the newly planted potatoes thoroughly to settle the soil and ensure good contact between the soil and the seed potatoes.
Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw or shredded leaves, to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Hilling: As the potato plants grow, gradually mound soil around the stems to encourage the development of more tubers and protect them from sunlight, which can turn them green and bitter.
Fertilizing: Side-dress the potato plants with a balanced fertilizer when they reach about 6 inches in height and again when they begin to flower.
Watering Consistently: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged throughout the growing season, especially during dry periods.
Weed Control: Regularly remove weeds from the potato patch to reduce competition for nutrients and water.
Monitoring for Pests and Diseases: Keep an eye out for common potato pests and diseases, such as potato beetles, aphids, and late blight, and take appropriate measures to control them.
Supporting Tall Plants: Stake tall potato plants if necessary to prevent them from falling over and breaking.
Harvesting: Harvest Yukon Gold potatoes when the plants have died back and the skins are set, typically 2-3 weeks after the foliage turns yellow and begins to wither.
Curing: After harvesting, cure the potatoes by allowing them to dry in a cool, dark place for 7-10 days to toughen the skins and prolong storage.
Storage: Store cured potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated location, such as a root cellar or pantry, to prevent sprouting and rotting.
Enjoying: Finally, enjoy the delicious Yukon Gold potatoes you've grown with care!
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Image via Hal Nguyen (Unsplash)
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