Potato Gardening Planting

Potato gardening planting is a great way to help prepare the growths of others crops for the coming year. We not only love to eat, but also grow potatoes in our garden. Homegrown potatoes are always sweet to taste. Many people have potatoes in their daily diet. It is the largest grown food crop in the world. Thirty-five pounds of potatoes are grown every year in the United States alone.

Growing potatoes need a lot of sunlight to grow. Potatoes need to be planted in well-drained system, but care must be taken that the moisture stays for a better crop. Potatoes require slightly acidic soil and a PH balance of 5.8-6.5 should be maintained. Even if the soil conditions are not very favorable, the potato crop adapts its self to the environment.

potatoes growing climates

Potatoes can be planted in the early spring. To ensure the growth of potatoes, the soil temperature has to reach 45 F. The soil should not be soggy or wet, just evenly moist. When you dig in to the soil, make sure it is not water logged or the seed potatoes will rot before growing. When the potato plant is young it should be protected from frost. When planting a potato plant only certified seeds should be used. These seeds are disease free and are not a threat for the plant. These seeds are easily available in garden stores and nurseries.

Planting of potatoes

Before you plan to plant the potato seeds, keep them aside for two three weeks, where they will get enough of sunlight and warmth as well. This will allow the seeds to sprout. Before planting the seeds, use a clean knife to cut the bigger seeds in to smaller ones.

With potatoes gardening planting you should remember that each seed has to be one and the half to two inches square and they must contain at least one or two buds. Small potato seeds need not be cut. In another two three days a thick callous will be formed on the cuts. Once the seed is planted, this callous will stop the seed from rotting.

Normally potatoes grow well in rows at a distance of 21/2 to 3ft. if you have a small space you can plant one or two potato mounds. Six to eight potato plants can easily be supported by the mounds. Before you plant the potato, you need to treat the soil. Remove all the debris, rocks and weeds from the soil. This will not only loosen the soil, but also give the plant enough space to grow.

Potatoes gardening planting will grow well if provided with good compost and organic matter. Do not use too much of organic matter, or the potatoes will be infected with bacteria called the potato scab. Though this does not affect the potato, it will make them look ugly. You can put the organic matter in the soil before planting the seed, so that only the roots can absorb the organic matter, and the newly formed potatoes do not get in touch with it.

Potato gardening planting-watering

Just like any plant potato gardening planting need proper watering time and again. In summer, the plant will require more water for a better growth. A neglected plant may not produce good and sufficient amount of potatoes. With proper care of the plant before and after planting it, you are sure to get tasty potatoes. If you are planning to regularly plant potatoes, make sure you don�t plant them in the same place for more than three years.

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