Growing potatoes at home is rewarding, but a key element is how deep you should plant your tubers. Knowing how deep you should plant them ensures they receive all the nutrients they need to thrive and produce an abundant harvest!
Discover why planting depth is important, what is best for growing these delicious spuds, and much more. So, grab some gardening gloves and start digging deeper to learn how to plant your potatoes!
How Deep Should You Plant Potatoes?
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First, the basics. Potatoes grow underground, and the part eaten is the tuber. When planting potatoes, bury the seed potato (the potato used to grow a new plant) deep enough so that the tubers can form without being exposed to sunlight. The general rule of thumb is to plant potatoes about 6 to 8 inches deep.
Why Depth Is Important
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Not sowing potatoes correctly can lead to problems such as poor growth or disease outbreaks. Planting them too shallow may cause the tubers to become exposed to sunlight, which can cause them to turn green and produce more solanine, a toxic compound. Solanine causes symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, delirium, and diarrhea. In rare cases, it may be fatal.
Planting potatoes too deep is also problematic. If you plant the tubers too deep, they may not have enough access to oxygen, which causes them to rot, leading to a reduced crop yield.
How to Plant Potatoes
Besides the planting depth, there are a few other factors to consider when planting potatoes.
Location
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When it comes to planting potatoes, location is key. Not only does your planting spot need at least six hours of direct sunlight each day for the potatoes to grow correctly, but the soil itself needs to be just right.
Fertile and loose soil helps your potatoes develop into big, round tubers, so avoid places with hard or compacted dirt. You also want to aim for slightly acidic soil (with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5.)
When to Plant
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One way to ensure a successful potato crop is by planting during the right time of year. Doing so gives them the best opportunity to thrive and maximizes your harvest.
Sow potatoes when soil temperatures reach between 45 and 55 degrees Fahrenheit -- usually in early spring. Planting at this time ensures no danger of frost, which can damage or kill the young plants.
Spout Your Potatoes
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Before you set out to your garden, give the potatoes a head start, so they are ready and healthy when it comes time to plant them.
Two weeks before your planting date, place your seed potatoes in an area where they get plenty of light. Aim for temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so helps kick-start the sprouting process.
One day before planting, cut your larger seed potatoes into smaller pieces -- about 2 inches square. Ensure each piece contains at least one or two eyes -- this is very important for development! If you have smaller seed potatoes, plant them whole.
After cutting the seed potatoes, leave them out to allow them to form a callous over the cuts, which should take about 24 to 48 hours. Once they're done, start planting your potatoes!
Planting
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Before planting, remove all weeds from your plot. Now, dig a trench that is 6 to 8 inches deep. If you use regular tubers, bury them 12 to 15 inches apart. Space the rows 3 feet apart. When setting the potato into the ground, place the cut side facing down and the eyes pointing up.
Once you have planted all your spuds, cover them with 4 inches of soil to fill the trench and gently press it down. Continue to add soil as they grow.
Watering
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Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Aim to give your spuds 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Watering too much or too little can cause your potatoes to become misshapen as they grow.
Once the leaves turn yellow, discontinue watering. It's almost harvest time!
Harvest
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Knowing when and how to harvest taters is needed for good results. Harvest them two to three weeks after the plants stop flowering.
When it's time to harvest, gently dig around the plants with your hands or a trowel. Doing this on dry days helps prevent damage while you're harvesting.
Ready for a Potato Party?
Planting potatoes is a fun and rewarding venture for the home gardener, but the recipe for success is getting the planting depth right. Knowing precisely how deep to plant your tuber gives them access to the nutrients they need to get off to a great start, leading to higher yields of delicious potatoes. With the proper knowledge and practice, you, too, can enjoy an abundant harvest of healthy, mouth-watering tots.
Leave a comment below and let everyone know what you think about growing potatoes at home. And remember, share this article with your family and friends who are just as passionate about homegrown spuds!