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Brought to you in cooperation with the Kansas State Johnson County Research and Extension Master Gardeners. Each week we feature the most popular questions received on their "Hotline". |
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Week of 3/22/04
Begin with “seed” potatoes, found at most nurseries and seed sources. You will find a bewildering array of varieties and “designer colors” from tan, white, bright yellow and blue for the more adventurous. Some varieties are traditionally suited for special uses or preparation, for instance, white-skinned varieties for baking, mashing and deep frying; red-skinned varieties for boiling; and russet-skinned varieties for baking or boiling.
Most growers feel growing potatoes benefit from side-dressing with either a high nitrogen fertilizer or general garden fertilizer.
Incidentally, there
is no apparent correlation between the appearance of blossoms on the
plants and the development of the potatoes themselves. Sometimes, small
tomato-like green fruits may follow the blooming, but these are not edible
and should be picked off. Information in this article is based in part on the K-State Horticulture Report, Irish Potatoes , by Charles Marr, Extension State Leader, Horticulture. Articles submitted by Bill Latimer, Johnson County Extension
Horticulture Assistant and Dennis Patton, Johnson County Extension Horticulture Agent.
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One
caller to the Hotline volunteers this week was obviously distressed
because something had come up and he would not be able to plant his Irish
potatoes on March 17th. He was assured that the association of St.
Patrick’s Day with the planting of potatoes was traditional rather than
horticultural, although it certainly has merit inasmuch as Irish potatoes
should be planted in mid-March to take advantage of the cool early spring
weather. Here is the information we provided to our caller.
Select
your seed potatoes carefully from USDA certified stock to be sure they are
free of disease. Plant them in mid March to early April, as soon as the
soil can be worked. Selected seed potatoes are cut into 11/2 to 2 oz.
pieces. Ideally, they should be stored at room temperature for a week so
the cut surfaces may heal over and help prevent decay when they are
planted. Plant the cured pieces in rows 2 to 3 feet apart, at a depth of 3
to 4 inches. The soil should be light, well-drained and high in organic
content. Adequate watering is needed. During dry periods, provide 1 inch
of water weekly to ensure a yield of tubers of good size and quality. The
tubers will begin to form when the plants are 6 to 8 inches tall. Early
planting is important because the tubers develop best during cooler
weather. Tubers develop along the stem above the planted seed piece. This
is the reason that as soon as the tubers begin to develop, the plants are
hilled or mounded with loose soil as the plant continues to grow. Shallow
cultivation and hilling also help control weeds which may compete with the
developing potatoes.
Depending
upon the variety and weather conditions, potatoes planted in mid March
should be ready for digging during July. It is suggested that waiting
until the vine begins to die may produce maximum yields.