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POTATO
GROWING
INFORMATION
©
Frances Michaels
COMMON NAMES:
potato
BOTANICAL NAME:
Solanum tuberosum
FAMILY:
Solanaceae,
the tomato family
PLANT DESCRIPTION
Potatoes like a fertile, deeply dug, moist, acidic
soil with a pH of less than 6. They do not grow well
in heavy clay or a limed soil, which promotes potato
scab. To avoid this, always rotate your potato patch
each year. Many potatoes have lost favour
commercially because of either deep eyes or an
irregular shape but these varieties may have many
advantages to the home grower in hardiness, disease
resistance and prolific production.
USES
Potatoes are a staple food, many heritage potatoes
have a superb flavour whether used as an 'old'
potato and baked or used as a 'new' potato and
steamed or mashed.
PLANTING
For early potatoes, plant shortly before the last
expected frost, planting can continue into summer.
Plant the seed potatoes 13 cm deep and then cover
with a mulch 25-30 cm deep. Choose seed potatoes
with at least 2 eyes per piece, if cutting into
smaller pieces leave plenty of flesh with each eye
and allow the cuts to dry for 24 hours before
planting. Space the tubers 30-35 cm apart.
HARVEST
Potatoes are ready for harvesting when the majority
of the tops have withered. Early potatoes may be dug
for table use at any time but for storage the
potatoes should be fully mature. After they are dug,
dry as quickly as possible, and then store
immediately in a cool, dark, dry place. Exposure to
light will turn the potatoes green; green potatoes
are poisonous and should not be eaten.
Available from Green
Harvest:
March to April 2009
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Green Harvest
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