Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) have been easy to grow in the Midwest. My favorite is Yukon Gold which I have a lot planted this year (2007). Others we have grown successfully in the past are Red Pontiac and the white Kennebec.
Potato Location
Do not grow potatoes in the same location until 3 years have passed. Disease and bugs persist and need this long to die off.
Temperature
Potatoes are a cool season vegetable. They grow best in soil that is between 60 and 70 degrees. They will not form when the soil is 80 degrees or higher.
Varieties
There are literally over a hundred varieties of potatoes in a multitude of colors. As mentioned before we have had very good luck with Yukon Gold, Kennebec, and Red Pontiac. Another variety I have seen at the stores is Viking which is a red skinned potato. Do not use potatoes from grocery stores; besides not being a seed potato, generally they have been sprayed with a chemical that prevents them from sprouting. Potatoes mature from 100 to 120 days after planting.
Planting
Potatoes are among the first crops planted in the Spring. I usually plant them around Good Friday or when the soil is workable. Planting too early may result in rot if the ground stays wet. Cut the seed potatoes in quarters and make sure there is at least one eye in the quarter. Once cut let them sit for a day or two so a crust develops over the cut part. This reduces the chance of rotting.
Plant potatoes with the cut side down. Full sun is the best for potatoes.
Spacing
I have always used seed potatoes rather than ones left over from the year before (though many farmers practice this). The seed potato is cut up in pieces where each piece has at least one “eye”. Each piece is planted about a 9 inches apart in a trench about 3 inches deep. I use a hand plow to dig the trench. Each row is 2 feet apart. Placing straw about 4 inches thick or mulch in between the rows help keep moisture in and lower the ground temperature by 10 degrees.
Watering
Yukon Gold have low drought tolerance so keep an eye on them. The soil should be well-drained and fertile. Compacted soil or clay soil will produce misshapen tubers. Keep the potatoes evenly watered so they do not get knobs (secondary growth). Water early in the day and try not to water the foliage.
Fertilizer
The soil should be well-drained and fertile. After the plant has grown several inches mound soil around the plant so the potatoes do not turn green from sunlight. After the plant is about a foot high I side-dress the potatoes with 10-10-10 fertilizer about 6 inches from the plant lightly scratched into the ground.
Harvesting
Normally potatoes are harvested after the vines die but if you want new potatoes (small, 1 to 2 inches in diameter) harvest them in mid July. Since potatoes are about 8 inches underground I use a potato fork. Normal yield is about 8 potatoes per vine.
Late potatoes are harvested around August or early September.
Storage
Most potatoes can be stored in a cool (40 to 50 degrees), dark place (not the refrigerator since the starches will be converted to sugars and give the potato an oddly sweet taste.) for several weeks. Yukon Gold do not store as well as others. If parts of the potato turn green just remove the green part and eat away. Potatoes do not freeze or can well.
Recipes
Here are some excellent ways of serving potatoes. They go over big every time.
Garlic Red Potatoes
Herb-Roasted Potatoes
doug
