Best Techniques for Timely Potato Harvesting: Expert Advice on Choosing Mature, Delicious Potatoes
In the heart of America, potatoes are a beloved vegetable, with each person consuming an average of 125 pounds (11 kg) each year. But have you ever considered growing your own?
Growing potatoes is a rewarding experience, and they can be cultivated in various ways. For instance, seed potatoes can be planted in containers or directly in the garden. These tubers are the starting point for your potato plants, which thrive in cool weather, making them well-suited for northern climates but also suitable for winter crops in warmer regions.
As your potato plants grow, they will eventually begin to yellow and wilt, signalling that they are almost ready to be harvested. The harvest times vary depending on the variety, with early season potatoes maturing in 60-80 days, mid-season potatoes maturing in 80-100 days, and later season potatoes maturing in 100-130 days.
When it comes to harvesting, be gentle. Use a garden fork or spade and lift the soil gently around the outside edge of the plant until the potatoes are exposed, taking care not to damage them. If you're growing potatoes in a bag, wait until the foliage has yellowed and is dying back before harvesting, and then dump the bag onto a tarp, dig through the soil with your hands, and extract the potatoes.
Once harvested, it's time to cure your potatoes. Curing promotes skin thickening and healing of minor cuts and bruises. To do this, store your potatoes in a dark area with a temperature of 38-40 F (3-4 C) and a relative humidity of 90-95%. Never wash potatoes before storing them to prevent mold and mildew. Instead, store them open in a box or container or in perforated bags.
The storage life of potatoes varies. Early season potatoes can only be stored for about 3 weeks, while mid-season potatoes can be stored for up to a month and later season potatoes for 2-3 months. However, it's important to avoid storing potatoes with apples or other fruit that produce ethylene gas, as this can cause your potatoes to spoil.
It's also crucial to check your potatoes regularly for green spots. Green potatoes contain a toxic compound and should be discarded if mostly green. Small green areas can be safely removed with a knife.
Written by Jackie Rhoades, who began writing for our platform in 2010, this guide aims to provide you with the knowledge to grow, store, and harvest potatoes successfully. Jackie was first active as an author on our platform in 2017. Amy Draiss and Amy Grant are part of the digital community management and writing teams, respectively, and have contributed to this informative article.
So, why not give potato farming a try? With this guide, you're well on your way to a bountiful harvest of homegrown potatoes. Happy gardening!
