Tips to Grow Potatoes: How to plant and how often to water

Growing potatoes is a rewarding experience for any beginner gardener. When you learn how to plant and how often to water and have the right setup, you can enjoy a plentiful harvest of these versatile vegetable plants.

Here’s everything you need to know about growing potatoes successfully in your vegetable garden.

Make sure to get the kids involved! It’s so fun and simple to plant potatoes, and the large pieces are much easier for little hands to manage than a tiny seed. My toddler especially likes to help with this garden task.

Understanding the Growing Season

Potatoes thrive in cool weather, making spring and early fall the ideal planting times. For the best results:

• Wait until the soil temperature reaches at least 45°F before planting.
• In warmer climates, plant in early spring or late summer to avoid the intense heat of midsummer.

Choosing Seed Potatoes

Start with certified seed potatoes from a local garden center or online supplier. These are disease-free and specially prepared for planting. Avoid using grocery store potatoes, as they are often treated to prevent sprouting and may not grow well.

• Good choice for beginners: Varieties like Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, or Russets. We were very happy Yukon Gold and Red Pontiac – great flavor and firmness!
• Waxy potatoes: These hold their shape well and are great for salads.
• Cut large seed potatoes into smaller pieces (2-3 inches) with at least one “eye” per piece. Let the cut sides dry for a couple of days to prevent rot.

Preparing the Soil

Potatoes grow best in loose, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Avoid compacted or clay soil, which can lead to misshapen tubers.

• Soil type: Use a mix of sandy soil and compost for a light, nutrient-rich environment.
• Test your soil’s pH and aim for slightly acidic soil (5.5-6.5 pH). Add soil amendments like sulfur or compost if needed.

Planting Potatoes

Once your soil is ready, it’s time to plant your seed potatoes. This is the fun part!

1. Dig trenches or holes: Make them 6-8 inches deep and 12 inches apart.
2. Place the seed pieces in the trench with the “eye” facing up.
3. Cover them with 3-4 inches of soil. As the plants grow, add additional soil or mulch around the base of the plant to keep tubers covered and prevent greening. You can use straw or leaves for this, too.

Providing the Right Environment

Potatoes thrive in full sun, so choose a location that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.

• Optional: Use row covers to protect young potato plants from pests like flea beetles and Colorado potato beetles during the early stages of growth.

Managing Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases can impact the life cycle of your potato plants, but prevention is key.

• Pests to watch for:
  • Colorado potato beetles – Handpick them off plants or use neem oil.
  • Flea beetles – Row covers can deter these tiny pests.
• Common diseases:
  • Potato blight (early and late): Rotate crops and avoid planting in areas where potatoes or tomatoes grew the previous season.
  • Fungal diseases and root rot: Ensure proper drainage and avoid planting in wet soil.

Let’s dig into the details of watering potatoes—pun intended! Potatoes aren’t too fussy, but getting the watering right can make a big difference in the size and quality of your harvest. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Watering Frequency

Potatoes need consistent moisture, but they don’t like soggy soil. Here’s a good rule of thumb:

• Early growth (sprouting to flowering): Water 1-2 times a week. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
• During tuber formation (flowering): This is when potatoes are growing underground, so consistent watering is crucial. Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week, including rainfall.
• Late season (when plants yellow): Ease up on watering. Cutting back as the plants start to die back helps harden the skins for storage.

2. Watering Technique

• Water at the base of the plants to avoid wetting the leaves, which can encourage diseases like blight. Drip irrigation or a soaker hose works beautifully for this.
• Morning is best for watering. This gives any moisture on the surface a chance to evaporate before night, reducing the risk of fungal issues.

3. How to Check for Moisture

Potatoes need evenly moist soil, but how can you tell if it’s right? Try this:

• Stick your finger into the soil about 2-3 inches deep near the plant. If it feels dry at that depth, it’s time to water. If it’s damp, you’re good to go.
• You can also invest in a soil moisture meter for extra accuracy—it’s a handy tool for any gardener.

4. Mulching to Retain Moisture

Add a layer of mulch (straw, shredded leaves, or grass clippings) around your potato plants. Mulch:

• Keeps the soil moist longer.
• Reduces weeds.
• Protects tubers from sunlight exposure, which can turn them green and inedible.

5. Avoid Common Mistakes

• Overwatering: Too much water can rot the tubers or encourage diseases. If your soil feels soggy for days after watering, it’s time to cut back.
• Underwatering: If the soil dries out completely, it can stress the plants and lead to small or misshapen potatoes.
• Inconsistent watering: Potatoes love routine. If you water sporadically, they may develop hollow centers or cracks.

Harvest Time

Potatoes are ready to harvest when the tops of the plants yellow and die back. For new potatoes (small tubers), you can harvest earlier, about 8-10 weeks after planting.

• Gently dig around the base of the plant to avoid damaging the tubers. Let the kids do this! It’s like hunting for buried treasure. 🙂
• Let the potatoes cure in a dark place for a couple of weeks to harden their skins before storing.

Storing Your Potatoes

For long-term storage:

• Keep potatoes in a cool, dark place with good ventilation.
• Avoid storing them in single layers under direct sunlight, as this can cause greening and that’s not what you want. Greening has been said to cause upset stomach, although I’ve never had issues with this.

Learning how to plant and water homegrown potatoes is as much about the journey as the harvest. By following these steps, even beginner gardeners can grow a good crop of delicious potatoes to enjoy for months. Have fun experimenting with different potato varieties and techniques in your garden!

Special Tips for Raised Beds or Containers

Choose the Right Container: Use pots or grow bags at least 12-15 inches deep with good drainage. For raised beds, ensure the soil depth is at least 12 inches.

Use Loose, Well-Drained Soil: Mix garden soil with compost and sand for a nutrient-rich, fluffy medium ideal for tuber development.

Select Seed Potatoes: Opt for certified seed potatoes and cut them into pieces with at least one “eye.” Let them cure for a couple of days before planting.

Planting Depth: Place seed potatoes 4-6 inches deep and cover with soil. In pots, leave room at the top to add soil as the plants grow.

Hill Up as They Grow: Add additional soil or mulch around the base of the plant to keep tubers covered and prevent greening.

Provide Full Sun: Position the pots or raised beds in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Harvest Easily: For pots, simply tip them over when the plants die back. For raised beds, use a garden fork to gently dig up the tubers.

Bonus Tips for Success

• Add organic matter like compost to the soil for healthy growth.
• Perform a soil test each year to ensure your potato patch has the nutrients it needs.

When you harvest your potatoes, get started on a delicious potato salad using my Easy and Simple Homemade Mayo recipe.

Let me know in the comments: How will you choose to grow your potatoes this year? What kind do you like best?