Grow Potatoes
- Start by preparing the soil in your square meter area. Potatoes prefer well-draining, loose soil that is high in organic matter. Consider adding compost or well-rotted manure to your soil to help improve its structure and fertility.
- Choose a variety of potato that is suitable for your climate and soil type. Some popular varieties for small space gardens include fingerling potatoes, red or yellow potatoes, and small, waxy potatoes like new potatoes.
- Plant your potatoes in the spring, as soon as the soil is dry enough to work. Potatoes should be planted about 12 inches (30 cm) apart in rows that are spaced about 18 inches (45 cm) apart. If you are planting more than one row, space the rows about 2 feet (60 cm) apart.
- Cover the potatoes with about 4 inches (10 cm) of soil. As the plants grow, add more soil around the base of the plants to cover the emerging shoots. This process is called “hilling.” Hilling helps to support the plants, protect the developing potatoes from sunlight, and improve the drainage of the soil.
“Water your potatoes regularly, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water in the morning so that the foliage has time to dry off before nightfall.”
- Fertilize your potatoes every few weeks using a balanced fertilizer. Avoid using a high-nitrogen fertilizer, as this can encourage foliage growth at the expense of potato production.
- Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and take steps to control them if necessary. Some common potato pests include Colorado potato beetles, aphids, and cutworms. Common potato diseases include late blight and scab. Grow potatoes
- Harvest your potatoes when the plants start to die back and turn yellow.
- Carefully dig up the potatoes using a garden fork, being careful not to damage them. Wash and cure the potatoes in a cool, dry place for a few weeks before storing them in a cool, dark place for the winter. For more recipes and information please surf our blog.
