Potato Growing Guide - Infinity Lawn & Garden

Appearance Description: Potatoes grow in "tubular" shapes.. They have a thin outer layer that is often pink or tan in color. The inside is a firm cream.

How to Plant:

1. Work the soil until it has a smooth and broken up consistency.

2. Amend native soil with compost, manure, or any other material.

3. Place seeds about 1-inch into the soil and then build a dirt mound.

4. Water generously after planting.

How to Maintain:

1. Potatoes need watering on a regular basis. The soil should be consistently moist.

2. A method known as "hilling" should be done before the potato plants bloom. To do so, cover the roots with a mound of soil.

3. HIlling should be done every couple weeks.

How to Harvest:

1. It is best to harvest on a dry day.

2. To remove, gently dig up the potatoes.

3. Potatoes are usually ready for harvest in early July.

Storage Tips:

Brush off any soil on the potatoes and store them in a dark, cool, and dry place. Do not wash potatoes until right after you use them in order to maximize storage life.

Top Varieties:

1. Irish Cobbler

2. Viking

3. Chieftan

4. Elba

5. Rosa

6. Sebago

Fun Facts:

1. The potato is the fourth largest food crop in the United States.

2. Potatoes are frequently used to make french fries.

3. During the Alaskan Klondike Gold Rush in 1897, potatoes were practically worth their weight in gold.

4. Potatoes and apples actually taste the same, it is their texture and scent that sets them apart.