02/15/2025
Reminder to self to plant them. 😁
The old saying about planting potatoes is “in by Valentine’s Day, and out by Mother’s Day”, meaning plant by Valentine’s Day so you can harvest by Mother’s Day. But that is not a hard rule…potatoes are fairly forgiving and pretty easy to grow!
There is nothing more magical than putting a tiny piece of potato in the ground and 90 days later, pulling up a whole handful! Potatoes are cool-weather plants. They can tolerate light frosts but not hard freezes and are mostly planted as a spring crop in Texas (but you can plant a fall crop too). They should be planted about four weeks before the last expected frost (February). For many, Valentine's Day is potato planting day (don’t panic if you don’t get them planted by then though…it’s not a hard rule). Potatoes are planted from small potatoes or pieces of larger potatoes known as "seed potatoes." Certified seed potatoes are sold at most feed stores, nurseries and garden centers. They should be spaced 8 to 12 inches apart. ALWAYS used certified seed potatoes…this means they are CERTIFIED to not have diseases and viruses which grocery store bought potatoes often harbor. I know a bunch of you are going to say you always plant potatoes from the grocery and have never had a problem…until the one time you do! And then your soil is infected for ALL nightshades…that means tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and more.
Potatoes require at least eight hours of direct sun each day for maximum yields. Like most root crops, they do best in well-drained sandy and loamy soils and are best planted in raised beds or rows at least 6 to 12 inches high. Around 3-4 weeks after planting or when the plants are 6 inches tall, apply about 3 to 4 inches of soil to the base of the plants. This creates a comfy area for the potatoes to form in. Ideally, apply a layer of mulch (hay, straw, grass) at the base to keep weeds at bay and also keep the soil cool and moist.
Potatoes are usually ready to harvest 90 to 120 days after planting, depending on the variety you plant. When the tops turn yellow and start to die, the potatoes are ready to harvest. You can start sneaking some tender "new potatoes" as soon as the plants start blooming by gently probing beneath the plant with your fingers. However, be careful not to disturb the root system, and always remember your production will be greater if you leave them alone until they are mature. If you are going to consume the final crop quickly, dig them with a spading fork and wash them before storing in a cool, humid, dark place. If you want to store them for a longer period, cut the tops off the dying plants and leave the potatoes in the ground for three to four davs. This will toughen the skins and make the potatoes last longer.
A few potato varieties recommended for Texas include 'Kennebec' (white), 'Pontiac' (red),* ‘Red Lasoda' (red), and 'Norland' (red).
