As the potato plants grow and reach a height of about 6 inches, mound more soil around the plants to cover the stems, leaving only the top leaves exposed. This encourages more tuber formation along the buried stems.

7. PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT

Potatoes can’t grow properly if they are attacked by some pests. To take care of them, keep an eye out for pests like potato beetles and diseases like blight. Remove affected leaves promptly and use organic pest controls if necessary.

8. HARVESTING AND STORAGE

Harvesting

Harvesting time depends on the type of potatoes you’re growing:

• Early Potatoes: These can be harvested when the plants start flowering, usually around 60-75 days after planting.
• Main Crop Potatoes: Allow the plants to grow and flower, then wait until the foliage starts to die back and turn yellow. This indicates that the potatoes are mature. Carefully dig around the soil to unearth the potatoes. You can leave them in the ground for a few days to let the skins toughen up before harvesting.

Storage

After harvesting, allow the potatoes to dry for a few hours, then store them in a cool, dark, and dry place to prevent sprouting.

We hope that this guide has helped you grow potatoes successfully and enjoy them in countless ways. If you find this project interesting or challenging, please share it with us by leaving a comment below.