Irish potatoes have their
yield influenced by season, variety, soil type, moisture availability,
and amount of nutrients available to the plant. Highest yields are
obtained in years with cool temperatures and adequate moisture throughout
the season.
Potatoes require a large amount of fertilizer
for good growht and production. Apply an additional 1/2 to 1 pound
of complete fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) for each 100 feet of garden row
before planting potatoes.
Plant potatoes 3 to 4 weeks before the last killing
frost. Use only certified seed stock. Seed potatoes should
be firm and unsprouted. Cut the seed potatoes into pieces weighing
about 2 ounces. Each seed piece must have at least one good bud or
eye. Plant the pieces about 3 inches deep, 10 to 12 inches apart,
in rows about 36 inches apart.
After the plants emerge and begin to grow, mound
the plants. This simply means pulling soil around the plants several
times during their early growth until the seed pieces are about 6 inches
deep.
Potatoes are ready to harvest when they are mature
and the skin is set. Depending upon the season, this is usually 90 to 120
days after planting.
Avoid bruising potatoes when digging. Store
potatoes for a week at 65 to 70 ºF in the dark to help heal bruises.
Then store at 35 to 40 ºF at high humidity.
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