Growing Potatoes

19/11/2024 26 min
Growing Potatoes

Listen "Growing Potatoes"

Episode Synopsis

Today we hear Keith’s top tips on growing potatoes! Keith assures us that potatoes are the easiest of all vegetables to grow!Potatoes can be grown at any time but they are frost tender so should be planted after the last frost (in Southern States or frost prone areas)Use certified ‘seed potatoes’ - this will ensure they are free from disease. Most non-organic potatoes found in supermarkets etc are sprayed with glyphosate 360 so should be avoidedThere are a number of different methods for growing potatoes:Grown in your garden - Keith warns, you will have these together as they nearly impossible to get rid ofUse a designated garden bed - you will harvest approx 8-10 potatoes per plantGrow in a potato bag using a good quality potting mix- Several on the market including Bunnings Potato BagWire frame can be used by layering compost and strawPotatoes need consistent water but avoid being too wet to ensure potatoes don’t rotTo ensure a good yield, add plenty of compost and other organic matterKeith recommends planting whole seed potato (not cut) covered with 200mm soil/compost as plants shoots cover with additional soil/compost or straw (indeterminate potatoes only)Indeterminate potatoes include - Brownell, Dutch Cream, Nicola, Up To Date, King Edward, Salad Rose, Pink Fir Apple, Potato SapphireDeterminate potatoes include - Spunta, Kennebec, Purple Congo, Pink Eye, Carlingford, Red Pontiaconce potato plant’s flowers have died off, feel through to the stem where you will find ‘new potatoes’  (indeterminate varieties only). Once the plant has completely died off, leave for approx 2 weeks before harvesting.Store in cool dry place in hessian bag or wire basket away from sunlight.Pests include earwigsGood luck with your home grown taties!Where you can find all things Muddy Boots!Website: https://www.muddyboots.net.au/Instagram: www.instagram.com/muddybootspodcast/ Facebook: Muddy Boots Podcast | Facebook