Prepare for potato planting: Gardening tips

If you love potatoes and have a garden, then you should definitely try growing them on your own - it's relatively easy and quite beneficial.

So, it's time to prepare your garden for potato planting - what should you do?

Let's find out how to plant perfect potatoes step by step.

Prepare the Soil

Find a sunny spot in your garden with well-draining soil. 

Potatoes like loose soil, so you may need to dig the soil to loosen it up. Remove rocks and weeds.

Planting Potatoes

Cut your seed potatoes into smaller pieces, each with at least one or two "eyes" (those are the little sprouts). 

Let these pieces sit for a day or two to heal and form a protective layer.

Dig Holes or Trenches

Using a shovel or hoe, dig holes or trenches in your prepared soil. These should be about 3-4 inches deep and spaced about 12 inches apart.

Plant the Potato Pieces

Place each potato piece with the sprouts facing upward into the holes or trenches. Space them evenly.

Cover with Soil

Gently cover the potato pieces with soil, but don't press down too hard. Leave a small hill or mound of soil over each row of potatoes.

Water

Give your newly planted potatoes a good watering. The soil should be moist but not soaking wet.

Mulch

Some people like to add a layer of mulch (straw or leaves) on top of the soil. This helps keep the soil moist and prevents weeds.

Care and Maintenance

As your potato plants grow, keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. 

You may also need to protect the plants from pests like insects or rabbits.

Conclusion

Good soil and proper care can help you get an amazing potato harvest - so go for it!
 

• Related news:
• potatoes
• planting
• gardening
• tips
• 13 September 2023

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