tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22847240244164980542011-11-27T15:51:22.921-08:00PlainJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781806990401068115noreply@blogger.comBlogger11100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2284724024416498054.post-83887024025566236332010-03-30T08:18:00.000-07:002010-03-30T09:17:28.698-07:00<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" style="font-family:arial;">Article from Growingpotatos.org</h6><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:130%;" >Potatoes can be grown successfully in gardens without requiring any more care and attention than other vegetables.</span><br /></div><h6 class="uiStreamMessage" style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Nevertheless, potatoes have specific soil requirements and always need thorough insect and disease control.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> The practical information below can be used to help you obtain high yields of quality potatoes.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);">Best soil for growing potatoes</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">In fact potatoes will grow in almost any soil but prefer a sandy loam.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Potatoes yield the highest and produce tubers of the best quality on soils that are loose, easily tilled, well drained, and high in organic matter.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Very dry sands, shale, or heavy clay loams should not be used for growing potatoes.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">If a cover crop such as rye, ryegrass, or wheat was planted the previous fall, it should be turned under before it exceeds 12 inches in height.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> This can be done by tilling 8 to 10 inches deep, depending on the depth of the topsoil.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Potatoes require a porous soil to ensure an adequate oxygen supply for good tuber initiation and development. After tilling, level the surface slightly so that furrows can be made.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Waiting 7 to 10 days before planting the seed pieces is recommended to allow the cover crop to begin decomposing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">Never add lime before planting potatoes, as this can encourage scab.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Because scab disease (brown, corky tissue on the surface of tubers) may be a problem in alkaline or sweet soils, the soil pH should be kept around 5.5–6.0.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Potatoes should form part of a crop rotation plan and should not be planted in the same ground for four years.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">When planting potatoes be sure that the soil is evenly moist and not wet or soggy, in a wet soil your seed potatoes will probably rot.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0); font-weight: bold;">TIPS FOR GARDENERS</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"> * Whenever possible use natural and organic fertilizers such as compost. Chemicals build up toxicity in soil, which leaches into drinking water.</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></span></span></h6><h6 face="arial" class="uiStreamMessage"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">* Fertilize before a rain whenever possible.</span></span></h6><div class="blogger-post-footer"><img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/2284724024416498054-8388702402556623633?l=homegardenproducts.blogspot.com' alt='' /></div>PlainJanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07781806990401068115noreply@blogger.com0