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Michelle In The Meadow

Zone 9A Suburban Garden

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Learning When Potatoes are Ready To Harvest – My First Potato Crop

June 12, 2022 by Michelle Leave a Comment

When are potatoes ready to harvest? When I started I didn't know how to grow potatoes, I have learned quite a bit since adding the seed potatoes to the garden a few months back. In this video I share my initial concerns about the condition of the tops of the potatoes and the potato harvest that ensued.

I've sped up parts of the video, but this time I chose to use nature's soundtrack instead of some stock music. If you have any tips for me, I'd love for you to share them in the comments below.

How Do You Know When Potatoes Are Ready To Harvest?
Each variety can be a bit different, so it's hard to say exactly when potatoes are ready to harvest, as it can depend on a number of factors – the type of potato, the weather, and so on. However, as a general rule of thumb, potatoes are ready to harvest when the tops of the plants begin dying back. This usually happens around 4-6 weeks after flowering. To check if your potatoes are ready, simply dig up a plant and see if there are any tubers lurking underneath. If so, then it's time to harvest!

How to Harvest Potatoes?
When harvesting potatoes, be careful not to damage the plants. Gently loosen the soil with a shovel or hoe and then carefully lift the potatoes out of the ground. Try to avoid bruising or cutting them as this can promote rot. Store harvested potatoes in a cool, dark place until you're ready to use them. For me I used a 3-pronged hand tool and my hands.

How to Store Potatoes?
This is one I'm still working on learning more about for my Florida suburban garden, as we don't have a basement or root cellar here. I rinsed off my potatoes but found out later for longer term storage that's a no-no so I edited that out of the video. For now I have brought my cleaned potatoes inside and have them drying on a towel. Once dried I plan to wrap them in packing paper to keep them from touching one another and will keep them in a closet in the dark. Fingers crossed that this is the right option.

About Michelle in the Meadow
I am a suburban gardener located in zone 9A in Northeast Florida. I started growing in this suburban lot in 2019 and have expanded the garden every year. In 2020 I started making Facebook Videos about the garden, and in 2022 created this YouTube channel. I enjoy making content about my garden, what I’m learning, and from time to time the general vlog, too.

Tools I Use In The Garden
The Amazon links I share below are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click or make a purchase. Please know my opinions are my own and not influenced by any commission.

My current favorite brand of grow bags – because the handles are made of webbing material and hold up to the Florida sun and heat.
https://amzn.to/3tmBP39

My Gorilla Cart has been working hard for me since 2019, and I still love it. I made one modification and added solid rubber tires from Harbor Freight.
https://amzn.to/3h7kR5A
https://www.harborfreight.com/10-inch-x-2-1-2-half-inch-solid-rubber-tire-35459.html

Michelle in the Meadow YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUGYMmjynlYUxC_-Mz5Kng
Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/michelleinthemeadow
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/michelleinthemeadow/
Vego vs Birdies Video Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlFCKM1rTPP4ITKEgIAyP_CMThasAxYS9

#potato #gardening #harvestingvegetables

Filed Under: Gardening

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