Potatoes
Potatoes take up little space, produce much, and can be used in many
different meals. They can be grown and stored all winter long, or
harvested as needed, which makes them a staple crop in most home gardens.
-Planting: Potatoes should be planted as early in the year as the soil can
be worked, prefer slightly acidic soil, and should not be planted if the
ground is wet. Certified seed potatoes should be bought from your garden
supply house to start your crop. The seed potatoes should be cut in
squares about 1 ½ inches across, leaving at least one eye, or growing
point per piece. They should then be placed cut side down in 4 inch deep
trenches, spaced about a foot apart in the row.
-Growing: Water the crop well, and keep it free from weeds. If any
potatoes show above ground, they should be covered with soil, because if
they are exposed to sunlight, they will turn green and become inedible.
-Harvesting: Young potatoes should be carefully harvested throughout the
summer, taking care not to disturb the mother plant. The rest of the crop
should be harvested after the vines have turned brown and withered
completely.
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