Gardeners have a go at it the potato industrial plant ( Solanum tuberosum ) for its underground stem genus Tuber , with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences declaring it as America ’s favorite vegetable . Because the portion of the plant that ’s reap is completely underground , put up the potato vine with optimum soil condition can help better the size , tone and volume of the Solanum tuberosum crop .

Soil Texture

Soil grain can be part into three major eccentric of soil : sandy , loam and clay . The near texture for potatoes is well - drain , fat loam , according to UFIFAS . better clay or sandy footing with organic issue , like aged compost , until the soil is crumbly and open in grain .

Soil Temperature

Potatoes are a cool - season veg crop and are typically planted during the spring . The plants feel optimal growth when the dirt temperature range between 60 and 70 stage F , harmonise to the University of Illinois Extension . When grime temperature surpass 80 arcdegree , the potato tubers turn back growing .

Soil pH

Potatoes grow best in stain that has a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 , consort to Ohio State University Extension . If the pH ranges below or above this , potato disease , like scab disease , may afflict the surreptitious tubers . Some garden stores and nurseries sell grease - examination kit . grime with too high of a pH scale can be lowered by adding amendments like sulfur , ammonium ion nitrate and urea , while low pH degree can be increased with lime tree . The specific amount needed varies fit in to the current pH levels . adjoin your regional cooperative wing service for counseling on amendments and software rates usually used in your gardening arena .

Space

When plant the seminal fluid potatoes , each seed potato must be yield enough soil space to allow for optimal plant growing and genus Tuber output . The University of Illinois Extension urge spacing seed potatoes 1 invertebrate foot aside . If you ’re growing more than one row of white potato vine , space each row 3 feet asunder .

Fertilization

Fertile soil gives the potato plant the zip it needs for vigorous emergence of botany and encourage plump Irish potato tubers . utilise a standard 10 - 20 - 20 or 8 - 16 - 16 ( nitrogen - Lucifer - potassium ) all - purpose garden fertilizer . Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 2 1/2 lbs . for every 100 square feet of horticulture blank , harmonise to Ohio State University Extension . The university intimate spread the first program of fertilizer before the potatoes are planted and again when the white potato vine are just about 4 in marvellous .

References

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