Solanum tuberosum or potato as we know it originated in the highlands of South America and now it is grown in most parts of the world because of its versatility in various cuisines. For a healthy potato crop the following needs to be kept in mind.

o Before planting, a good dose of farmyard or organic manure should be administered to the soil.

o Potatoes prefer soil that is loose and well drained and slightly acidic (pH 5-6).

o Make sure that the beds are at least 10-12" above the level of the soil, so that they avoid any standing water.

o Since it is a heavy feeder during the process of growth, application of a nitrogen fertilizer should be done twice with a time lag of at least three to four weeks.

o Weeding has to be done regularly.

o The soil should be kept loose by forking regularly and at the same time there should be plenty of soil covering the tuber. Since the seed was planted just 4" below the soil surface, new potatoes tend to push above the soil surface and can get exposed to the sun. The exposed tubers tend to turn green due to the formation of a toxic compound - a glycoalkaloid called solanine. This can be avoided by "hilling", where soil is added gently on top of the new sprouts.

o When the crop is ready to be taken out, avoid irrigation as the tuber can get damaged. Once the leaves start drying, it means that the crop is ready to be taken out.

Also See our Vegetable Guide

If you like Growing Vegetables....These pages might also interest you:

Good Looking Vegetable Gardens, Growing Garlic, History of the Tomato, How to Grow a Great Pepper, When are Vegetables Ripe?, Growing Oversized Vegetables, Growing Peas in the Garden, Growing Tomatoes, Tips for Growing Potatoes