Potato storage rule: Await a specific indication, then subtract 14 days before harvesting. This practice ensures the potatoes will survive the winter.
Harvesting Potatoes for Maximum Yield and Quality
Growing potatoes can be a rewarding experience, and understanding the optimal time to harvest them can significantly increase your yield. According to agricultural research, potatoes harvested at the right time can yield up to a third more than those harvested prematurely.
The key to determining the perfect harvest time is observing the plant's external characteristics. When the potato plants’ leaves turn yellow and start to die, it signals that the tubers beneath the soil have reached full size and maturity. The stems drying out and browning is another key indicator that the tubers are ready for harvesting.
For early or new potatoes, you can harvest smaller tubers about 2-3 weeks after the plants flower. However, for full-sized potatoes, it's best to wait until the foliage fully dies back. Seasoned gardeners advise waiting two weeks after the potato leaves start to turn yellow for harvesting.
When it comes to the harvesting process, careful digging is essential. Carefully dig around the plant with a fork or spade to avoid damaging tubers. It's also best to harvest in the morning when the soil is cool and moist for best tuber quality. Avoid washing potatoes directly after harvest; instead, let them dry for a few hours and brush off soil before storing to toughen the skins.
Harvesting at the right time prevents over-mature potatoes from rotting or being damaged by pests and diseases, ensuring maximum yield and quality. Rushing the digging of potatoes before the optimal time can result in smaller yields and less mature tubers. During the optimal harvesting time, the weight of the tubers increases significantly.
If the optimal time falls on a weekday, you can consider harvesting potatoes on the nearest weekend. The two-week period after the potato leaves start to turn yellow is crucial for the tubers to grow actively and reach maximum size and maturity. The main indicator of tuber maturity is the condition of the aboveground part of the plant.
The thicker the tuber's skin, the better it will store, suffer less damage, and sprout less. So, take your time, observe your potatoes carefully, and reap the benefits of a bountiful harvest.
- To ensure maximum yield and quality of your potatoes, it's crucial to harvest them after the potato plants’ leaves turn yellow and start to die, as this indicates that the tubers beneath the soil have reached full size and maturity.
- For home-and-garden enthusiasts aiming to improve their lifestyle through gardening, closely observing the growth patterns of their potato plants and harvesting at the right time can lead to a bountiful and high-quality yield.
