Growing Guide
Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum)
A staple crop that demands high volume inputs. Success lies in soil preparation and timely harvesting.
The Chitting Debate
Commercial trials suggest chitting (sprouting before planting) offers a slight early yield advantage for first earlies, but is statistically insignificant for maincrop varieties.
Common Mistakes
- Planting in alkaline soil, which virtually guarantees common scab (Streptomyces scabies).
- Failing to earth up, resulting in green, toxic tubers exposed to light.
Data Points
| Metric | Target |
|---|---|
| Optimal Soil pH | 5.0 - 6.0 (prevents scab) |
| Planting Depth | 10cm - 15cm |
| Expected Yield | ~1kg per seed potato |
FAQ
What is the difference between earlies and maincrop?
Days to maturity. Earlies are harvested at 10-12 weeks; maincrop take 15-20 weeks and store better.
Internal Links
- Lowering Soil pH
- Adding organic matter
- Blight family relation (Tomatoes)
- Crop rotation theory
- Advanced soil mgmt
- Sulphur application
- Fertilizer reqs
- Spacing calculator
- Mulching trenches
- Irrigation volume
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