potatoes

a sprouting Kerrs Pink potato

What Temperature Do Potatoes Sprout At?

Temperature plays a critical role in the life cycle of a potato, especially during the sprouting stage. Understanding the temperature ranges at which potatoes sprout can significantly impact your growing success. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various stages of potato sprouting and how temperature influences each stage. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be …

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Comparing Sustainable Agriculture With Regenerative Agriculture

Hi there, fellow farming aficionados. If you’re still scratching your head about sustainable and regenerative agriculture, this guide’s for you. They’re both eco-friendly options, but they function in distinct ways. Let’s get into the nitty-gritty details. Sustainable Agriculture What It Is Sustainability is about maintaining equilibrium. You’re keeping the existing soil, water quality, and ecosystems …

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radishes freshly dug from the garden

How Long Is the Growing Season? A Global Perspective with Monthly Insights

The growing season is a cornerstone concept in agriculture, essentially dictating what can be planted and when. It varies dramatically across the globe due to factors like climate and latitude. Let’s explore this concept, incorporating the months during which these growing seasons typically occur. What Is a Growing Season? Simply put, the growing season is …

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a 3 leg subsoiler

Delving Deep: An Essential Guide To Subsoiling

When it comes to successful farming, the ground beneath our feet holds more power than one might think. Tilling the topsoil is common practice, but what lies beneath could be affecting your crops in ways you haven’t considered. That’s where subsoiling comes into play, a method of deep tillage that revolutionises soil structure, optimises nutrient …

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seed drill

The Seed Drill: An Indispensable Tool for Modern Agriculture

The seed drill stands as one of the most pivotal advancements in the realm of agricultural technology. For individuals new to farming, understanding the significance, history, and operation of seed drills can provide a substantial advantage. This article aims to serve as an introductory guide for those interested in both U.K. and U.S. agricultural practices. …

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Charlotte salad potatoes

Which Potato Varieties Are The Best For Salads?

The humble potato: a staple in cuisines around the world and a versatile foundation in our diets. With over 4,000 edible varieties, potatoes are not a one-size-fits-all ingredient, especially when it comes to making the perfect salad. The choice of potato can make a significant difference in taste, texture, and overall satisfaction. In this article, …

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frost on a tree in a field

Can Potatoes Be Planted Outside In Europe After July? beating the frost dates

Potatoes, a dietary staple in many parts of the world, have a rich history in European agriculture, with the continent serving as the primary site for the crop’s expansion following its introduction from the Americas. Cultivating potatoes in Europe is feasible, but farmers must take into account the specific climatic conditions of their regions, particularly …

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digging potatoes with a garden fork

Digging Potatoes with a Garden Fork: A Step-by-Step Guide

Digging potatoes is a rewarding task for any gardener. The thrill of unearthing those hidden treasures beneath the soil is a delight to both experienced and novice potato growers alike. One effective and traditional method of harvesting potatoes is using a garden fork. This article will guide you through the process of digging potatoes with …

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sprouting potato

Etheylene Gas and Sprouting Potatoes

Ethylene is a natural plant hormone that plays a significant role in the ripening and senescence (ageing) of fruits and vegetables. While it has positive effects on the ripening of some fruits, it can have adverse consequences when it comes to storing certain produce, including potatoes. Ethylene and Sprouting Ethylene acts as a signaling molecule …

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a grimme 3 bedtiller with ridging bodies

How Does A Bedtiller Work?

In the world of vegetable growing, bedtillers play a crucial role in shaping the soil into raised beds, providing an optimal environment for crop growth. These specialized machines, which function as a combination of a rotavator and drill plough combined, are designed to match the wheel track settings of a tractor, ensuring precision and efficiency …

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a potato inspector inspecting seed potatoes in a field

Understanding Seed Potatoes: classification, certification and quality

Embarking on the journey of growing your own vegetables can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. If you’re planning to grow potatoes, understanding seed potatoes certification is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the world of seed potatoes, exploring their qualifications, the seed grading system used in the United Kingdom, and why …

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heritage variety potatoes arran victory and british queens in a bag after harvest

What Are Heirloom Potatoes: are heritage varieties similar?

Heirloom potatoes, are traditional potato varieties that have been preserved and passed down through generations. They offer unique flavors, appearances, and a connection to the culinary heritage of different countries. Unlike modern commercial potato varieties, heirloom potatoes maintain their historical significance and provide a glimpse into the traditional cultivation practices of the past. In this …

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smal seed potatoes freshly dug from the soil ready to use for seed

How to Keep Seed Potatoes for Planting Next Year: tips for keeping home-grown seed

If you are an avid grower, you’ll know the importance of saving seed for the next planting season. One of the most popular vegetables to grow are potatoes. Potatoes are relatively easy to grow and can be stored for a long time in the correct conditions. However, to grow potatoes each year as efficiently as …

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verticillium wilt on a potato plant

Managing Verticillium Wilt in Potatoes: effective strategies and prevention techniques

Verticillium wilt is a soil-borne disease that affects a wide range of crops, including potatoes. The disease is caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae, which invades the plant’s water-conducting system, leading to wilting, stunting, and reduced yield. The fungus can survive in the soil for up to 10 years, making it difficult to manage. Fortunately, …

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organic potatoes growing in a field

How to Cope with Pests and Diseases in Organic Potatoes: Tips and Strategies

Organic potato farming is a sustainable and eco-friendly way to grow potatoes. However, it can be challenging to cope with pests and diseases without the use of synthetic chemicals. Organic potato farmers need to be proactive in preventing and managing pests and diseases to ensure a successful harvest. One of the most important steps in …

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a field with freshly planted potato drills

When Should I Plant Potatoes: a helpful guide from planting to harvest

Are you thinking about growing potatoes in your garden but not sure when to plant them? The timing of planting potatoes can have a significant impact on the yield and quality of your crop. Knowing when to plant potatoes is essential to ensure a successful harvest. The best time to plant potatoes depends on several …

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potato plants starting to grow

How Much Magnesium Do Potato Plants Need To Grow Optimally?

Magnesium is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development, and potatoes require a sufficient amount of magnesium to grow optimally. The amount of magnesium required by a potato plant can vary depending on factors such as soil type, growing conditions, and potato variety. How much magnesium do potatoes need? The amount of magnesium you …

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a potato pit

Storing Potatoes Outside: how to make an amazing potato pit

The thought of storing potatoes outside long term seems strange, but this is precisely how most people kept them for centuries in their fields and gardens. The mound they created was known as a “Potato Pit”. The funny thing about potato pits is that they are excellent at storing potatoes for a long time if …

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potatoes growing in compost

Can I Grow Potatoes In Straight Compost: + how to increase its P and K

You may have read about growing potatoes in compost and wondered if it was really a good idea. Technically, potatoes can be grown in compost alone, but it isn’t always the best choice. Amending your soil with compost or making a potting mix with compost and soilless mix for containers may be a better choice. …

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crop rotation in different sections in vegetable garden

Can I Grow Potatoes In The Same Plot Every Year? the importance of crop rotation

Growing potatoes in the home garden is a great way to provide your family with healthy and nutritious potatoes all year, but it does come with its challenges. Potatoes should not be planted in the same spot yearly and must be rotated with other crops. Find out how to rotate your potatoes and what to …

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a large leaf of a potato plant

Can I Eat Potato Leaves: are they extremely poisonous?

Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum) are an annual vegetable in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. While the tubers are a healthy and nutritious addition to the diet, not all parts of the potato plant are edible. Like other plants in the nightshade family, some parts of the potato plant are poisonous. What are nightshade vegetables? Nightshades are …

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a potato being planted into soil with the buds facing upwards

Do You Plant Potatoes With The Eyes Up Or Down? big difference?

How many times have you forgotten about that bag of potatoes in your pantry only to find them covered in strange, bumpy growth? These growths are buds or sprouts which grow from the potato eyes, and they look rather unappetizing. Some people toss the entire potato thinking it’s no good, while others cut the small buds off before …

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potato plants falling over in a field

10 Reasons Why Your Potato Plants Have Fallen Over

Growing potatoes in your backyard or garden isn’t difficult. With proper care, you can expect to harvest two to five pounds of potatoes from each plant, depending on the variety and growing conditions. Sometimes, problems arise, like the tops of the potato plants falling over. This can happen for several reasons. Let’s look at the …

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a kerrs pink potato showing the eyes with small buds

What Are Potato Eyes: locating big sprouts

Potatoes are a popular vegetable in the home garden as many people routinely eat potatoes with meat and poultry dishes. According to Statista, the average American consumed 29.3 pounds of fresh potatoes in 2021. While many were purchased, many were also grown in the home garden. Growing potatoes involves planting either whole or cut sections …

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how far apart to plant potatoes

How Far Apart To Plant Potatoes: big yields ahoy

Growing potatoes at home will provide you with the basis for many meals, from fluffy mashed potatoes to delicious home fries. These easy-to-grow vegetables do require plenty of room to grow. But when you know how far apart to plant potatoes, they will produce an abundance of large, fresh produce for all your family. Is …

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russet norkotah potatoes

Potato Variety Russet Norkotah: origin and characteristics

The potato variety Russet Norkotah is the second most popular potato in the US. They are russeted, brown-skinned early to medium maincrop potatoes. They are very attractive potatoes with excellent processing abilities. They can be boiled and mashed but their main market is for baked potatoes or processing for French fries. Origin The Russet Norkotah …

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