Spring Irish Potatoes

Plant seed potatoes late January through February.

Potatoes grow best on a well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They respond well to a generous application of fertilizer, especially on soils that aren't very fertile.

Spring Irish potatoes can and should be planted anytime from the last week in January to the end of February. The varieties recommended for Georgia gardens are Red LaSoda, La Rouge, and a white skinned variety named LaChipper.

Potatoes grow best on a well drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They respond well to a generous application of fertilizer, especially on soils that aren't very fertile.

A good, general fertilization is about five to six pounds of a complete fertilizer on each 100 feet of row. A complete fertilizer is one like 8-8-8 or 8-24-24. After the plants get to be six to ten inches tall you can apply what is called a "side dressing" of nitrogen. You will want to use about one pound of ammonium nitrate on each 100 feet of row.

High beds offer best growth potential.

When you're preparing your garden for potatoes you should build a high bed so the water will drain well and so you will have some loose soil for the potatoes to go in. Build your rows about three feet apart.

As you get ready to plant, cut your seed potatoes into pieces about the size of an egg and be sure each piece has at least one eye. The eye is where the plant gets its start.

If the temperature of your soil is below 65 degrees, hold the cut potatoes at room temperature for three or four days. This will encourage wound tissue to form over the cuts and this will help protect them from diseases after they are planted.

Planting seed potatoes…

When you plant the seed, space them about 12 to 15 inches apart in the row. At this rate you will be able to plant a hundred foot row with between seven and nine pounds of potatoes. Plant the seed pieces four or five inches deep.

You should begin to see plants break through the soil in three or four weeks. In about 90 to 110 days from the time you planted the seed you should be able to dig your potatoes. As the potatoes grow, avoid deep cultivation around them because you could easily damage your potatoes.

As the plants approach maturity, their leaves will turn yellow and die. Another sign of maturity is what's called the "setting of the skin..." that is, the skin of the potatoes doesn't slip when you rub it with your thumb.

For more information on Spring Irish potatoes contact your local County Extension Office.