Soil Temp and How Deep?

[whoose]

Soil Temp and How Deep? I live at 6000 ft in Montana and varities you like?

[whoose]

I waited for some guidance but non was forth coming. So I planted 60f soil and 2-3 inches deep did I do it correct?

[garyjr]

Whoose, 60 is good.. I usually do 4", but you will be fine just might need to hill a bit sooner.. Mine are going like gangbusters this year. They are liking all the recent rain. Good luck.

[oakley]

Wow, you posted three weeks ago. I did not see it. (if you don't get a response after a
couple days, consider bumping it again).

I put mine in when the soil warms up about the same time as my toms. I don't like too
much rain in the forecast as i trench. Did you trench?

I use bone meal and aged clear pine saw dust in the trench and cover 4-6 inches. Then
top dress month later with a bit more bone meal.

Not growing this year being out of room but will again next year.
(i've got peas in that bed now....early sugar snaps and later poles.)

Here is a basic link i have bookmarked...
http://rainyriverrecord.com/node/4553

[Nematode]

Potato can go in the ground before last frost. If they frost off they will regrow and produce fine.
Market producers plant early here to get $$ for first potatoes.
Local was finishing his market crop planting yesterday, frost free date is 2 weeks away.

[Black Krim]

Mr Whoose-- how did your potatos grow???

Nematode-- good to here Mass information. Sounds like you are in western Mass, zone 5. Give the strangly warm winter, Im temped to start some potatos early and risk it. Figuring I can replant. Also called Robins in Oxford, they get seed potatos in for mid March. Never seen dandilions in mid March....

[Worth1]

Potatoes make potatoes in cold soil.
Anything above around 70F they stop making potatoes.

[Black Krim]

THis information came from the growing guide PDF file from Maine Potato Lady
https://www.mainepotatolady.com/pdf/...g-potatoes.pdf


Planting Your Potatoes
Seed potatoes are subject to decay when they are exposed to hot, dry
soil or cold, wet soil. The soil temperature should have reached a temperature
of about 50°F-70°F, or when the dandelions bloom.


In Maine the springs are long and cold. Inland much colder. On the coast cool and humid days and cold nights. As a teen I wore a wool sweater many evenings in the summer living on a coastal island.

Perhaps the cooler weather needed is why the top potato growing states are northern states.

[Black Krim]

Whoose, what variety did you plant, and how deep? Where did you find the spuds in relation to the main plant?

[Black Krim]

Here is more info from UMass source on depth, spacing and other information.
https://nevegetable.org/crops/potato

Im sure it is for the commercial grower but I found interesting tidbits.

[Worth1]

Originally Posted by Black Krim

THis information came from the growing guide PDF file from Maine Potato Lady
https://www.mainepotatolady.com/pdf/...g-potatoes.pdf


Planting Your Potatoes
Seed potatoes are subject to decay when they are exposed to hot, dry
soil or cold, wet soil. The soil temperature should have reached a temperature
of about 50°F-70°F, or when the dandelions bloom.


In Maine the springs are long and cold. Inland much colder. On the coast cool and humid days and cold nights. As a teen I wore a wool sweater many evenings in the summer living on a coastal island.

Perhaps the cooler weather needed is why the top potato growing states are northern states.

Cool and dry that is why Texas has some huge potato farms in the panhandle.
One is in Muleshoe at an elevation of 3,793 feet.
Another in Dalhart elevation 3,983 and another one just west of it.
Nothing compared to the stuff up north but a darn good share at that.
Every potato I buy comes from Texas.

Worth

[Worth1]

Oh yes another thought.
We grew all of our potatoes growing up.
As far as hilling or how deep in the other thread.
Mulch will do just as well and you can keep an eye out for cracking soil around the plant.
When it starts to crack hoe up more soil so the potatoes dont see sunlight and turn green.
My best guess is we grew around 600 feet of potatoes.
Harvesting that many potatoes by hand is back breaking work.

Worth

[Black Krim]

THanks Worth--good to have info from first hand experience.

Everyone should try potatos at least once no matter where they are.

I like mulching as it is easier on the back, especially if the kids do the work. lol

And hand diggin is much easier as that too is hard on the back, and my kids do that to. lol