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Grow a Crop of Potatoes

Grow potatoes in an open, sunny site in well-drained soil. Plant early varieties one month before the last frosts are predicted, and main-crop types in late spring.

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Protect Plants

When seed potatoes are first planted out, hilling up may not provide enough protection from frost. In colder regions, add a layer of straw to prevent tubers from freezing.

Layer of Straw Prevents Tubers from FreezingEnlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - How to Grow Practically Everything © 2010 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Harvesting

When the flowers begin to open, your potatoes are ready to harvest. Use a garden fork to dig them up from below, accessing them from the side of the mound, to avoid damaging them.

Harvesting Potatoes With a Fork Shovel to Avoid DamageEnlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - How to Grow Practically Everything © 2010 Dorling Kindersley Limited

Tip: Storing Potatoes

Main-crop potatoes can be stored in paper sacks. After harvesting, brush off the soil and dry in the sun for a few hours. Pack away only the perfect tubers in a cool, dry area and check them regularly.

Store Potatoes in Paper SacksEnlarge Photo+Shrink Photo-DK - How to Grow Practically Everything © 2010 Dorling Kindersley Limited
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Excerpted from How to Grow Practically Everything

© 2010 Dorling Kindersley Limited

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