From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Massachusetts

I have 10 plants up. Red potato variety. The plants are about a foot tall and i have been hilling up the soil. How much should of the plant be exposed or how much should i be mounding up around the plant. Also, the seedlings broke ground abour may 10th or so how long before they are ready to eat? Does the plant ever flower? Thank you for your time

6/7/2011 2:35:15 PM

Bethlehem CT

Hi Eric My mounds are usually 8-12" high. Which is about 2-3 times hoeing the soil up against the plant. When they first come up, I completely cover the young plants with soil. After that the plants are too big so you just want to add soil to build the mound up. This is where your potatoes will be. Hilling serves to provide a nice environment for the potatoes to grow in, it also kills the weeds. The plants will continue to grow and cover the ground for a while after the last "hilling". For me that is usually at the end of May beginning of June They will flower as the plant matures. I plant mine in early to mid april and they usually start to flower mid to late June. I start digging new potatoes in early to mid July.( early varieties like 'Yukon Gold' or'Caribe' are ready first) Wait until the plants start to die back then you can harvest the rest. It is O.K to peek and see what is going on under the soil. Those early potatoes are always the best! Hope this helps.

6/8/2011 4:06:33 PM

New Hampshire, USA

Yes wait until 3 or 4 weeks after they flower!

6/29/2011 12:07:05 AM