The St. Patrick’s Day Holiday, mid-March, is the reminder most gardeners need to plant their potato crops for the spring. While potatoes can be planted from mid-March through early April in Kansas (anytime the soil temperatures are above 45°F), it’s important to get potatoes planted early so plants have the best chance of producing large potatoes before the summer heat sets in and stops growth.
To produce the best crop, use certified disease-free seed potatoes, rather than potatoes from the grocery store shelves. Seed potatoes can usually be divided into 4 pieces, as long as each piece contains at least one eye. After dividing seed potatoes, store the cut pieces in a warm, humid location for 2 to 3 days before planting. This allows the freshly cut surface to seal over and prevents the seed piece from rotting when planted.
Try not to plant potatoes in the same space in the garden each year, or where tomatoes, peppers, or eggplant were grown the previous season to reduce pest troubles. Space plants 12 inches apart, and space rows 3 feet apart. Plant the seed potato only 2 inches deep and continually pile soil up against the stem as the plant grows.
For more information on growing potatoes in Kansas, visit our Irish Potatoes publication: https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/download/irish-potatoes_MF488
