Want to grow Irish potatoes?
It’s easier than you think!
With the right tactics, you can have a bountiful harvest. Discover these 9 simple tricks to grow the best Irish potatoes in your garden.
Ready to dig in? Let’s go!
Choose the Right Variety
First things first, choose the right variety of Irish potatoes. Some popular ones include Russets, Yukon Gold, and Red Potatoes.
Keep in mind your local climate and soil conditions. Talk to your local nursery to get some recommendations if you’re unsure.
Prepare the Soil
Irish potatoes love well-draining soil that’s rich in organic matter. Before planting, dig in some compost or well-rotted manure.
Aim for a pH between 5.0 and 7.0. You can grab a soil test kit from your local garden store to help you out with this.
Planting Time
Plant your seed potatoes in early spring once the soil has warmed up a bit. Cut larger seed potatoes into smaller pieces, making sure each piece has at least one “eye.” Plant them about 4 inches deep and 12 inches apart in rows, with the rows about 3 feet apart.
Watering
Potatoes like consistent moisture, but they hate soggy soil. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially during the flowering stage.
Avoid getting water on the leaves to fend off diseases. A good soaker hose can make this job easier.
Hilling
As your potato plants grow, mound up soil around the stems. This is called “hilling” and helps protect the developing tubers from the sun and pests.
Aim to hill your plants two or three times throughout the growing season.
Pest Control
Keep an eye out for common pests like Colorado potato beetles and aphids. Handpick beetles off the plants or use organic pesticides.
Also, consider planting beneficial plants like marigolds to deter pests naturally.
Harvest Time
After the plant flowers, you can start checking for new potatoes—small, tender tubers perfect for salads. For full-sized potatoes, wait until the foliage yellows and dies back.
Carefully dig up the tubers with a spade, taking care not to damage them.
Storage
Once harvested, let your potatoes cure in a cool, dark place for about two weeks. This will help toughen their skins for storage.
Store them in a cool, dark, and dry place to keep them fresh for months.
Enjoy!
Now that you’ve grown your own Irish potatoes, it’s time to enjoy them! Whether you bake, fry, mash, or roast them, nothing beats the taste of homegrown potatoes.
Happy growing!