A staple food in several parts of the world and a beloved inclusion in various dishes worldwide, the potato has a distinguished status in the vegetable garden.
It generates billions in sales annually, so it is no surprise if you want a batch of potatoes in your home.
However, it is a must to be on time while planting the potatoes. If you tread even slightly out of the given timeline, your potatoes can end up destroyed.
Keeping up with these requirements can be highly confusing, leaving you wondering when to plant potatoes in Kansas.
The exact time for sowing in these tubers depends on where you live. If you live in Kansas, the best time to plant potatoes will be at the start of the year, depending on the temperature, of course.
In addition to answering your question—when to plant potatoes in Kansas—we will be seeing some information about growing potatoes as well.
Please keep reading.
When to Plant Potatoes in Kansas?
The ideal time to plant potatoes depends more on the soil condition in your area and the climatic conditions rather than the date or month of the year.
As a rule of thumb, you must plant potatoes when you know there will be enough time for the crop to grow before the next frost.
So, make sure you wait for the last frost of the spring season to pass before you lay your potatoes.
Generally, potatoes are planted somewhere in March.
Mostly, you have to be done with the plantation by mid-March. However, if the climate conditions and weather of your area allow, you can extend the date till the end of March or even the start of April.
In colder regions, you may have to wait longer to plant potatoes, while in warmer areas, you may be able to plant earlier than usual.
No matter where you live, you have to remember that potatoes will not be able to survive in wet soil, so you have to wait for the weather to adjust to a point where moisture can evaporate.
Moreover, the crops also don’t survive in a temperature below 50 degrees.
In eastern and central parts of Kansas, the best time is to plant potatoes in the middle of March. You may be able to plant in the early portion of March if you live in the southern regions of Kansas.
Planting potatoes in a few northeastern regions is only possible until early April due to extreme weather. In most cases, you can produce a higher yield of the crop you plant earlier in March.
One tip to keep in mind if you live in colder regions is that you can get your hands on early-maturing varieties that grow faster, so if you plant the potatoes later in the year, the crops might still be able to give out a high yield.
Care Tips to Grow High Yield of Potatoes!
Now that you know when to plant potatoes in Kansas, let’s move on to some special care tips for growing these vegetables!
- Potatoes need an optimal amount of water in their growing period so remember to water the soil to 1–2 inches.
- You should check the soil before watering. Stick your finger in the soil to feel the dampness, or use a moisture meter.
- Only add more water once the 1 to 2 inches of the soil are dry.
- Another important tip is that potatoes are not a fan of the sun.
- As you witness the first sprouts of the stem, you must add 1–2 inches of mulch around it.
- As the plant grows, keep adding mulch or soil around the stem to provide shade from the sun.
- If the potatoes receive excessive sunlight during their growing period, they can end up destroyed, with the vegetables turning green.
- These green potatoes are not safe for consumption.
Now, let’s see how to harvest your perfectly grown potatoes.
Harvesting the Potato Crop
Pot harvesting time will also vary depending on when you planted them.
But if you want to ensure that you get the perfect shape, taste, and texture of potatoes, there are some tricks you can follow for harvesting.
Related article: How Long Does It Take for Store Bought Potatoes to Sprout?
When the plant’s vines start to die, there is a high chance that the potatoes have reached maximum maturity. Look for early signs of death in the plant, such as browning leaves and a wilting stem. This is the ideal time to pull out the potatoes. If you dig out the crop too early and do not wait for the vines to die, potatoes may be squishy or too soft to cook properly.
Digging out too late can also have a devastating effect on the crops. Overdeveloped potatoes are not apt for consumption.
In Kansas, if you plant the crop in the early days of March or the middle of the month, you can start harvesting in the middle of July or slightly later in the month.
If you live in the northern regions of Kansas, where the temperature is colder, you may not have planted the potatoes till April. In that case, you may have to wait till late August to start harvesting the crop.
Since harvesting takes place in the summer, you must be mindful of some important points to save your crop yield.
- Avoid digging out the potatoes on a scorching day.
- Choose a milder day for the harvesting process.
- Once you have dug out the potatoes, you should keep them in a dry and warm place for a few days, away from sunlight.
- If you expose your crop to direct sun rays right out of the soil, your potatoes may end up bad.
- So, take them to a shaded place for 3–4 days before storing them in your pantry.
Here’s an excellent YouTube video showing how to plant potatoes for a great yield.
Conclusion
When to plant potatoes in Kansas, you asked? I hope you got the answer!
Potatoes are incredibly profitable and versatile
Since they are underground plants, figuring out how to grow them properly may be complicated when you first start experimenting. However, as you keep learning and growing more batches, you will gain more skills and learn tricks on the proper growing conditions for potatoes.
Remember to plant them at the right time!
And if you fail to grow the perfect batch this time, keep trying, and you will soon be able to eat fresh, juicy potatoes dug right out of your garden.
Regards,
Happy planting!