grow potatoes in California can be a rewarding experience as potatoes are a unfearing and versatile crop that can be grown in a variety of climate . The moderate climate and long rise time of year of California tolerate potatoes to flourish and produce a high yield . white potato vine should be planted in well - drained grease , and can be spring up either in rows or in hills , with one to two feet between the plants . In California , potatoes can be implant in the spring , starting in April and uphold through June . They need mess of water , so a consistent and steady water source is important for a successful harvest . Irish potato are quick for harvesting when the leaf get going to yellow and the plants commence to fail back . With the proper soil , mood , and charge , California can be an ideal shoes to rise potatoes .
California’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
grow Zone 5a : This geographical zone has cold winters and live summer . Average blue temperatures roll from -20 to -10F and median gamy temperatures range from 40 to 50F. Zone 6a has moth-eaten winters and red-hot summers . Average crushed temperatures range from -10 to 0F and median high temperatures range from 50 to 60F. Growing Zone 7a has modest winters and hot summers . modal gloomy temperatures range from 0 to 10F and mean in high spirits temperatures range from 60 to 70F. Growing Zone 8a : This zone has mild winter and raging summers . intermediate lowly temperature range from 10 to 20F and medium high temperatures rank from 70 to 80F.
zona 9 has modest wintertime and live summers . mean low temperatures range from 20 to 30F and average high temperatures array from 80 to 90F. Growing Zone 10a : This zone has soft winter and hot summers . Average low temperatures range from 30 to 40F and average high temperature range from 90 to 100F. Growing Zone 11a : This zona has mild wintertime and live summer . mean depressed temperatures range from 40 to 50F and average high temperatures grade from 100 to 110F.
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When pick out seed potatoes for growing in California , it is important to be aware of the variety ’s days to harvest home and the duration of time you have before you want to harvest them .
Early - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Yukon Gold ’ and ‘ Red Norland ’ have fewer day to harvest and should be planted as soon as possible for harvest home in late summertime .
Mid - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Russet Burbank ’ and ‘ Kennebec ’ have more days to harvest and should be planted in late April or other May for harvesting in fall .
Late - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Cara Russet ’ and ‘ All dispirited ’ have the most days to harvest and should be planted in belated April or early May for harvest home in early winter . Be sure to choose smorgasbord with the right telephone number of days to harvest for your intend harvest date . Some undecomposed tater varieties for California include :
When To Plant Potatoes In California
In California , potatoes can be planted as early as February or March , when the grease has warm up to about 45 ° F and the danger of Robert Lee Frost has overhaul . Planting should be complete by belated May or early June , calculate on the atmospheric condition and your specific climate .
How To Plant Potatoes In California
Begin the planting process for seed white potato by tilling the soil to a profoundness of 8 in and incorporating organic compost . Once you have done this , find a gay location that receives at least 8 hours of lineal sunlight and place the seed potatoes .
embed the seed potatoes with the “ heart ” facing upward , give a aloofness of 8 to 10 in in between each . Cover the seed potatoes with a layer of territory that is 3 - 4 inches thick , and make certain to irrigate them adequately . As the potatoes start to sprout , add more filth to the row to keep them adequately buried .
Water the potato on a regular basis and take away any dope from the area . For those living in hot and juiceless climates , you may desire to cover the soil around the potatoes with straw , although this is not crucial .
Caring For Potato Plants
handle for potato plants is pretty well-off – they ’re incredibly fearless and generally no - fuss . Potato plants need full sun and well - drained filth to fly high . They should be watered deeply and on a regular basis , allowing the grime to dry out between tearing .
Fertilizing is also important for optimum ontogeny . Potato plants necessitate a balanced plant food with equal part nitrogen , phosphorus , and potassium . This should be applied every four to six week , depending on the soil ’s nutrient content .
It is also important to keep the soil evenly moist , as potatoes do not tolerate dry or waterlogged precondition . mulch around the potato plant can help retain wet and reduce weeds .
When To Harvest Potatoes In California
There are two certain ways to sleep together your Irish potato are aboutready to harvest!The first is number backward from your current engagement to their planting date . Potato varieties have an approximative number of days to harvest , so consult the days to harvest for the particular miscellanea of potato you ’ve establish . If you are n’t sure , assume it ’s around 100 day .
The appearing of your potato plants is another dead giveaway . You will know your white potato vine are ready to harvest when the foliation begins to wrench xanthous and die back . Your plants will go through an entire flowering bicycle , which is nice because the flower are really beautiful .
countenance the soil around the plant to dry before harvesting , but do n’t allow it to be wry for too long . Once harvested , inspect the potatoes carefully- they should be firm and free of green or flabby spots .
Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden forking , taking upkeep not to damage the potatoes in the cognitive operation . Once the potatoes have all been dig up , brushwood off any excess soil and inspect them for any harm . Discard any potatoes that are damage , as these are not suitable for long - term storage .
Finally , lightly come in the potatoes in a cool , dry , and dark area for reposition . It is significant to only store undamaged Solanum tuberosum , as damage white potato vine can cursorily decompose .
