Harvesting Potatoes - August 17, 2023 - Amy Timmerman - Extension Educator
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- [0:00] This is Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension.
- [0:03] Potatoes are a popular crop to grow in home vegetable gardens.
- [0:07] However, there’s a lot to know about growing and harvesting potatoes properly.
- [0:11] A common question is when can I harvest my potatoes?
- [0:15] Potatoes can be harvested when the tubers are small and immature,
- [0:18] known as new potatoes, or when the crop is fully mature.
- [0:22] New potatoes are dug when the plants are still green
- [0:25] and the tubers are greater than 1 inch in diameter.
- [0:28] New potatoes should be used immediately, as they do not store well.
- [0:32] Potatoes grown for storage should be harvested
- [0:34] after the vines have died and the crop is mature.
- [0:37] To check crop maturity, dig up one or two hills after the plants have died.
- [0:42] If the skins on the tubers are thin and rub off easily, the crop is not fully mature.
- [0:48] Allow the crop to mature for several more days before harvesting the potatoes.
- [0:52] When harvesting potatoes, it is best to avoid bruising, skinning or cutting the tubers.
- [0:58] Damaged potatoes should be used as soon as possible.
- [1:01] Before storing the potatoes, cure the tubers at a temperature
- [1:05] of 50-60°F and high relative humidity, about 85-90%, for two weeks.
- [1:12] The curing process allows minor cuts and bruises to heal and the skin to thicken.
- [1:17] Once cured, store potatoes at a temperature of 40°F and relative humidity of 90-95%.
- [1:26] Why are some of my potato tubers green?
- [1:29] The potato tubers were likely exposed to light in the garden or storage.
- [1:33] The skin on tubers exposed to light turns green due to the formation of chlorophyll.
- [1:39] The chlorophyll itself is not a problem.
- [1:42] However, higher levels of glycoalkaloids also develop in the green tissue.
- [1:47] Green tubers have a bitter taste when eaten.
- [1:50] They may also cause an upset stomach and more serious health problems.
- [1:55] Tubers with small green areas can be safely eaten
- [1:58] if the green portions are cut off and discarded.
- [2:01] It would be best to discard potatoes that are largely green.
- [2:05] Why are my potatoes knobby?
- [2:08] Fluctuations in soil moisture levels during
- [2:10] tuber development may cause knobby potatoes.
- [2:14] Watering regularly, about once a week,
- [2:17] during dry periods help prevent this problem from occurring.
- [2:21] Finally, Why are my potatoes covered in rough, corky patches?
- [2:25] Rough, corky patches on the surface of potato tubers are due to potato scab.
- [2:31] Potato scab is caused by the bacterium Streptomyces scabies.
- [2:36] Though unsightly, scabby potatoes are still edible.
- [2:40] Simply peel the potatoes before use.
- [2:42] To avoid potato scab we will be looking at alterations in pH, also planting
- [2:49] disease free potatoes in spring and choosing cultivars
- [2:53] with good resistance for potato scab in the following year.
- [2:57] Also rotation of the placement of potatoes in the garden is critical.
- [3:01] And if possible, potatoes in the same garden area
- [3:04] should only should be planted every three or four years.
- [3:07] This has been Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension.