Potato Facts Point to an Interesting Origin

Vegetables can be interesting, and when you hear the following potato facts, you will agree that growing potatoes can be a real treat. The facts of the origin of potatoes are your first surprise. Most people suspect that the potato came from Ireland, since potatoes are associated with the famine in that country that has so many of them come to the United States. The fact is, potatoes were growing in the fields of Peru thousands of years ago because they are hardy and able to be grown in cold, difficult climates. The potato became a staple in the diet of many people in many regions throughout the centuries because of it is easy to grow and provides a great deal of nutrition. A medium sized potato is a fat free source of 23 grams of carbs, protein, fiber, and potassium.

How to grow potatoes is as simple as keeping your garden soil well cultivated and well tilled. The biggest culprit to be concerned about with potatoes and the facts in growing them is the treacherous potato blight. It was the cause of the great potato famine in Ireland in the 1840's, and it can harm any sized garden, especially one growing potatoes.

The Terror of the Potato Terra

Early blight will show with black spots surrounded by yellowish colored rings that terrorize the leaves and cause them to fall off the plant early in the growth stages. Since potatoes grow in the ground, you can only tell if your garden is infected by blight by carefully monitoring the potato plant leaves. How to avoid potato blight is to be aware of the temperatures. If the weather is hot and humid, your potato garden is potentially getting extra moisture that is causing sweating on the leaves.

Using a pesticide called mancozeb early in the season, and following with treatment of the leaves every 6 or 7 weeks can control the blight. Avoid the situation by watering by flood method, and avoid the leaves from getting wet. Where you find garden seed, such as vegetable seed catalogs, you will find organic pesticides as an alternative, as well, for potato disease prevention.

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