Potato varieties and planting potatoes - how and when

The average American consumes around 125 pounds of potato varieties every year. It is no surprise then that planting potatoes is one of the most common vegetable garden activities across the country. Irish potatoes are one of the most popular potato varieties and as far as planting potatoes is one of the easiest varieties to grow.

Potatoes are a cool season crop and so they grow best in early spring and late fall when the days are warm and the nights are cool. Although potato varieties grow best at this time and the edible part of the plant is an underground stem the tops of the plant will not withstand frost. Planting potatoes needs to ensure that the area takes full sun for best production. Seed potatoes grow optimally in a loose, well-drained, slightly acid soil. Poorly drained soils often cause poor stands and low yields. Heavy soils can cause the stems to be small and rough.

The most common type of Irish potato varieties are red or white. Most red varieties store longer than white varieties and hence planting potatoes of the red variety is a common option for the home grower. As a result, many home gardeners plant some of each in the spring. The whites are used first and the reds stored for later use.

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