Harvesting Potatoes

Amy Timmerman, Extension Educator Author

09/13/2023 Added

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Potatoes are a popular crop to grow in home vegetable gardens. However, there’s a lot to know about growing and harvesting potatoes properly.

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[00:00:00.722]This is Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension.
[00:00:03.663]Potatoes are a popular crop to grow in home vegetable gardens.
[00:00:07.243]However, there’s a lot to know about growing and harvesting potatoes properly.
[00:00:11.623]A common question is when can I harvest my potatoes?
[00:00:15.623]Potatoes can be harvested when the tubers are small and immature,
[00:00:18.774]known as new potatoes, or when the crop is fully mature.
[00:00:22.364]New potatoes are dug when the plants are still green
[00:00:25.064]and the tubers are greater than 1 inch in diameter.
[00:00:28.054]New potatoes should be used immediately, as they do not store well.
[00:00:32.054]Potatoes grown for storage should be harvested
[00:00:34.664]after the vines have died and the crop is mature.
[00:00:37.463]To check crop maturity, dig up one or two hills after the plants have died.
[00:00:42.304]If the skins on the tubers are thin and rub off easily, the crop is not fully mature.
[00:00:48.180]Allow the crop to mature for several more days before harvesting the potatoes.
[00:00:52.770]When harvesting potatoes, it is best to avoid bruising, skinning or cutting the tubers.
[00:00:58.513]Damaged potatoes should be used as soon as possible.
[00:01:01.925]Before storing the potatoes, cure the tubers at a temperature
[00:01:05.365]of 50-60°F and high relative humidity, about 85-90%, for two weeks.
[00:01:12.065]The curing process allows minor cuts and bruises to heal and the skin to thicken.
[00:01:17.684]Once cured, store potatoes at a temperature of 40°F and relative humidity of 90-95%.
[00:01:26.406]Why are some of my potato tubers green?
[00:01:29.616]The potato tubers were likely exposed to light in the garden or storage.
[00:01:33.793]The skin on tubers exposed to light turns green due to the formation of chlorophyll.
[00:01:39.422]The chlorophyll itself is not a problem.
[00:01:42.132]However, higher levels of glycoalkaloids also develop in the green tissue.
[00:01:47.590]Green tubers have a bitter taste when eaten.
[00:01:50.470]They may also cause an upset stomach and more serious health problems.
[00:01:55.437]Tubers with small green areas can be safely eaten
[00:01:58.667]if the green portions are cut off and discarded.
[00:02:01.627]It would be best to discard potatoes that are largely green.
[00:02:05.861]Why are my potatoes knobby?
[00:02:08.481]Fluctuations in soil moisture levels during
[00:02:10.821]tuber development may cause knobby potatoes.
[00:02:14.381]Watering regularly, about once a week,
[00:02:17.261]during dry periods help prevent this problem from occurring.
[00:02:21.641]Finally, Why are my potatoes covered in rough, corky patches?
[00:02:25.641]Rough, corky patches on the surface of potato tubers are due to potato scab.
[00:02:31.581]Potato scab is caused by the bacterium Streptomyces scabies.
[00:02:36.021]Though unsightly, scabby potatoes are still edible.
[00:02:40.021]Simply peel the potatoes before use.
[00:02:42.971]To avoid potato scab we will be looking at alterations in pH, also planting
[00:02:49.181]disease free potatoes in spring and choosing cultivars
[00:02:53.181]with good resistance for potato scab in the following year.
[00:02:57.181]Also rotation of the placement of potatoes in the garden is critical.
[00:03:01.511]And if possible, potatoes in the same garden area
[00:03:04.736]should only should be planted every three or four years.
[00:03:07.761]This has been Amy Timmerman with Nebraska Extension

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Harvesting Potatoes

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