How to Dig up Potatoes like a Pro: Essential Techniques for Harvesting

How to Dig up Potatoes?

To dig up potatoes, begin by looking for indicators of readiness such as yellowing and wilting of the plants.

Once the potatoes are ready, gently lift the soil around the plant using a garden fork or spade.

Be careful not to damage the potatoes to avoid rot and bacterial infections.

If a potato is accidentally forked, use it immediately.

If you are growing potatoes in a bag, wait until the foliage has yellowed and is dying back before harvesting.

Dump the bag onto a tarp and extract the potatoes by hand.

After harvesting, ensure gentle handling to avoid bruising and shorten the shelf life.

Before storing potatoes, cure them in an area with a temperature of 45-60 F (7-16 C) and a relative humidity of 85-95%.

Remove any shriveled or soft potatoes.

Do not wash the potatoes, only gently rub off excess soil.

Store potatoes in a dark area with a temperature of 38-40 F (3-4 C) and a relative humidity of 90-95%.

Avoid storing them with fruits that produce ethylene gas, and discard green potatoes as they can be toxic.

Key Points:

  • Look for indicators of readiness such as yellowing and wilting of the plants.
  • Gently lift the soil around the plant using a garden fork or spade to avoid damaging the potatoes.
  • If a potato is accidentally forked, use it immediately.
  • Wait until the foliage has yellowed and is dying back before harvesting potatoes grown in a bag.
  • Dump the bag onto a tarp and extract the potatoes by hand.
  • Cure harvested potatoes in an area with specific temperature and humidity conditions before storing.


Did You Know?

1. Unlike some other root vegetables, potatoes can be harvested throughout the year. However, in some regions, the best time to dig up potatoes is in the fall, after the plants have finished flowering and the foliage starts to yellow.
2. To dig up potatoes efficiently, it is recommended to use a potato fork or a digging fork instead of a shovel. The fork allows you to loosen the soil gently and lift the tubers without causing damage.
3. The size and shape of potatoes can vary. While most potatoes are oval or round, some varieties can be long and narrow, resembling fingers (hence their name “fingerling potatoes”).
4. Did you know that potatoes belong to the same plant family as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants? They are all members of the nightshade family, scientifically known as Solanaceae.
5. Potatoes are a great source of vitamin C, especially when consumed with the skin on. In fact, the skin of a medium-sized potato contains more vitamin C than the flesh itself. So, when digging up potatoes for cooking, consider leaving the skins intact for an extra nutritional boost.

Planting And Growing Potatoes: Tips And Timing

Planting potatoes is an easy task that can be done by both experienced gardeners and beginners. One important factor to consider is the timing of planting. Seed potatoes should be planted 2-4 weeks before the last frost date, depending on the climate. This ensures that the potatoes have enough time to mature before colder weather sets in.

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Potatoes can be grown in containers or directly in the garden. When using containers, it is crucial to ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging. If planting in the garden, choose a location with well-draining soil and ample sunlight.

Different varieties of potatoes have different maturation times. Early-season potatoes typically mature in 60-80 days and should be harvested and consumed within three weeks of harvesting. For mid-season potatoes, they are usually ready for picking between 80-100 days after planting and can be stored for up to a month. Later-season potatoes take 100-130 days to mature, but can be stored for 2-3 months.

To summarize:

  • Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before the last frost date.
  • Ensure good drainage if planting in containers.
  • Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil for planting directly in the garden.
  • Harvest early-season potatoes within 3 weeks of harvesting.
  • Store mid-season potatoes for up to a month.
  • Store later-season potatoes for 2-3 months.

Signs Of Harvesting- Potatoes Ready To Be Dug Up

Knowing when your potatoes are ready for harvest is crucial to ensure the best flavor and texture. There are a few indicators that potatoes are ready to be dug up:

  • The first sign is the yellowing and wilting of the plants. As the plants start to die back, it is a clear sign that the potatoes are mature and can be harvested.

  • Another way to determine if the potatoes are ready is by checking the skin. Mature potatoes have a thin skin that can be easily rubbed off. If you can gently rub off the skin with your finger, it is a good indication that the potatoes are ready for harvest.

  • It is essential to keep an eye on the weather during the growing season. If a frost is predicted, it is better to harvest the potatoes before the cold weather arrives to prevent damage.

  • Remember to handle the harvested potatoes gently to avoid bruising and store them in a cool, dark place for extended freshness.

Now, here is a summary of the indicators for potato harvest:

  • Yellowing and wilting of plants.
  • Thin skin that can be easily rubbed off.
  • Frost prediction calls for early harvest.

“The best time to harvest potatoes is when the plants start to die back and the skin can be easily rubbed off.”

Digging Up Potatoes: Techniques And Precautions

When it’s time to harvest your potatoes, it’s crucial to handle them with care to prevent any damage to the tubers. Begin by gently lifting the soil around the plant using a garden fork or spade. Avoid directly piercing the potatoes with the tool, as this can result in rot and bacterial infections.

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If you happen to accidentally pierce a potato with the fork, it’s best to use it right away to avoid spoilage. Additionally, when harvesting, be careful when handling the potatoes to prevent any bruising, as this can shorten their shelf life.

Harvesting Potatoes In Bags: Steps For Success

Harvesting potatoes in bags is a popular method for those with limited space or prefer container gardening. Wait until the foliage of the potatoes turns yellow and begins to die back before harvesting the tubers. This is a sign that the potatoes have completed their growth and are mature.

To harvest, dump the bag onto a tarp or other suitable surface. Carefully extract the potatoes by hand, being gentle to avoid any bruising. In a successful year, around 7 pounds (3 kg) of potatoes can be harvested from a bag.

Preventing Bruising: Handling Potatoes With Care

Bruising is a common issue when handling potatoes, both in commercial and home garden settings. Gentle handling is essential to avoid bruising, as it can shorten the shelf life of the potatoes and make them more susceptible to diseases.

When harvesting and handling potatoes, make sure to be careful and avoid dropping or tossing them. Use a gentle touch to minimize any impacts that could cause bruising. By following these precautions, you can keep your potatoes in optimal condition.

  • Handle potatoes gently to avoid bruising.
  • Dropping or tossing potatoes should be avoided.
  • Gentle touch minimizes impacts that cause bruising.

“Gentle handling is essential to avoid bruising.”

Storing Potatoes For Longevity: Curing And Proper Conditions

Proper storage of potatoes is crucial to extend their shelf life and prevent spoilage. Before storing the potatoes for an extended period, they should undergo a curing process. Curing involves placing the potatoes in a well-ventilated area with a temperature of 45-60 F (7-16 C) and a relative humidity of 85-95%. This process promotes skin thickening and healing of minor cuts and bruises.

After curing, inspect the potatoes and remove any shriveled or soft ones to prevent spoilage. It’s important not to wash the potatoes before storing, as excess moisture can make them prone to molds and mildews. Instead, gently rub off any excess soil.

Potatoes should be stored in a dark area with a temperature of 38-40 F (3-4 C) and a relative humidity of 90-95%. Freezing temperatures should be avoided. Store them open in a box or container or in perforated bags to allow for proper air circulation.

Lastly, it’s crucial to keep potatoes separate from fruits like apples that produce ethylene gas. Ethylene gas can promote sprouting in potatoes, so it’s best to store them away from such fruits.

  • Store potatoes in a dark area with a temperature of 38-40 F (3-4 C) and a relative humidity of 90-95%
  • Avoid freezing temperatures
  • Store them open in a box or container or in perforated bags to allow for proper air circulation
  • Keep potatoes separate from fruits that produce ethylene gas, such as apples
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best tool for digging potatoes?

When it comes to digging up potatoes, garden forks are the superior tool compared to rakes. With their long and sharp-edged tines, garden forks provide the necessary leverage and penetration to easily lift potatoes from the soil. Rakes, on the other hand, may be useful for other gardening tasks such as raking leaves or spreading mulch, but their short and metal tines make them less effective when it comes to digging up root vegetables like potatoes.

How do you know potatoes are ready to dig up?

You can determine if potatoes are ready to be harvested by looking for signs of the plant dying back completely. If the plants have withered and died, it is a clear indication that the potatoes are ready. However, if you are unsure about the timing, you can also do a quick check by gently digging into the soil next to a sample plant and pulling out a potato from the outer part of its root system. If the potato appears mature and of a suitable size, then it is time to dig up the rest of the potatoes.

How do I harvest more potatoes?

To harvest more potatoes, it is essential to continuously hill the soil around the potato plants as they grow. By piling soil around the foliage, you encourage the growth of additional tubers. This process provides a favorable environment for the potatoes to develop underground while preventing any tubers near the surface from turning green due to sun exposure. Consistent hilling throughout the season ensures a higher yield and a successful potato harvest.

What tools are used to dig soil?

When it comes to digging soil, an array of hand tools can be employed based on the texture of the soil and the desired depth of holes. Shovels, spades, axes, digging forks, hoes, and trowels are some of the essential tools utilized for this purpose. These tools are adept at breaking up and excavating soil, each serving its own unique function in various scenarios. From the power and versatility of shovels to the precision of trowels, these tools facilitate efficient and effective digging depending on the specific needs of the task at hand.

References: 1, 2, 3, 4

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