How to Harvest Potatoes: A Complete Guide from Planting to Storage

Published on: 15 March 2024 Last Updated on: 11 February 2026

If there is something that I have learned in life, it is about gardening. Well, almost everything if not all. And if there is one thing that took me some time to master, it was knowing how to harvest potatoes at home!

Potatoes are one of the most versatile and popular vegetables in the world. They can be cooked in many different ways, such as boiled, baked, fried, mashed, or roasted. Moreover, they are also rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants.

But how do you grow and harvest your own potatoes at home? You see, potatoes are not like cilantro or other plants. These are tubers.

In this article, I will show you everything you need to know about how to harvest potatoes, from planting to storage.

So, if that is something that you are interested in knowing, then I have you covered! Keep on reading this blog till the end to learn more…

How to Plant Potato Seeds or Tubers?

The first step in how to harvest potatoes is to plant them. You can start with either potato seeds or tubers. Potato seeds are small, round, and black, and they are usually sold in packets.

Potato tubers are the actual potatoes that you eat, and they have eyes or buds that can sprout new plants.

You can buy certified seed potatoes from a nursery or garden center, or use organic potatoes from the grocery store.

Here are some if the steps that you must take to plant them:

Planting Potato Seeds

To plant potato seeds, you need to sow them indoors in pots or trays filled with moist potting soil.
Place them in a sunny spot and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
The seeds will germinate in about two weeks and produce small green shoots.
When the shoots are about 3 inches tall, you can transplant them outdoors in your garden or in containers.

Planting Potato Tubers

To plant potato tubers, you need to cut them into pieces, each with at least one eye.
You can do this a few days before planting to let the cut surfaces heal and prevent rotting. Alternatively, you can plant whole small potatoes with several eyes.
To prepare the soil, you need to loosen it and add some organic matter, such as compost or manure.
You also need to make sure the soil is well-drained and slightly acidic, with a pH of 5.0 to 6.0.
You can use a soil test kit to check the pH level and adjust it with lime or sulfur if needed.

Planting Potato Pieces

To plant the potato pieces, you need to dig a trench about 4 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
Place the pieces about 12 inches apart, with the eyes facing up.
Cover them with 3 inches of soil and water well.
As the plants grow, you need to hill up the soil around them to cover the lower stems and prevent the tubers from being exposed to sunlight, which can turn them green and bitter.
You can also mulch the soil with straw, leaves, or grass clippings to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

How to Care for Your Potato Plants?

The second step in how to harvest potatoes is to care for your potato plants. You need to water them regularly, especially during dry spells, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. You also need to fertilize them every two weeks with a balanced organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion or seaweed extract. Also, you can add some wood ash or bone meal to provide extra potassium and phosphorus, which are essential for tuber formation.

You also need to protect your potato plants from pests and diseases, which can reduce your yield and quality. Some of the common potato pests are:

Colorado potato beetles, which are yellow and black striped insects that feed on the leaves and can defoliate the plants. You can handpick them and drop them in a bucket of soapy water, or use an organic insecticide, such as neem oil or pyrethrin.
Potato leafhoppers, which are small, green, winged insects that suck the sap from the leaves and cause them to curl and yellow. You can spray them with a strong jet of water, or use an organic insecticide, such as garlic or hot pepper spray.
Wireworms, which are thin, brown, worm-like larvae that bore into the tubers and cause holes and tunnels. You can trap them with pieces of carrot or potato buried in the soil, or use beneficial nematodes, which are microscopic worms that parasitize and kill the wireworms.

Common Potato Diseases

One of the most common reasons why a potato cannot grow or survive is the diseases. If you were wondering what some of these can be and how to deal with them, I have you covered!

Some of the common potato diseases are:

Late Blight: It is a fungal disease that causes brown spots on the leaves and stems, and black or brown lesions on the tubers. It can spread rapidly and destroy the entire crop. You can prevent it by planting resistant varieties, avoiding overhead watering, and removing any infected plants and tubers. You can also use a fungicide, such as copper or sulfur, as a preventive measure.
Scab: This is a bacterial disease that causes rough, corky patches on the tubers. It does not affect the taste or edibility of the potatoes, but it reduces their appearance and storage quality. You can prevent it by planting resistant varieties, maintaining a slightly acidic soil pH, and avoiding excessive nitrogen fertilization.
Potato Virus Y: Lastly, this is a viral disease that causes mosaic patterns, mottling, or yellowing on the leaves, and misshapen or knobby tubers. It can reduce the yield and quality of the potatoes, and it can be transmitted by aphids or infected seed potatoes. You can prevent it by planting certified virus-free seed potatoes, controlling aphids, and removing any infected plants and tubers.

How to Determine When Your Potatoes Are Ready to Harvest?

The third step in how to harvest potatoes is to determine when they are ready to harvest. This depends on the type and variety of potatoes you planted, and the size and maturity you want.

There are two main types of potatoes: early and late.

Early potatoes are ready to harvest in about 10 to 12 weeks (about 3 months) after planting, and they produce small to medium-sized tubers that are tender and thin-skinned. They are best for boiling, steaming, or roasting.

Late potatoes are ready to harvest in about 15 to 20 weeks (about 4 and a half months) after planting, and they produce large, starchy tubers that are firm and thick-skinned. They are best for baking, mashing, or frying.

Early Harvesting

To harvest early potatoes, you can start digging them up when the plants begin to flower, or when the lower leaves start to yellow.
You can use a garden fork or a spade to gently lift the plants and tubers from the soil, or you can use your hands to feel for the tubers under the soil.
You can harvest as many or as few potatoes as you need, and leave the rest in the ground until you are ready to use them.
You can also harvest some of the young, tender leaves and stems, which are edible and nutritious.

Late Harvesting

To harvest late potatoes, you need to wait until the plants have died back completely, or until the first frost.
This allows the tubers to develop a thicker skin, which helps them store better.
You can use a garden fork or a spade to dig up the entire row of plants and tubers, or you can use a potato digger, which is a special tool that lifts and separates the tubers from the soil.
You need to be careful not to damage or bruise the tubers, as this can cause rotting or spoilage.

How to Dig Up, Cure, and Store Your Potatoes?

The final step in how to harvest potatoes is to dig up, cure, and store your potatoes. This is important to preserve the quality and shelf life of your potatoes, and to prevent them from sprouting, rotting, or shrinking. Here are the steps to follow:

Digging Up

After digging up your potatoes, you need to brush off any excess soil and remove any damaged, diseased, or green tubers.

Do not wash your potatoes, as this can remove the protective skin and invite bacteria and fungi. You can wash them just before cooking or eating them.

Curing

You need to cure your potatoes for about two weeks in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place, such as a basement, garage, or shed.

This allows the skin to harden and heal any minor cuts or bruises and enhances the flavor and texture of the potatoes.

The ideal temperature for curing is between 50°F and 60°F, and the ideal humidity is between 80% and 90%.

You can spread your potatoes in a single layer on a newspaper, cardboard, or wooden crate, and avoid exposing them to light, which can turn them green and bitter.

Storing

You need to store your potatoes in a cool, dark, and dry place, such as a cellar, pantry, or closet. The ideal temperature for storage is between 40°F and 50°F, and the ideal humidity is between 65% and 70%.

You can store your potatoes in paper bags, cardboard boxes, mesh bags, or wooden crates, and check them regularly for any signs of sprouting, rotting, or shriveling.

You can also store your potatoes in a root cellar, which is an underground or partially underground structure that maintains a constant temperature and humidity.

Additionally, you can also store your potatoes in a clamp, which is a mound of straw, hay, or leaves covered with soil, that insulates and protects the potatoes from frost and rodents.

Wrapping It Up!

If you want to know about how to harvest potatoes, I hope that this blog has been of help to you. However, if there are any other queries related to the same, please feel free to let me know.

All that you need to do is scroll down till you reach the bottom of the page. Then leave your comments and suggestions in the box below. And I will be there to answer them all for you!

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Ankita Tripathy

Ankita Tripathy loves to write about food and the Hallyu Wave in particular. During her free time, she enjoys looking at the sky or reading books while sipping a cup of hot coffee. Her favourite niches are food, music, lifestyle, travel, and Korean Pop music and drama.

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Hummingbird Food Recipe: How To Make Hummingbird Nectar?

It always feels good to see a hummingbird in your garden. To see more of them in your garden, you can keep hummingbird nectar/food in a jar in your garden. In fact, with a simple hummingbird food recipe, you can make their lives easier. All you need is a few simple ingredients. In this article, you will learn how to make hummingbird food with simple ingredients. Apart from that, this article also discusses hummingbird nutrition and the steps you can take to set up your bird feeder. Finally, you will learn how to attract more hummingbirds to your garden. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article. Understanding Hummingbird Nutrition There are a variety of food options a hummingbird needs to meet its nutrition. Although they are one of the smallest birds in the world, they burn a lot of their calories by fluttering their tiny wings. Generally, a hummingbird flutters its wings 90 beats per second to maintain its momentum. Hence, you can see that hummingbirds need to eat a lot. In fact, to satisfy their daily calorie requirements, these birds even consume half of their body weight. Basically, they feed on bugs and nectar every 10-15 minutes. Also, they visit 1000-2000 flowers per day. The following are the things that hummingbirds feed on: 1. Nectar: This is the primary food source of hummingbirds. Basically, it consists of 20% sugar and 80% water. Generally, hummingbirds get their nectar from cardinal flowers, bee balm, salvia, and petunias. 2. Insects: For their protein needs, hummingbirds feed on insects. This is also a source of fat and salt for hummingbirds. In fact, nectar does not provide those nutrients. Basically, hummingbirds hunt insects by finding them from flowers, leaves, or tree bark. Sometimes, they also attack insects midair or pluck them from sticky saps. 3. Spiders: Generally, hummingbirds also feed on spiders for protein. However, they are generally small spiders. 4. Tree Sap: When the amount of nectar is low, hummingbirds drink tree sap from tree bark. Generally, woodpeckers drill wells on tree barks to get tree saps. Hummingbird Food Recipe Basically, by offering hummingbird nectar, you can help them with their post-workout meal. Hence, follow the below hummingbird food recipe to make nectar: Ingredients The following are the ingredients you need to make hummingbird nectar: Filtered Water: 4 Cups Regular White Sugar: 1 Cup (If possible, use organic sugar for the recipe) Procedure Here are the steps you must follow to make hummingbird nectar: 1. Get four cups of water in a saucepan and bring it to a boil. 2. Once the water reaches the boiling point, take the water off the heat. Add sugar to the boiling water. 3. Stir the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves in the water. 4. The nectar is ready. Now, you must let the nectar cool completely. 5. Get a hummingbird feeder and place the mixture inside the feeder. Make sure to hang the hummingbird feeder outside (in your garden) to attract hummingbirds. Essential Factors To Consider The following are some of the major factors you must consider before you start making nectar with the hummingbird food recipe: Make sure to change the nectar every four days with a new nectar. This will ensure that the nectar is fresh. Also, remember not to use food coloring in the nectar. Let it be as natural as you can. Regularly check the bird feeder every time you change the nectar inside it. Look whether there is a gray mold inside the feeder base or not. Also, check whether any ant has crawled inside the feeder to consume sugar water. If you check any dirt or ants inside the hummingbird feeder, throw the bird food away. Basically, it is not good for the birds to drink dirty nectar. In fact, there is a high chance that the birds will not feed on the nectar anyway. To clean the feeder, rinse it with warm water. Then, put some bleach into the water inside. This will allow you to clean the feeder with a brush easily. Once you clean the feeder, rinse it thoroughly with fresh water. Moreover, allow the water to dry. After that, please fill up the feeder with food and place it outside. Enhancing The Hummingbird Experience Enhancing the hummingbird experience, you can attract more hummingbirds to your garden/balcony/porch. The following are some of the steps you must follow if you want to enhance the hummingbird experience: 1. Change The Food Regularly Make sure to change the food every 3-4 days. This is because nectar spoils quite fast, especially when the weather is hot. In fact, if the weather is above 30 degrees Celsius, make sure to change the nectar regularly. Also, make sure to keep the feeder in the shade. This will prevent the sugar from fermenting. 2. Use The Right Amount Of Ingredient You can make hummingbird nectar with just water and sugar. However, you must ensure the water-to-sugar ratio is 4:1. Then, boil the water and add the sugar. After that, mix them until the mixture is perfect. After that, you must let the mixture cool before you add it to the feeder. 3. Avoid Honey Generally, honey can ferment fast and becomes a great place for mold to grow quickly. Moreover, they can be sticky and get on the feathers of hummingbirds. Hence, it is better to avoid honey. 4. Add Another Feeder Although hummingbirds are small and cute, they can be incredibly aggressive and territorial when confronting other hummingbirds. Hence, to avoid conflict among hummingbirds, it is better to add a second feeder if you want to ensure every hummingbird gets the opportunity to have the nectar. 5. Clean The Feeders Make sure to clean the feeders every week. Moreover, if you have hot weather around, clean the feeders twice every week. While you clean, ensure the vinegar-to-water ratio is 1:4. Also, rinse the feeders well before you refill. Furthermore, while rinsing, do not use dish soap. This is because they can leave harmful residue on the feeders. Setting Up Your Hummingbird Feeder The following are the steps you must take to set up your hummingbird feeder: Make the nectar by checking the hummingbird food recipe in the previous section. Hang the feeder in your garden at the start of spring. Generally, hummingbirds migrate through your area in the spring. Also, leave the feeder up after the hummingbirds migrate in the fall. Hang the feeder in a place where it is visible for hummingbirds to see. Also, make sure to place the feeder in an area where you can have a good look. Clean the nectar every 3-4 days and clean the feeder thoroughly each time you change the nectar. This way, you can prevent dust and mold from getting into the feeder. Sugar water is safe and helpful for hummingbirds. Basically, it is quite similar to the natural nectar that hummingbirds find in flowers. If you want to make your own feeder, use an old spice container, bottle, mason jar, or wine bottle. Attracting More Hummingbirds Here are some of the major ways you can attract hummingbirds to your garden: 1. Offer Hummingbird Food/Nectar: If you make sugar water and keep it in a feeder in your garden, you can attract many hummingbirds in your area. To make this item, you can see the hummingbird food recipe above. 2. Keep Water: Generally, hummingbirds also like to bathe. Hence, you can keep some water in a pot/jar to allow hummingbirds to access water for bathing and drinking. 3. Perch Area: You can leave small branches and sticks on your trees and plants. This will allow hummingbirds to perch on. 4. Plant Flowers: There is no alternative to pure nectar that flowers have. Hence, this attracts hummingbirds a lot. For instance, you can use hummingbird sage, honeysuckle, bee balm, and more. Also, you can add other types of flowers to your garden. 5. Keep Other Animals Out: If you have a pet cat/dog in your home, keep them inside. This is because they can bother hummingbirds or even end up killing them. 6. Avoid Pesticides: Pesticides are repellants for hummingbirds as well as insects. Hence, make sure not to use them or use them minimally. Make Your Hummingbird Food Now Now, you can make hummingbird nectar with the help of the hummingbird food recipe in the article. However, make sure to change the food every 3-4 days. Also, ensure to clean the jar every time you change the food. This way, you can ensure clean food for hummingbirds. Do you have more suggestions on how to make hummingbird food? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below. Additional Resources: Is Indian Food Healthy? – Major Nutritional Benefits of Indian Cuisine 15 Healthy Mexican Food Items With Immense Health Benefits The Importance Of Proper Cutting When Preparing Meals

5 Things To Consider When Shopping For Non-Alcoholic Bitters

Whether you’re a passionate mocktail mixer, an expert bartender, or just looking to add some flavor to your favorite dishes, non-alcoholic bitters are the perfect way to add a layer of complexity and depth. Not sure where to start? That’s ok. We’ve put together this comprehensive guide on five things you should consider when shopping for non-alcoholic bitters, including their unique health benefits. Here Are Five Prime Things To Consider When Shopping For Non-Alcoholic Bitters Read on as we show you everything you need to know about buying the best non-alcoholic bitters around. 1 - Don’t Mistake Alcoholic Bitters For Non-Alcoholic We'll start with the most obvious point. It's essential to make sure you’re buying non-alcoholic bitters, like the ones that can be found at All The Bitter. Most bitters look alike when shopping at the grocery store, so sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference between the two. Shopping online for non-alcoholic bitters is probably your best bet because these niche stores have exactly what you’re looking for. 2 - Organic and Wild-Foraged Ingredients Make sure that the ingredients in your non-alcoholic bitters are organic and wild-foraged. This means that they haven’t been exposed to harsh chemicals or synthetic additives, so you can be confident that they are as natural as possible. This also ensures that your drink is free from artificial flavors and colors, which can take away from the authentic taste of a mocktail. Mom-and-pop stores do better with this versus big-name brands that can be found at your local grocery store. Let’s face it, handmade is always better than processed. 3 - Beneficial Botanicals And Health Benefits Finally, consider what beneficial botanicals and health benefits each non-alcoholic bitter has included in its recipe. Such as the following: gentian root (helps digestion) dandelion root (a natural diuretic) Burdock root (anti-inflammatory properties) milk thistle seed (liver detoxifier) holy basil (antioxidant effects) orange peel (to aid digestion) ginger root (anti-nausea effects) yellow dock root (rich in iron)I Not only can these ingredients help support well-being, but they also bring an added depth of flavor and complexity to any mocktail – so choose wisely. 4 - Vegan If you follow a vegan lifestyle, you will want to check if the non-alcoholic bitters have been made with vegan ingredients, as some may contain animal products such as honey or beeswax. Even if you’re not vegan, it’s always good to keep vegan-friendly bitters on hand for guests who may follow that lifestyle. 5 - Gluten-Free If you follow a gluten-free diet, check if the bitters are gluten-free before adding them to your cart. While many brands use gluten in their recipes, there are some options available that don't contain gluten at all, so be sure to thoroughly check the label before making a purchase. Consider These Tips When Shopping For Non-Alcoholic Bitters As more people switch from alcoholic drinks to mocktails, there is an ever-growing demand for good quality non-alcoholic bitters. But not all products are created equal. So when shopping for them, make sure you keep these five things in mind. This way, you can guarantee yourself an enjoyable mocktail experience every time. With so many great options available, it shouldn't be too hard to find something perfect for you – happy sipping, and thanks for reading. Read Also: How To Quit Alcohol: Consider Non-Alcoholic Drinks Tips to Follow When Ordering Alcohol Online Delta 8 Vs Delta 9: What’s The Difference?

How To Freeze Dry Food At Home Fast? – Steps To Follow

How to freeze dry food? - To freeze-dry your food, you need first to freeze your food and then dry it under pressure to remove water content. This process is called lyophilization. In fact, it is one of the best methods to use if you want to dry your food. Actually, it is a common practice in both the pharmaceutical and food industries. In this article, you will learn how to freeze dry food at home with simple methods. However, before that, you will also understand the freeze-drying process and the types of food you can freeze-dry. Moreover, you will also learn the benefits of freeze-drying and essential tips to freeze-dry your food successfully. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article. Understanding Freeze Drying Freeze drying is a process where you remove water from a food material by freezing it. Then, you turn the ice into vapor by putting the item under pressure. Hence, you can see that this process is a dehydration technique where you sublimate the water in a product. It means that the water content in your product changes from a solid state to a gaseous state (sublimation). Here, the water does not turn into liquid. Generally, this method is helpful when you want to preserve any perishable materials. Here, the goal is to extend the shelf life of the material. In this case, you freeze the material and reduce the pressure. Then, you add heat to allow the frozen water in the food (material) to change directly to vapor. How Does Freeze Drying Work? Freeze drying consists of three stages: freezing, sublimation, and desorption. Here is an explanation of the three stages: 1. Freezing This process involves freezing the food at a very low temperature. Generally, you have to freeze to -30 to -50°F. 2. Sublimation (Primary Drying) In this stage, you have to pass mild heat over the frozen material while the material is under vacuum. Hence, the ice crystals vaporize into water vapor. After that, you remove the water vapor with the help of a vacuum pump. 3. Desorption This is the second stage of drying. Here, you have to remove all the remaining moisture from the surface of the food. Benefits Of Freeze Drying Food The following are the major advantages of freeze-drying that will benefit you a lot: Generally, the foods that you freeze-dry retain up to 97% of their nutritional value. For instance, the food retains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Those foods have a long shelf life. Moreover, you do not need to store it in cold chains. Once you freeze-dry your food, you will end up removing 98% of its water content. Hence, you will reduce its weight by 90%. Thereby, it will be easy for you to carry that food on camping and backpacking trips. Freeze-dried food is easy to prepare. This is because you just have to add water to rehydrate them. Moreover, the shape and size of the food remains intact. Also, freeze-drying helps in preventing the growth of pathogenic organisms. You can preserve a wide range of foods with freeze-drying. This includes meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs, ice cream, and more. When you freeze-dry food, it does not get brown or caramelize. However, this is quite common when you dry food traditionally. How To Freeze Dry Food At Home? Here are the steps you must follow to freeze dry food at home: Wash your food items that you want to freeze-dry. Also, remove dirt and residues from the food. This way, you can ensure food safety. Cut your food into small pieces. This way, you can make the freeze-drying process faster. Place your food on a flat tray. Moreover, make sure to spread the food evenly. Basically, if you spread your food properly, you can freeze the food evenly. Place your food in your freezer, and set the temperature correctly. Then, place the food in your freezer for two weeks. Actually, you need this time to remove the moisture in the food. After the completion of two weeks, remove the trays from the freezer. After that, quickly place the food items in airtight bags. Make sure to take out one tray at a time to ensure that the food does not rehydrate. Make sure to place the food bags in the freezer, and also in a cool, dark spot. Check the food after a couple of days. This way, you ensure whether all the food is dried-up or not. Tips For Successful Freeze Drying The following are some essential tips by following which you can successfully freeze dry your food: 1. Preparing the Food Harvest the food produced when it is ripe. Then, wash the food, remove the damaged parts, and prepare it as desired. This is because if you cut your food into small pieces, it will dry faster. 2. Arrange the Food Place your food on a tray and arrange it into pieces. Also, make sure to place those pieces in such a way that they do not touch each other. 3. Use A Freeze Dryer With the help of a freeze dryer, you can automatically lower the temperature. Moreover, a freeze dryer also helps you to create a vacuum. 4. Store The Food Once you freeze-dry your food, store it in an airtight container. Also, you can store it in a bag which you can vacuum-seal it. 5. Cook Raw Foods: One of the drawbacks of freeze-drying is that it does not kill harmful bacteria. Hence, you must cook freeze-dried foods thoroughly before consumption. Related: The Importance Of Proper Cutting When Preparing Meals Common Uses For Freeze-Dried Ingredients The following are some of the common uses of freeze-dried foods: Works as essential food supplies at times of emergencies. They have a long shelf-life and you can use it to maintain food quality. You can use freeze-dried food in stews, soups, baked goods, etc. You can eat freeze-dried food as a healthy snack any time. If you freeze-dry your seasonings, you can retain the flavor and freshness for years. Wrapping Up You now know how to freeze dry food. Generally, in manufacturing, food companies and manufacturers prefer freeze-dried food over regular food. This is because they are easy to prepare and are portable and lightweight. Also, such food removes the moisture from the food to make it compact. Do you have more suggestions for freeze-drying to offer? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.

How to Harvest Potatoes: A Complete Guide from Planting to Storage