How does growing your own actually work?
First, you need seed potatoes. These have a higher germination rate and are, so to speak, the "seed" from which many new potatoes grow.
When can we start?
Early varieties go into the ground in early to mid-April, late varieties in early to mid-May. If you want to shorten the growing time a bit, germinate the seed potatoes beforehand: Place the tubers in shallow boxes or boxes (preferably close together) three weeks before planting, in a cool, bright place at around 15°C. Firm, green sprouts will soon appear (good!)
and not the thin white ones you see when potatoes are stored too warm.
In the bed…
...plant the potatoes about a foot apart. The row spacing should be a good 40 cm. Potatoes are fairly undemanding when it comes to soil. The looser the soil, the more bountiful the harvest. When the shoots are 15-20 cm long, use a hoe to pull up more loose soil and cover the shoots so that only the tips are visible. This hilling up has a positive effect on the development of the tubers and prevents them from turning green due to exposure to light. Repeat this process about three times. The harvest will finally take about three months for early varieties and four for late varieties.
Even easier…
...can be grown in tall tubs, old barrels, or large plastic or jute sacks. First, fill in about 20 cm of soil. Arrange three tubers in a triangle in a 50 cm diameter container. Sacks can be easily adapted for hilling by rolling up and down the edges.
