Growing potatoes in Colorado is a heavy way to get a nourishing , pleasant-tasting craw . Colorado has the perfect clime for raise spud , with coolheaded nights and warm twenty-four hour period , and plenty of sunshine and moisture . Potatoes can be grown from later April through the end of October , depending on the mixture . spud expand in the Colorado soil , which is high-pitched in organic topic and well - drained .
When planting potatoes , select a spot in full Lord’s Day and excavate trenches about 8 column inch deep , adding compost to the soil for fertilizer . Water your spud plant regularly , and use mulch to help keep the filth coolheaded and moist . crop potatoes when the plants lead off to die back , typically after about three months . Colorado potatoes are a capital addition to any repast , and with the right aid , you may have a great harvest time !
Colorado’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Colorado has a divers climate with considerable variations in temperature and rain across part . turn zones 4 to 6 are place in the northern , central and eastern share of the state , and they experience inhuman winters and warm summer . Snowfall is common in the winter month , with small snowfalls occurring in the spring and fall . Precipitation is generally lower in these zones than other portion of the state . Summers are warm , with temperatures typically reaching into the mid-80s ( Fahrenheit ) during the daytime and drip to the mid-30s or lower at night . Winters are stale , with temperature often dipping below 0 ° F in the northern parts of the zone
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting seed white potato vine for growing in Colorado , it is important to be mindful of the variety show ’s twenty-four hours to crop and the length of clip you have before you want to harvest them .
former - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Yukon Gold ’ and ‘ Red Norland ’ have few days to reap and should be embed as soon as potential for harvesting in belated summer .
Mid - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Russet Burbank ’ and ‘ Kennebec ’ have more solar day to glean and should be institute in former April or former May for harvesting in fall .
Late - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Cara Russet ’ and ‘ All Blue ’ have the most mean solar day to glean and should be planted in late April or early May for harvest home in early winter . Be sure to select mixed bag with the right turn of days to harvest for your intended harvest appointment . Some good potato varieties for Colorado include :
When To Plant Potatoes In Colorado
In Colorado , potatoes should be planted in late April to early May . However , this can vary depending on the region and soil temperature . Potatoes are stale weather craw and will not do well in warm soil . Early planting is recommended for higher yields .
How To Plant Potatoes In Colorado
Begin the planting unconscious process for seed potatoes by tilling the dirt to a depth of 8 inches and contain organic compost . Once you have done this , find a cheery location that incur at least 8 hour of direct sunshine and place the seed potato .
implant the come Solanum tuberosum with the “ center ” front upwards , leaving a space of 8 to 10 inches in between each . Cover the germ potatoes with a stratum of soil that is 3 - 4 inch wooden-headed , and make certain to water them adequately . As the tater start to pullulate , add together more soil to the row to keep them adequately forget .
Water the potatoes on a steady basis and move out any widow’s weeds from the expanse . For those dwell in red-hot and dry mood , you may want to cover the filth around the potatoes with straw , although this is not essential .
Caring For Potato Plants
like for potato plant life is pretty easy – they ’re incredibly stalwart and generally no - fuss . Irish potato flora need full Dominicus and well - drained land to thrive . They should be irrigate profoundly and on a regular basis , allowing the ground to dry out between waterings .
Fertilizing is also important for optimal growth . Potato works necessitate a balanced fertilizer with equal part nitrogen , atomic number 15 , and potassium . This should be lend oneself every four to six hebdomad , calculate on the soil ’s nutrient depicted object .
It is also of import to keep the dirt evenly moist , as potatoes do not tolerate dry or waterlogged stipulation . mulch around the potato plants can help retain wet and abridge weeds .
When To Harvest Potatoes In Colorado
There are two sure ways to know your potatoes are aboutready to harvest!The first is counting backward from your current date to their planting date . Potato varieties have an approximate number of days to harvest , so consult the day to harvest for the picky form of murphy you ’ve planted . If you are n’t sure , get into it ’s around 100 daylight .
The visual aspect of your potato plants is another bushed giveaway . You will bang your potatoes are quick to reap when the foliage begins to ferment jaundiced and break down back . Your plant will go through an integral blossoming cycle , which is nice because the flowers are really beautiful .
permit the grunge around the plants to dry before harvest home , but do n’t leave it to be ironic for too long . Once harvested , inspect the potatoes carefully- they should be loyal and free of green or soft post .
Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden forking , taking care not to damage the potatoes in the process . Once the potatoes have all been get the picture up , brush off any excess soil and scrutinise them for any damage . Discard any potatoes that are damaged , as these are not worthy for long - term storage .
Finally , gently place the potatoes in a cool , dry , and dark sphere for storage . It is of import to only store undamaged potatoes , as damage potatoes can speedily decompose .
