Grow Potatoes in Your Survival Garden
Potatoes are a crucial staple crop for any survival garden, offering a reliable source of carbohydrates, fiber, and essential nutrients like vitamin C and potassium.
In addition to being a nutrient-dense food source, potatoes are also easy to grow and can be stored for long periods without refrigeration or preservation techniques.
How to grow potatoes in your survival garden.
- Choose the right location Potatoes prefer a sunny spot with loose, well-draining soil that is free from rocks and debris.
- Prepare the soil Before planting, loosen the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches and amend with compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil fertility.
- Plant the seed potatoes Seed potatoes are small, whole potatoes that are planted to produce new potato plants. Plant seed potatoes in furrows, trenches, or holes, 4-6 inches deep, and 12-15 inches apart.
- Water and fertilize Keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season, but be careful not to overwater, as this can cause rot. Potatoes benefit from a balanced fertilizer applied every 4-6 weeks.
- Hill the plants As the potato plants grow, they will begin to produce stems and leaves above the soil surface. When the plants are 6-8 inches tall, gently mound soil up around the stems to cover them halfway. Repeat this process every few weeks until the mounds are 12-18 inches high. This hilling technique encourages the plants to produce more tubers and helps protect them from pests and diseases.
- Harvest Potatoes are ready to harvest when the leaves and stems turn yellow and die back. Carefully dig up the tubers, being careful not to damage them. Allow the potatoes to dry for a few days before storing them in a cool, dry, dark place.
You can easily grow your own potatoes in your survival garden, ensuring a reliable source of nutrient-dense food in times of need.