Alabama’s long growing season allows gardeners to attempt two distinct potato crops annually. While the spring planting is the primary focus, a second, smaller harvest is possible in the fall. Successful potato cultivation depends less on a specific calendar date and more on ensuring the soil temperature promotes healthy tuber development. Understanding the specific timing and preparation for each season is paramount to achieving a bountiful yield.
Spring Planting Timing and Preparation
The main potato crop should be planted relatively early in the year, generally between late February and the end of March. Planting time depends on your location, with southern regions often starting earlier than northern parts. The goal is to establish tubers before the intense summer heat arrives, which can stunt growth and harm the crop.
The most reliable indicator for planting is the soil temperature, which should consistently measure between 45°F and 65°F at a depth of four inches. Many growers target 55°F as the optimal point for planting to encourage germination without the risk of the seed potatoes rotting in cold, wet ground. Before planting, prepare seed potatoes by cutting larger tubers into pieces, ensuring each piece contains at least one or two “eyes” (sprouts).
These cut pieces should be allowed to “cure” for three to five days in a warm, dry location out of direct sunlight. This curing process forms a protective callus over the cut surface, which helps prevent rotting once placed in the soil. Working compost or other organic matter into the soil before planting provides necessary nutrients and improves the loose, well-draining environment potatoes favor for tuber formation.
Fall Planting for a Second Harvest
Planting a second crop is a higher-risk endeavor due to the challenge of mid-summer heat, but it is typically scheduled for late July through mid-August. This timing allows the plants to mature during the cooler conditions of autumn before the first hard frost arrives. The primary consideration for this summer planting is using fresh, certified seed potatoes, ideally those with a short rest period, such as the Triumph variety.
Planting during a period of high heat requires careful attention to soil moisture to encourage sprouting. High temperatures can cause heat necrosis, resulting in internal discoloration and poor quality in the developing tubers. Because of these factors, some agricultural specialists caution against attempting a fall potato crop due to unreliable yields and quality issues. Gardeners attempting a fall crop should ensure immediate and consistent irrigation after planting to mitigate the effects of hot soil.
Essential Care from Planting to Harvest
Once the seed potatoes are in the ground, consistent maintenance is required to maximize the harvest. Potatoes are moisture-sensitive, requiring about one to two inches of water per week, especially after the plants begin to flower and tubers start to form. Maintaining even moisture is important, as irregular watering can lead to misshapen or cracked potatoes.
“Hilling” is a necessary practice performed as the potato plants grow. This involves mounding soil or mulch around the base of the stems, covering the lower leaves. Hilling serves the dual purpose of increasing yield by providing more space for tubers to form and preventing developing potatoes from being exposed to sunlight. Sunlight exposure causes tubers to turn green, indicating the presence of the natural toxin solanine.
Harvest timing is signaled by the plant’s life cycle, specifically when the foliage begins to yellow and die back. For the main crop, this typically occurs in late spring or early summer. After the vines have completely died down, wait about a week before digging to allow the potato skins to set, which improves their storage life.