To plant purple Viking potatoes, there are a few steps you need to follow to ensure successful growth and a bountiful harvest. First, it is important to prepare the soil by adding compost. This will enrich the soil with nutrients and provide a healthy environment for the potatoes to thrive.
Next, create raised mounds in your garden bed or container. These mounds should have a 3-4 inch deep furrow in the center. The raised mounds help with drainage and prevent the potatoes from sitting in waterlogged soil, which can lead to rot.
Now, it’s time to space out your seed potatoes. You can either buy seed potatoes from a garden center or use potatoes that have sprouted “eyes.” Space the seed pieces about 6-12 inches apart, depending on the size of your potato variety. Make sure to place the seed pieces with their “eyes” facing up. The eyes are the small indentations or sprouts on the potato.
Once the seed potatoes are in place, cover them with soil. Make sure the soil is evenly distributed and covers the seed pieces completely. This will protect the potatoes from sunlight and encourage proper growth.
Throughout the growing season, it is important to water the potato plants regularly. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. This will provide the necessary hydration for the plants to develop.
As the potato plants grow, you may need to add more soil or mulch around the base of the plants to provide additional support and protect the developing tubers from sunlight. This process is known as “hilling.” Hilling also helps to prevent the potatoes from turning green, which can make them toxic.
In terms of sunlight, potatoes thrive in full sun, so make sure to plant them in an area that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day. This will promote healthy growth and maximize your potato yield.
When it comes to harvesting, purple Viking potatoes are typically ready to be harvested when the foliage starts to die back. Gently dig around the base of the plants and carefully remove the potatoes from the soil. Avoid using sharp tools that could accidentally damage the tubers.
Once harvested, allow the potatoes to cure for a few days in a cool, dry location. This will help the skins toughen up and improve their storage life. After curing, store the potatoes in a cool, dark place with good ventilation to prevent them from sprouting or rotting.
Planting purple Viking potatoes involves preparing the soil with compost, creating raised mounds, spacing out the seed potatoes, covering them with soil, providing regular watering, ensuring proper sunlight, hilling the plants, and harvesting and storing the potatoes correctly. By following these steps, you can enjoy a successful potato harvest and delicious purple Viking potatoes!
