Growing Guide
How to Grow Potatoes
A complete, definitive, simple, and free guide to growing large quantities of potatoes in your own yard.
Potato Germination
Minimum SoilTemperature: 45° F
Ideal Soil Temperature: 60°F to 70°F
Maximum Soil Temperature: 90° F
Average Days to Emerge: 18-45
Days to Harvest: 60 to 130
Root growth can occur at soil temperatures between 50°F and 95°F; however, it will be most active between 60°F and 70°F.
Leaf and vine growth can occur at soil temperatures between 45°F and 85°F, but they do best at temperatures between 70°F and 80°F.
Fertilizer for Potatoes
When to Fertilize Potatoes: Fertilize prior to planting and then again once the plants are about 6 to 8 inches tall. This is usually around 30 to 40 days after planting depending on the weather.
How to Fertilize: Side dress plants with 1 tsp of blood meal, 1 tsp of bone meal, and 1 Tbsp of langbeinite. Water after fertilizing.
Do not overfertilize, Potatoes are really easy to overfertilize and can cause plants to yellow or wilt. Also, avoid fertilizing during peak heat.
How Long Does It Take Potatoes to Germinate
An experiment with planting depth, soil temperatures, and potato germination.
![Potato Fertilizer [What Works and What Doesn’t]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6424acea596790602d5e9787/f1caf5e5-ea39-4a8c-a017-072f5bb7a9d9/Potato+Fertilizer.png)
