Potatoes are a great crop to grow in North Dakota , as the climate and soil provide an ideal environment for successful white potato farming . The state ’s long , stale winters and short , fond summer allow perfect weather condition for growing potatoes . North Dakota also has some of the most fecund filth in the country , provide the perfect environs for potatoes to grow in . Potato farmer in North Dakota are able to take advantage of the country ’s abundant body of water sources and the skillful semen available , ensue in a gamy yield of timbre tater . Growing potatoes in North Dakota is a outstanding way to take advantage of the State Department ’s natural resource and produce a unspoilt crop for sale .
North Dakota’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Zone 2b experiences the coldest temperatures in North Dakota , with average humbled temperatures in the winter dipping below -20 degree F ( -29 C ) . This zona experiences foresighted , moth-eaten winters and short , coolheaded summertime , with temperatures seldom exceeding 75 degrees F ( 24 C ) .
zona 3a experiences slightly warmer temperatures than geographical zone 2b , with average broken temperature in the wintertime dipping between -20 and -10 degrees F ( -29 to -23 C ) . This zona experiences recollective , frigid winters and short , warm summers , with temperature regularly reaching up to 80 degrees F ( 27 C ) .
Zone 3b experiences warmer temperature , with intermediate low-spirited temperature in the wintertime dipping between -10 and 0 level F ( -23 to -18 C ) . This zone live cold winters and fond summers , with temperatures on a regular basis reaching up to 85 degrees F ( 29 C ) .
Zone 4a experience balmy temperatures , with average low temperature in the winter dipping between 0 and 10 degree F ( -18 to -12 C ) . This zone experiences stale wintertime and warm summer , with temperature regularly reaching up to 90 degrees F ( 32 C ) .
Zone 5a experiences warmer temperature , with average modest temperature in the winter dipping between 10 and 20 degrees F ( -12 to -7 C ) . This zone experiences mild winters and blistering summers , with temperature regularly arrive at up to 95 degree F ( 35 C ) .
Zone 6a get the warm temperatures in North Dakota , with average low temperature in the winter dipping between 20 and 30 degree F ( -7 to -1 coulomb ) . This zone experiences soft wintertime and hot summer , with temperature regularly reaching up to 100 stage F ( 38 C ) .
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When take come potatoes for grow in North Dakota , it is important to be mindful of the kind ’s days to harvest and the length of clip you have before you want to reap them .
other - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Yukon Gold ’ and ‘ Red Norland ’ have fewer solar day to glean and should be planted as soon as possible for harvesting in recent summer .
Mid - time of year varietiessuch as ‘ Russet Burbank ’ and ‘ Kennebec ’ have more days to reap and should be planted in late April or former May for harvest in fall .
Late - season varietiessuch as ‘ Cara Russet ’ and ‘ All blue-blooded ’ have the most days to harvest and should be planted in late April or other May for harvest in early winter . Be sure to pick out multifariousness with the right phone number of days to harvest for your intended crop date . Some right potato form for North Dakota admit :
When To Plant Potatoes In North Dakota
Potatoes are good planted in North Dakota in ahead of time to mid - April . Planting potatoes in other April allows them to take reward of the quick temperature and long days of sunshine . Planting later in the spring may lead in smaller takings due to cooler temperature and shorter days .
How To Plant Potatoes In North Dakota
Begin the planting outgrowth for seed potatoes by tilling the grunge to a depth of 8 inches and incorporating constitutive compost . Once you have done this , find a sunny location that receives at least 8 hour of direct sun and place the seed potatoes .
Plant the source potatoes with the “ eye ” facing up , leaving a length of 8 to 10 inches in between each . pass over the seed potatoes with a bed of soil that is 3 - 4 inches duncish , and check that to water them adequately . As the spud take off to sprout , impart more ground to the row to keep them adequately buried .
irrigate the potatoes on a regular basis and transfer any weeds from the area . For those dwell in hot and ironic clime , you may want to traverse the soil around the potatoes with straw , although this is not crucial .
Caring For Potato Plants
Caring for potato plants is moderately well-situated – they ’re fantastically hardy and more often than not no - fuss . Potato plant life need full sun and well - drained soil to thrive . They should be watered deeply and on a regular basis , allow the soil to dry out between lacrimation .
Fertilizing is also of import for optimal growth . white potato vine plants need a balanced fertilizer with equal role nitrogen , phosphorus , and K . This should be applied every four to six weeks , depending on the soil ’s nutrient content .
It is also important to keep the territory evenly moist , as potatoes do not tolerate dry or waterlogged shape . Mulching around the Solanum tuberosum plants can assist retain moisture and reduce pot .
When To Harvest Potatoes In North Dakota
There are two trusted way to bed your potatoes are aboutready to harvest!The first is counting backwards from your current date to their planting date . Potato varieties have an approximate identification number of 24-hour interval to harvest , so consult the days to harvest for the particular variety of potatoes you ’ve planted . If you are n’t sure , assume it ’s around 100 days .
The coming into court of your potato plants is another dead giveaway . You will know your white potato are ready to harvest when the leafage begins to bend yellow and die back . Your plants will go through an entire flowering cycle , which is gracious because the flowers are really beautiful .
Allow the grime around the works to dry before harvest home , but do n’t allow it to be ironic for too long . Once harvest , inspect the murphy carefully- they should be firm and free of immature or sonant spots .
Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden fork , taking guardianship not to damage the tater in the cognitive operation . Once the potatoes have all been dug up , brush off any excess dirt and inspect them for any price . Discard any murphy that are damaged , as these are not desirable for long - term storage .
in conclusion , gently place the tater in a cool , teetotal , and dark area for entrepot . It is crucial to only lay in undamaged tater , as damaged Solanum tuberosum can quickly rot .
