Tip 1: Plant potatoes at the right time to increase potato yield at home
What is the best time to plant potatoes?
The success of a potato crop depends on when you plant them. If the timing is wrong, all that hard work can go to waste. Potatoes are part of the nightshade family, like tomatoes and eggplants, and they are very sensitive to cold and frost. But there is a trick—we plant potatoes 6 inches deep, allowing you to plant them 2-3 weeks before the last frost date.Why? Because potatoes take 3-4 weeks to establish roots and emerge from the ground. During this time, a light frost does not harm them, as they are protected in warm soil.
If the plant comes out early? No worries! Just put a layer of compost or mulch on it, which will protect it from frost.
Benefits of planting potatoes early
In warm and humid areas, pests and diseases increase in summer. If you plant potatoes in March, the crop will be ready by May or June, before pests and diseases bother you.Learning from personal experience
My experience: I live in the coastal area of North Carolina, where pests and diseases are rampant in the summer. By planting potatoes in March, I get a harvest before June, and I have never had to use pesticides. Planting potatoes on time is the first and most important answer to the question of how to increase potato yields at home.Tip 2: Choose good quality potatoes
Why is it important to choose the right potatoes?
Growing potatoes is pretty easy—just take a sprouted potato and plant it 6 inches deep. But choosing the right potatoes is important. Many new gardeners end up buying expensive seed potatoes from big-box stores that are small, damaged, and shriveled. Avoid this!Where to buy?
What to do? Buy potatoes from your local grocery store. They are cheap and good. I bought a pound and a half of mixed potatoes from Trader Joe’s for $3 that have already sprouted.
Organic vs. regular potatoes
Organic or regular? Some regular potatoes are sprayed with a germination-inhibiting chemical, so if you want quick sprouts, get organic potatoes. But if you have time, regular potatoes will sprout too.How to prepare before planting?
How to prepare? Place the potatoes in a cool, dark place. In a month they will sprout, and be ready to plant.My suggestion
My suggestion: If you don't need a specific variety, then buy whatever is cheap and good. For me, a potato is a potato!
👉 Choosing the right seed potato is a small step, but it forms the second strong pillar of the process of "how to increase potato yield at home".
Tip 3: Potatoes in the ground or in pots—which is better?
The decision to grow potatoes depends on your space and preferences. If you want to know how to grow potatoes in pots, both have their advantages:- Advantages of growing potatoes in the ground
- If you have a large garden, growing in the ground can yield a bigger crop. The roots get enough space to spread out, which increases the yield.
Advantages of growing in pots
Growing in pots: If you have limited space, like me, pots or grow bags are best. I grow potatoes in pots because:- It prevents plant diseases like tomatoes and eggplants.
- Harvesting is easy—just turn the pot over and collect the potatoes.
- No digging up the ground, which protects the soil.
👉 The right choice of place gives a direct answer to the question of how to increase potato yield at home.
Tip 4: Use fertilizers correctly – the secret to increasing potato yield
Why do potatoes need a lot of nutrition?
Potatoes are heavy feeders. If you give less fertilizer, the yield will also be less. So listen, if you don’t like to apply fertilizer, then growing potatoes is not for you. But if you are ready, here is my formula:Which fertilizer to use?
I add two types of fertilizers:- Organic all-purpose fertilizer (NPK 5-5-5 or 5-3-3): This gives general nutrition to the plant.
- Bone meal: This is rich in phosphorus and calcium, which is essential for the roots and tubers of potatoes.
How to apply fertilizer
- Mix fertilizer in the soil before planting.
- Every two weeks, add some fertilizer on top of the pot or garden, so that the plant gets continuous nutrition.
What to do in the rain?
Special tip: If growing in pots and it rains a lot, add water-soluble fertilizer (like 20-20-20) every two weeks. Rain can wash away the fertilizer from pots.My method: I mix one cup of all-purpose fertilizer and half a cup of bone meal. I add this before planting and every two weeks after. This makes my potatoes bigger and tastier! If you are wondering how to increase potato yield, then definitely adopt this method.
👉 If you know how to nourish potatoes, then understand that you have covered half of the way to "how to increase potato yield at home".
Tip 5: Hilling or not?
Many people believe that hilling around the stem of a potato plant produces more potatoes because roots form on the stem. But in my experience, this does not always work.- Growers in the ground: If you have a large garden, hill it. This keeps the plants strong and can produce more potatoes in some varieties.
- Growers in pots: No hilling is needed in pots. I grew potatoes in pots for many years, and the potatoes always formed in the soil at the bottom. Hilling the pot repeatedly takes up space and prevents the roots from going deep.
My method: I place the potatoes on the surface of the pot and add 6 inches of compost on top. This allows the roots to go deep and I get a good crop.
👉 If you know when to hill, then you have another secret of "how to increase potato production at home" in your hands.
Tip 6: Timing Compost and Mulch
How to apply compost?
Planting potatoes in compost is a must, but know the right time to mulch. I use organic mushroom compost or homemade compost. Add 6 inches of compost before planting. Do this in two steps:- First add half the compost and manure mixture.
- Then add the rest of the compost and cover the potatoes.
When to add mulch?
Don’t add mulch immediately after planting. Let the soil stay warm initially so that the potatoes germinate quickly. Mulch traps cold and moisture, which can be harmful in the beginning.Add mulch when the plant grows 6 inches. This keeps the soil moist, prevents weeds, and strengthens the roots.
Which mulch to use?
Use natural mulches like pine bark, straw, or grass clippings (seed-free).Don’t add colored mulches, rubber mulches, or stones.
👉 It is also important to understand the balance of fertilizer and mulch if you really want to know how to increase potato yield at home.
Tip 7: Water wisely
Potatoes need moisture, but too much water can cause them to rot.- How much water? Keep the soil slightly moist. Too wet soil can cause potatoes to rot.
- What to do? If heavy rain is expected, cover the pots with a tarp. Once the plants have established roots, continue to water normally.
- My suggestion: I water lightly every 2-3 days, and cover the pots during rainy weather.
