I planted 2 potatoes a month ago and when do I know when they are ready to be picked?

Question

I planted them and they are growing really fast!!! thick stems and it all! Now when do I know when to pick them and how to do this??? just pull them up like carrots?????
Please explain??? as the stems are tall!!!

Answer 1

Depends on what growing zone you are in. I will assume you live in a zone right know where the weather is about 60 degrees. It should take about three or four months depending on if you want baby potatoes or full size ones. To get a better yield I would suggest you add soil to the top of the potato just covering the stem. Then let 'er grow add water and sun, maybe an organic fertilizer. They can be dug at any time after they bloom. The part of the plant above ground will probably get to be 2 or 3 feet tall.
If you live in a growing zone where the weather is cool think freezing at night then it may not finish growing until summer.

Answer 2

You are in southern US? Brother in San Antonio said he was planting somethings around thanksgiving. Here in Wisconsin we have snowballs now. But for potatoes- 1 month is still early, you have vines but the tuber develops from the roots after top leaves established. After a month growth I would be piling soil around stems about 6 inch's high to get a layer of tubers started. Another mounding a couple weeks later- mound would be about 2 foot wide and a foot high before I would dig in from side for small new potatoes- in Wisconsin this would be about 2-3 months after first leaves appear. I plant shallow to start- trench is only about hands width deep and soil cover is about 2 fingers deep. Mounding lets soil stay loose and spuds can grow easier, controls weeds.

Answer 3

The plant must first have blooms on them that is the signal that the new potatoes underground are growing.

The entire crop is ready to harvest once the tops of the plants die off. You can leave the potatoes in the ground for a few weeks longer, as long as the ground is not wet.
*********NOTE****************
First try this to see how large they are
New potatoes are small, immature potatoes. You can harvest a few of these without harm to the plant, by gently feeling around in the soil near the plant, once the plant reaches about a foot in height.
http://gardening.about.com/od/vegetables/p/Potatoes.htm

Answer 4

when thestims startdying, or wilting, that's when you can start digging them up. you don't pick them or pull them up like carrots. get on your hands and knees, dig under each plant, there should be 5 or6 potatoes under /or on the bottom of each plant. if ther real small, you can cook then in green beans or fresh green peas. or, you could wait a few weeks & dig them again, they might be a little biger then. good luck & have a happy new year. jan

Answer 5

you don't pick, you dig.
keep your soil mounded up at the base of the plants
the plants will flower and after flowering the plants will start to die back you can check potatoes at any time after plant flowers and dig them when they are at a size you like.