Editing Potato (section)

=== Phases of growth ===

Potato growth can be divided into five phases. During the first phase, sprouts emerge from the seed potatoes and root growth begins. During the second, [[photosynthesis]] begins as the plant develops leaves and branches above-ground and [[stolon]]s develop from lower leaf [[axil]]s on the below-ground stem. In the third phase the tips of the stolons swell, forming new [[tubers]], and the shoots continue to grow, with flowers typically developing soon after. Tuber bulking occurs during the fourth phase, when the plant begins investing the majority of its resources in its newly formed tubers. At this phase, several factors are critical to a good yield: optimal [[soil moisture]] and temperature, soil nutrient availability and balance, and resistance to [[Pest (organism) |pest attacks]]. The fifth phase is the maturation of the tubers: the leaves and stems senesce and the tuber skins harden.<ref>{{cite web |title=Potatoes Home Garden |url=https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/lawn-and-garden/potatoes-home-garden/ |access-date=14 August 2019 |website=sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu |publisher=UF/IFAS Extension}}</ref><ref name="JefferiesLawson1991">{{cite journal |last1=Jefferies |first1=R. A. |last2=Lawson |first2=H. M. |year=1991 |title=A key for the stages of development of potato (''Solanum tuberosum'')<!--- Mis-scanned in electronic versions as "Solatium". Print copies show the correct "Solanum". ---> |journal=[[Annals of Applied Biology]] |volume=119 |issue=2 |pages=387–399 |doi=10.1111/j.1744-7348.1991.tb04879.x |issn=0003-4746}}</ref>

New tubers may start growing at the surface of the soil. Since exposure to light leads to an undesirable greening of the skins and the development of [[solanine]] as a protection from the sun's rays, growers cover surface tubers. Commercial growers cover them by piling additional soil around the base of the plant as it grows (called "hilling" up, or in British English "earthing up"). An alternative method, used by home gardeners and smaller-scale growers, involves covering the growing area with [[mulch]]es such as straw or plastic sheets.<ref name="cornell1">{{cite web |title=Growing Potatoes in the Home Garden |url=http://suffolk-lamp.cit.cornell.edu/assets/Horticulture-Leaflets/Growing-Potatoes-in-the-Home-Garden.pdf |access-date=27 June 2010 |publisher=[[Cornell University]]{{NBSP}}[[Cooperative extension service |Extension Service]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516020007/http://suffolk-lamp.cit.cornell.edu/assets/Horticulture-Leaflets/Growing-Potatoes-in-the-Home-Garden.pdf |archive-date=16 May 2011}}</ref>

At farm scale, potatoes require a well-drained neutral or mildly acidic soil ([[pH]] 6 or 7) such as a sandy [[loam]]. The soil is prepared using deep tillage, for example with a [[chisel plow]] or ripper. In areas where irrigation is needed, the field is leveled using a landplane so that water can be supplied evenly. Manure can be added after initial irrigation; the soil is then broken up with a [[disc harrow]]. The potatoes are planted using a [[potato planter]] machine in rows {{convert|80|cm|in}} apart.<ref>{{cite web |title=Potato Production |url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pnadz110.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170227212730/http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pnadz110.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 February 2017 |publisher=USAID |pages=2–21 |access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref> At garden scale, potatoes are planted in trenches or individual holes some {{convert|15|cm|in}} deep in soil, preferably with additional organic matter such as garden compost or manure. Alternatively, they can be planted in containers or bags filled with a free-draining compost.<ref name="RHS planting">{{cite web |title=How to grow potatoes: Planting |url=https://www.rhs.org.uk/vegetables/potatoes/grow-your-own |publisher=[[Royal Horticultural Society]] |access-date=4 June 2024}}</ref>
Potatoes are sensitive to heavy [[frost]]s, which damage them in the ground or when stored.<ref>{{cite web |title=Potatoes |url=https://www.nsalg.org.uk/crop/potatoes/ |publisher=The National Allotment Society |access-date=5 May 2024}}</ref>

<gallery class=center mode=nolines widths=180 heights=180>
File:Planting Potatoes.jpg|Planting
File:Tractors in Potato Field.jpg|Field in [[Fort Fairfield, Maine]]
File:Potato plants.jpg|Immature potato plants
File:Potato bag cultivation.JPG|Potatoes grown in a tall bag are common in gardens as they minimize digging.
</gallery>