Potatoes are a common root vegetable in people's daily lives. They prefer a mild and humid climate, and the suitable growing temperature is usually between 15 and 20 degrees Celsius. Let's learn about when is the best time to plant potatoes.
When is the best time to plant potatoes?
The climate varies in different regions of my country, so the sowing time also varies. The sowing time is not fixed. Germination and growth can only occur when the soil surface temperature reaches 5-8℃. Sowing and planting can only be carried out when the temperature meets the growth requirements.
The timing of potato planting depends on the temperature. Spring planting is best done in March or April, autumn planting in September or October, and winter planting in December or January.
Potato growing conditions
1. Soil requirements
Potato tubers require deep, loose, well-aerated, and moderately water-retentive sandy soil or light sandy loam for growth. Heavy clay soil with poor aeration and permeability, or low-lying, poorly drained, damp land, is not suitable for planting.
2. Temperature requirements
After planting, tubers begin to sprout at a soil temperature of 5-7℃ at a depth of 10 cm. If the temperature remains consistently low at 5-10℃ after planting, sprout growth will be inhibited, making emergence difficult and potentially resulting in undeveloped tubers. At a soil temperature of 10-20℃, sprouts emerge quickly, with the optimal temperature for development being 13-18℃. The optimal temperature for stem and leaf growth is 17-21℃, with a minimum of 7℃. When the average daily temperature reaches 25-27℃, growth is affected, with increased respiration, decreased photosynthesis, and increased transpiration. When the average daily temperature exceeds 29℃, excessive respiration delays tuber formation, and stolons may even emerge from the ground and become above-ground stems. The suitable temperature for tuber enlargement is 16-19℃; above 20℃, tuber growth slows, and stops at around 30℃. Seedlings will freeze at -2 to -1℃, and plants will die below -4℃.
