April is the ideal time to plant potatoes. How do you do it?

April is already in full swing, and so should potato planting. After all, April is the month of potatoes. Proper potato planting in April is crucial for the overall harvest. Naturally, everyone wants the best harvest possible. The most important thing is to gauge when the soil temperature is suitable. Potatoes must grow naturally and steadily; any stress leads to a reduced harvest and means we won’t find many tubers beneath the foliage. So how do you know when the soil is ready? How do you plant potatoes correctly? We’ll reveal that and much more in the following paragraphs.

How do we know when the soil is ready?

By several indicators. The first is undoubtedly soil temperature. It should remain stable between 7–8 °C. It certainly shouldn’t be waterlogged. When you simply squeeze it in your hand, it shouldn’t be mushy and should crumble into individual pieces. If we were to plant potatoes in cold soil, they would take longer to sprout, and the risk of the tubers rotting would increase.

Photo: Radek Stepan

Pay attention to potato varieties

What is the difference between early and late varieties? Early varieties are planted first; often, the planted tubers need to be protected from the cold. On the other hand, we wait about a week to two weeks for mid-season and late varieties. Later planting under ideal conditions often yields bushier plants and, of course, a greater number of tubers.

How to plant potatoes correctly

The planting parameters are not difficult to remember. The planting depth should be between 8 and 10 cm. We maintain spacing between 30 and 35 cm. As for row spacing, it is traditionally 60 to 70 cm. Be especially careful not to plant too densely. This leads to a large amount of foliage and also to a minimum of tubers.

Photo: Radek Stepan

Do potatoes need to be protected after planting?

In April, often yes, if there is a risk of frost. For early plantings in colder regions, it’s worth covering the plot with non-woven fabric. Light mulch or hilling up the soil also works well.

What are the most common mistakes in April?

A classic mistake is planting in cold soil and trying to speed up growth with fertilizer. This is more likely to do harm.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Potatoes in April

What should you do first?

Check the soil temperature.

How deep should you plant the seed potatoes?

About 8 to 10 cm below the surface.

Is it advisable to use fertilizer?

No, the potatoes will grow just fine without it.

Sources: Author

Featured photo: Radek Stepan