Growing potatoes in Alabama can be a great way to provide your family with fresh, healthy potatoes year-round. The hot and humid climate of Alabama is ideal for growing potatoes, and the soil is perfect for potatoes as well. Potatoes can be planted in the spring and harvested in the fall. To get the best yield, it is important to use certified seed potatoes and to space the plants out properly. Adding compost to the soil will help ensure a healthy crop. With some patience and care, growing potatoes in Alabama can be a rewarding experience.
Alabama’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Alabama has a variety of climates depending on the region. Growing zones 7b through 8b are generally located in the southern and central parts of the state and experience a humid subtropical climate. Spring and summer months are often hot and humid, with temperatures typically rising above 80°F and some days seeing temperatures as high as 90°F or more.
Winters are mild with temperatures rarely dropping below freezing. Rainfall is plentiful throughout the year with an average of over 56 inches per year. Typically, temperatures in these zones will rarely drop below 0°F or rise above 100°F. This climate is ideal for a variety of plants and trees, making it a great place to garden and cultivate outdoor areas.
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting seed potatoes for growing in Alabama, it is important to be mindful of the variety’s days to harvest and the length of time you have before you want to harvest them.
Early-season varieties such as ‘Yukon Gold’ and ‘Red Norland’ have fewer days to harvest and should be planted as soon as possible for harvesting in late summer.
Mid-season varieties such as ‘Russet Burbank’ and ‘Kennebec’ have more days to harvest and should be planted in late April or early May for harvesting in fall.
Late-season varieties such as ‘Cara Russet’ and ‘All Blue’ have the most days to harvest and should be planted in late April or early May for harvesting in early winter. Be sure to select varieties with the right number of days to harvest for your intended harvest date. Some good potato varieties for Alabama include:
- Russet Potatoes: 85-95 days
- Yukon Gold Potatoes: 90-110 days
- Red Potatoes: 80-90 days
- Purple Potatoes: 90-110 days
- Fingerling Potatoes: 90-120 days
- Sweet Potatoes: 90-120 days
- White Potatoes: 90-100 days
- All-Blue Potatoes: 95-105 days
- Yellow Finn Potatoes: 85-95 days
- Kennebec Potatoes: 85-95 days
When To Plant Potatoes In Alabama
In Alabama, potatoes should be planted in early to mid-March, when the soil temperature is between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is typically when the last frost occurs, ensuring that your potatoes will be able to survive the cold winter. Potatoes are a cool-season crop and should be planted as soon as the temperatures begin to rise in the springtime. Those planting dates are:
- Zone 7: Around March 24th
- Zone 8: Around March 14th
How To Plant Potatoes In Alabama
Begin the planting process for seed potatoes by tilling the soil to a depth of 8 inches and incorporating organic compost. Once you have done this, find a sunny location that receives at least 8 hours of direct sunlight and place the seed potatoes.
Plant the seed potatoes with the “eyes” facing upward, leaving a distance of 8 to 10 inches in between each. Cover the seed potatoes with a layer of soil that is 3-4 inches thick, and make sure to water them adequately. As the potatoes start to sprout, add more soil to the rows to keep them adequately buried.
Water the potatoes on a regular basis and remove any weeds from the area. For those living in hot and dry climates, you may want to cover the soil around the potatoes with straw, although this is not essential.
Caring For Potato Plants
Caring for potato plants is pretty easy – they’re incredibly hardy and generally no-fuss. Potato plants need full sun and well-drained soil to thrive. They should be watered deeply and regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizing is also important for optimal growth. Potato plants need a balanced fertilizer with equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. This should be applied every four to six weeks, depending on the soil’s nutrient content.
It is also important to keep the soil evenly moist, as potatoes do not tolerate dry or waterlogged conditions. Mulching around the potato plants can help retain moisture and reduce weeds.
When To Harvest Potatoes In Alabama
There are two sure ways to know your potatoes are about ready to harvest! The first is counting backward from your current date to their planting date. Potato varieties have an approximate number of days to harvest, so consult the days to harvest for the particular variety of potatoes you’ve planted. If you aren’t sure, assume it’s around 100 days.
The appearance of your potato plants is another dead giveaway. You will know your potatoes are ready to harvest when the foliage begins to turn yellow and die back. Your plants will go through an entire flowering cycle, which is nice because the flowers are really beautiful.
Allow the soil around the plants to dry before harvesting, but don’t allow it to dry for too long. Once harvested, inspect the potatoes carefully- they should be firm and free of green or soft spots.
Carefully dig up the potatoes with a garden fork, taking care not to damage the potatoes in the process. Once the potatoes have all been dug up, brush off any excess soil and inspect them for any damage. Discard any potatoes that are damaged, as these are not suitable for long-term storage.
Finally, gently place the potatoes in a cool, dry, and dark area for storage. It is important to only store undamaged potatoes, as damaged potatoes can quickly rot.
