Growing potatoes in Kansas can be a great way to get a tasty, nutritious vegetable for your family. Potatoes are a cool-weather crop and can be planted early in the spring once the ground has thawed and warmed up. When selecting potatoes, look for varieties with higher yields and disease resistance, as Kansas is prone to high humidity and disease.
Plant your potatoes in well-drained, sunny areas with fertile soil and plenty of organic matter. Make sure to keep the soil moist and fertilize regularly. While the plants are growing, you’ll need to hoe and cultivate the soil to keep weeds down. Once the potatoes are ready to harvest, you can easily dig them up by hand. With the right care and maintenance, you can enjoy a successful potato harvest in Kansas.
State’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Kansas is a state that experiences a wide range of climates due to its location in the central United States. Growing zones 5 through 7 encompass the majority of the state, and the climate in these zones is largely dictated by the continental climate of the region. In growing zones 5 through 7, summers tend to be hot and humid with temperatures often reaching into the 90s. Winters are cold with temperatures dropping below freezing for prolonged periods.
Snowfall is common in these areas and can last from late November through early March. Rainfall is scarce during the summer months and can be highly variable from year to year. However, the region does get an average of about 33 inches of precipitation each year. This region also experiences strong winds and occasional tornadoes during the spring and summer months. Overall, the climate of growing zones 5 through 7 of Kansas is hot and humid in the summer and cold and dry in the winter.
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When selecting seed potatoes for growing in Kansas, 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 Kansas 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 Kansas
In Kansas, potatoes are usually planted in late April or early May, when the soil has reached a temperature of at least 55°F. This is typically when the danger of frost has passed and when the soil is warm and moist enough for the potatoes to start to grow. Planting potatoes too early can cause them to rot in cold, wet soil while planting too late can cause the plants to struggle in the hot summer sun. The planting dates for potatoes in Kansas are:
- Zone 5: Around April 15th
- Zone 6: Around April 7th
- Zone 7: Around March 24th
How To Plant Potatoes In Kansas
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 Kansas
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 be 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.
