Does anyone have tips for getting a bigger harvest? This is my second try, and the results are still underwhelming.
Did you try mounding the soil around the plants as they grew?
Val said:
Did you try mounding the soil around the plants as they grew?
Yes, I did mound the soil around them. I even used a high potash fertilizer every two weeks like it said in the guide, but I’m still getting the same small harvest.
@Nori
It might be a nitrogen issue. If the soil has too much nitrogen, it could cause more leaf growth and fewer potatoes. Maybe check the NPK levels and the pH of your soil?
Val said:
@Nori
It might be a nitrogen issue. If the soil has too much nitrogen, it could cause more leaf growth and fewer potatoes. Maybe check the NPK levels and the pH of your soil?
That’s a good idea, I’ll look into it. Thanks for the suggestion!
@Nori
Hope it works out for you next year! If nitrogen is an issue, you could try growing them in straw instead of soil. It’s an interesting method, and some people say it gives good results. Happy gardening!
At this rate, I’m getting one potato for every day of the week. 
Was there a lot of leafy growth? Maybe add more potash and phosphorus to boost root and tuber growth.
Iman said:
Was there a lot of leafy growth? Maybe add more potash and phosphorus to boost root and tuber growth.
Yes, there was tons of leaf growth! By the time I finished earthing, only three plants poked through the soil. We get a lot of rain here in the UK, so maybe that didn’t help? I used a high potash fertilizer every two weeks as suggested.
Are these from potato seeds? They remind me of some Peruvian varieties I’ve seen.
Dallas said:
Are these from potato seeds? They remind me of some Peruvian varieties I’ve seen.
They’re an organic variety from South Africa that’s sold in UK stores.
Dallas said:
Are these from potato seeds? They remind me of some Peruvian varieties I’ve seen.
They’re an organic variety from South Africa that’s sold in UK stores.
You might want to save them and replant. Sometimes small tubers get bigger over generations. I’ve been growing potatoes from true seeds, and the first ones were tiny—like the size of a pearl. I’m hoping next year’s crop will be bigger. You might have to wait a few years for a good harvest.
@Dallas
Thanks, I’ll replant them once they sprout good eyes. Are there specific varieties that give better yields? I’m still new to this and love learning from others.
Nori said:
@Dallas
Thanks, I’ll replant them once they sprout good eyes. Are there specific varieties that give better yields? I’m still new to this and love learning from others.
I’m still learning too! This is my first year growing non-North American varieties, so I can only share advice I’ve picked up from others.
@Dallas
Good to know I’m not alone as a beginner. Any advice is welcome!
Dallas said:
Are these from potato seeds? They remind me of some Peruvian varieties I’ve seen.
They’re an organic variety from South Africa that’s sold in UK stores.
I’ve also learned that some of these potatoes only start growing tubers in the fall when the days are shorter. The advice I got was to wait until the plant completely dies back, then give it another 2-4 weeks before harvesting.
@Dallas
That’s interesting. My plants did die back, but I only waited a week because it’s frosty here now, and I didn’t want them to rot. Some of the potatoes I dug up were already mushy.
Nori said:
@Dallas
That’s interesting. My plants did die back, but I only waited a week because it’s frosty here now, and I didn’t want them to rot. Some of the potatoes I dug up were already mushy.
Ah, yes, frost can be tricky! Where I live, we’ve just started getting light frosts. I’ve mulched my beds to protect them.
I’m not an expert, but I keep adding mulch over my potatoes as they grow and cover them up as much as I can. When the tops turn brown, I know they’re ready. I usually end up with more than seven potatoes. 
@Haru
Do you have any pictures of the size of your potatoes?