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One of the rules for a great crop of potatoes is simple…
Give them plenty of water.
However, too much water could cause dire problems, too, and you could lose most of your crop.
So how much water is too much, and how often is watering necessary?
It sounds complicated, I know!
However, we’re going to break this down into three simple stages; all you have to do is identify each stage of growth, follow our advice, and watch your potato plants thrive!
How Often Should You Water Potato Plants As They Grow?
Plants require water in order to grow, thrive, and produce fruit; and I don’t have to tell you what will happen when you fail to water them.
With potatoes, you want to ensure that the soil is moist at all times. Unlike other crops that may need an opportunity to dry out some, potatoes need moist soil. They are a cool weather crop that enjoys springlike weather; this means plenty of rain showers!
Ensure that the plants receive between 1 and 2 inches of water per week so that the plants always have dampened soil. Two thorough soaks per week should be sufficient for your potato bed, as long as your bed isn’t a largely sandy loam.
The total amount of water required will depend on the season, high temperatures, humidity, and the soil type. Since some soils are better at retaining water than others (clay, for example), potatoes may require less watering in those soils.
Watering During Flowering, Tuber Set, and Maturation
Tubers begin to form as the potato plant grows. At the flowering stage, you should begin to water the potato plants more heavily, ensuring that they receive adequate water for potato production.
Once the flowers are in full bloom, you know that the tubers are beginning to grow in size relatively quickly. At this point, try watering 4 times per week thoroughly (rather than soaking).
By watering in this way, you will keep the plants well watered and encourage excellent tuber production, but you will also avoid leaving the plants with wet feet, which may contribute to fungal infections or tuber rot if the water sits for too long.
This watering should be kept up until the potato plants begin to turn yellow and wilt. At this point, the potatoes no longer need watering.
The Final Stage: Withholding Water
As the plants wither and change color, you want to stop watering and try to prevent the potatoes from being exposed to additional water. This stage allows the potatoes to cure, and will last between 1 and 2 weeks.
If possible, cover the bed with a breathable, waterproof tarp that will allow some light in during the final week of curing. This is most beneficial in areas with heavy clay soil, which may never dry out.
This curing process will toughen the skins of the potato tubers, giving the the ability to store very well for months to come. Excess water could slow this process, or cause rot in extremely wet conditions.
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