Potatoes Rouge des Flandres

Planting: Potatoes need a light, deep, and rich soil. Choose a sunny location. Add well-rotted compost in the previous autumn, by scratching it to a depth of 5 cm (2in), after loosening the soil. Planting takes place under shelter in February-March for early varieties. For other varieties, plant them from mid-March to May depending on the climate. Wait until the soil is at least 10°C (50°F). The flowering of lilac is often a sign to start planting. Plant several varieties in your vegetable garden to vary the pleasures!

Loosen the soil deeply and form rows 10 cm (4in) deep, spaced 70 cm (28in) apart. Place the tubers, sprouts facing upwards, every 40 cm (16in) or 30 cm (12in) for early varieties. Cover with fine soil. When the plants reach 15 cm (6in), mound up by bringing fine soil to the base of the stems, to a height of 20 cm (8in). Mounding up will promote the formation of tubers and water drainage. You can mound them up again a month later. Mulch at the base of the plants with thin successive layers of grass clippings mixed if possible with dead leaves. This protection, which keeps the soil moist, also limits weed growth.

Potato cultivation does not require watering, except in case of extreme heat. In that case, water the base of the plant without wetting the foliage to prevent the onset of fungal diseases.

Diseases and pests: Potatoes, like tomatoes, are susceptible to blight. This is a fungal disease caused by the Phytophthora infestans fungus. Blight develops in warm and humid weather. Small spots appear, white on the underside of the leaves and brown on the top. As a preventive measure, here are some tips to limit the risk of blight:

• Do not grow several plants of the Solanaceae family (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, chili peppers, etc.) on adjacent rows, as they are susceptible to the same diseases.

• In terms of crop rotation, wait 4 years before growing another Solanaceae plant in the same location.

• Space the plants, both within and between rows, to promote air circulation and prevent rapid disease spread.

• If you need to water, do not wet the foliage.

Harvest can also be affected by the Colorado potato beetle, a beetle of the order Coleoptera. You will recognise it by its yellow head and its yellow and black striped body. The best solution, although a bit time-consuming, is to remove them as they appear. As a preventive measure, sow blue flax seeds between your rows of potatoes. Sow from April to June in shallow furrows. Besides its repellent effect against Colorado potato beetles, flax will brighten up your vegetable garden with its pretty little blue flowers. You can also interplant peas between your rows of potatoes.

Other planting methods: The detailed planting method above is the most common. Other methods exist, such as mulch planting and tower planting.

Mulch planting involves placing the tubers on the ground and covering them with a layer of mulch. This protection is added as the plant grows, ensuring that the tubers are always protected from light.

Tower planting or sack planting is practical for small spaces but requires regular watering. The tower can be constructed from various materials (wood, wire mesh, sack, tires, etc.). The tubers are placed on a bed of potting soil or compost. As the plant grows, it is covered with potting soil, leaving only the topmost leaves exposed, and so on until the top of the tower, allowing the tubers to form throughout the height of the container. Harvest when the foliage has withered.