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how potatoes grow
A good potato grower knows and understands what effect climate, soil quality,
growing seasons and geographic areas has on individual potato types. Knowledge
of the many different potato types and how they respond to these growing
conditions are essential to achieve the best possible quality and to maximise
the yield.
To ensure supply to market they are sequentially planted at approriate times
throughout the year.
Seed Potato Selection
Crop improvement programmes ensure popular varieties of potatoes are available
through the growing season. Varieties are continually evaluated to ensure
consistent quality standards in cooking use, taste, texture and keeping
properties.
Planting
Planting takes place over a 4 - 6 months period depending on potato
variety, season and growing region. Quality seed potato is dropped
into furrows by a mechanical planter at precise depth and spacing
depending on season and varietial preference.
Soil analysis determines fertiliser application and the soil is ridged over
the tubers to form rows.The ridging or hilling of the soil protects the
tubers from sunlight if they grow close to the surface.
Growing Cycle
Crop health has a direct effect on resultant product quality so during the
growing cycle fields are monitored for pests and disease and careful consideration
is given to control methods.
Harvesting
At this point the tubers are fully grown. Plants die back prior to harvest
allowing the tubers to mature and the skins to set so they will store well.
Havesting machines work through the rows gently lifting the potatoes out
of the ground, separating the earth and transfering tubers to storage containers
for delivery to packhouse facilities where they are cleaned, graded and
packed ready for immediate delivery to your supermarket. |
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