Growing Potatoes in your backyard garden from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objective

When you are finished with this course you will know everything you need to get a great crop of potatoes planted this year.

Syllabus

This section will give you a little introduction to the course, a little about the instructor and an outline for what is to follow.

Welcome to Growing Potatoes. This course is designed to help both the new gardener and the more experience gardener to grow a huge crop of potatoes in their backyard garden.

I have been growing potatoes in my backyard garden for over 15 years. And most years I grow 150 to 200 pounds of potatoes.

In this course we will cover 1. Planting Potatoes 2. Caring for your Potatoes 3. Harvesting and Storage 4. Some alternative methods for growing Potatoes.

In this first section of the course you will learn how to choose the right seed potatoes, how to grow your own seed potatoes, chitting, cutting and how to plant using the trench and hill method.

A seed potato is just a potato specifically grown to produce potatoes. Be sure to look for certified disease fee seed.

You can grow your own seed potatoes if you would like. But I encourage you to start each year with new certified disease fee seed.

You can plant unprotected potatoes anywhere from about 2 weeks before to 2 weeks after your last frost.

Chitting is the process of letting your seed potatoes sprout before planting them.

You can cut larger seed potatoes into 2 or even 3 pieces to produce more plants.

This lecture will cover my favorite method fro growing potatoes. The Trench and Hill method.

In this section of the course you will learn how to "hill" your potatoes, how much water and fertilizer to give them, how to deal with pests and diseases, and why your potatoes are shaped funny!

If you started with a trench slowly fill it in as the tops appear, cover them back up.

Then as the tops really start to take off you should hill at least 3 times:

1. Once when the tops are around 4-6 inches tall.

2. Again when the tops are around 8 inches tall.

3. One last time when the tops are taller just as the plants are starting to flower

You should be watering every 5 to 7 days in the hot season.

If you have good soil, you shouldn't need to fertilize.

Here's a list of the pests and other problems you might see on your potatoes.

Stress does a lot of funny things to potatoes. Keep them looking good by providing a stress free growing environment.

Light is the enemy of growing potatoes. Keep them covered to keep them from going green.

In this section of the course you will learn when you can first start harvesting your potatoes and how to care for them and store them after you dig them up!!

Once the plants set flowers you can harvest any time depending on what size of potato you are looking for.

You will need a shovel or even better a digging fork to get your potatoes out of the ground.

Letting your potatoes "cure" for a few days before you put them in storage will help them last and avoid problems with rot.

Here are a few ideas to help keep that huge crop of potatoes lasting in storage for a long time.

Besides the trench and hill method, there are also 3 other ways you can grow your potatoes. You will learn a little about each method in this section along with a cheat to get you an early harvest.

Although containers are not always the perfect solution, if you don't have a lot of space they can be a great place to grow spuds!

If you just don't feel like "hilling" your potatoes you can just stick them in the ground, but your harvest will suffer.

This video talks about an alternative method for growing potatoes in compost and straw.

Use this trick to get potatoes very early in the season.

That's all for this course. I sure hope you enjoyed the video. Be sure to ask any questions you might have in the lecture that relates most to the question.

Here are some coupons for my other courses.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides a step-by-step guide to potato gardening, making it accessible to beginners

Covers various aspects of potato gardening, including planting, care, harvesting, and storage

Suitable for gardeners of all levels, from beginners to those with more experience

Includes practical tips and insights gained from the instructor's years of gardening experience

Covers alternative growing methods, such as growing in containers and using straw

Reviews summary

Potato proficiency

Learners say this course is highly detailed and provides thorough information on growing potatoes. It discusses all aspects of growing, from early preparations to storing. Specifics on the pros, cons, and alternatives are provided regarding all methods mentioned. Students say they appreciate the course's focus.

Provides pros, cons, and alternatives for methods.

"The thing I appreciated most was how, for each bit of information, the pros and cons and alternatives were all discussed and compared."

Covers everything from growing to storing.

"This course covered everything from growing to storing."

"The thing I appreciated most was how, for each bit of information, the pros and cons and alternatives were all discussed and compared."

Focuses on growing one plant in depth.

"I loved that this course focused on one plant."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Growing Potatoes in your backyard garden with these activities:

Review plant biology basics

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Strengthen your foundation by reviewing the fundamentals of plant biology, including plant anatomy, physiology, and growth.

Browse courses on Plant Biology

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Recall soil science concepts

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Refresh your knowledge of soil science, including soil composition, properties, and nutrient management.

Browse courses on Soil Science

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Volunteer at a local food bank or community garden

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Gain practical experience while making a positive impact in your community by volunteering with organizations involved in potato-related activities.

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Research local food banks or community gardens that accept volunteers.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend volunteer orientation and training sessions.
Participate in potato-related tasks, such as planting, harvesting, or food distribution.
Reflect on your experience and how it has enhanced your understanding of potato cultivation and community involvement.

Four other activities

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Potato planting practice

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Enhance your practical potato planting skills by practicing different techniques.

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Gather the necessary tools and materials.
Prepare the soil by digging and loosening it.
Choose healthy seed potatoes and cut them into pieces.
Plant the potato pieces in rows, spacing them appropriately.
Water the plants and cover them with soil.

Study group for potato cultivation

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Enhance your learning by collaborating with peers in a study group focused on potato cultivation.

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Find a group of fellow students who are interested in forming a study group.
Establish regular meeting times and locations.
Develop a study schedule that covers the course materials.
Take turns leading discussions and presenting on different aspects of potato cultivation.
Support each other with understanding the concepts and completing assignments.

Pest and disease management for potatoes

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Deepen your understanding of potato pests and diseases and learn effective management techniques.

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Identify common potato pests and diseases.
Learn about their life cycles and symptoms.
Explore organic and chemical control methods.
Implement preventive measures to minimize risks.
Monitor your potato crop regularly for signs of infestation or disease.

Potato recipe video

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Showcase your culinary skills by creating a video that demonstrates a potato-based recipe.

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Choose a potato recipe that you want to demonstrate.
Gather the necessary ingredients and equipment.
Prepare the potatoes according to the recipe.
Film yourself preparing the dish, providing clear instructions.
Edit your video and add any necessary titles or graphics.

Career center

Learners who complete Growing Potatoes in your backyard garden will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Farmer

Farmers are responsible for producing food and fiber. They own and operate farms, where they grow crops and raise livestock. Potatoes are one of the most popular crops grown globally, so taking this course will give you valuable knowledge if you aim to be a Farmer.

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Horticulturist

Horticulturists use their knowledge of plant science to grow and care for plants. They work in a variety of settings, including greenhouses, nurseries, and botanical gardens. Understanding the growth patterns and cultivation practices of a variety of plants, such as the potato, will serve as a great basis to cultivate a successful career as a Horticulturist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Horticulturist

Farm Manager

Farm Managers oversee the day-to-day operations of farms. They are responsible for planning and implementing crop production, managing livestock, and ensuring the efficient use of resources. An integral part of managing a farm includes understanding how the plants grown on that farm thrive, such as the potato.

See salaries and explore the career path for Farm Manager

Agricultural and Food Scientist

With a vast majority of your time spent on research, you may encounter many different types of projects during your career as an Agricultural and Food Scientist. One project may ask you to determine the ideal climate or soil conditions for a specific crop, while another may ask you to develop new farming or production techniques. In either case, the work you do will invariably impact a variety of food-related areas, from yield size to taste. But for someone who holds this role, understanding the intricacies of growing fruits and vegetables, like potatoes, is key. With this course, you will be able to better comprehend how potatoes grow and what they might need from their environments to produce a quality crop. This knowledge will give you a better basis from which to conduct research on potatoes as an Agricultural and Food Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Agricultural and Food Scientist

Plant Geneticist

Plant Geneticists are tasked with the improvement and cultivation of plants. This type of work will include identifying desirable traits in plants, both visually and chemically, and then utilizing various techniques to breed crops that exhibit those traits. An interest in the science behind potato growth and cultivation is a fundamental stepping stone to success in this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Plant Geneticist

Agronomist

Agronomists work to improve the productivity of agricultural crops. They conduct research on new farming techniques, develop new crop varieties, and provide advice to farmers on how to improve their yields. If you wish to become an Agronomist, then taking this course will give you an introductory understanding of how crops like potatoes are cultivated.

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Agricultural Inspector

Agricultural Inspectors are responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of agricultural products. They inspect farms, food processing plants, and other agricultural facilities to make sure that they are following food safety regulations. A background in growing practices, like those you will learn with this course, will help you to succeed in this role.

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Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists are tasked with protecting the environment by studying environmental issues and developing solutions to address them. They work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations. Those who work in Environmental Science often need a deep, fundamental understanding of plant science, which may lead you to cultivate interests in various plants, such as potatoes.

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Crop Scientist

Crop Scientists conduct research to improve the yield and quality of crops. They develop new varieties of plants, study the effects of different growing conditions on crop growth, and develop new pest and disease control methods.

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Botanist

Botanists, also known as plant scientists, are responsible for expanding our knowledge of the plant kingdom. This includes identifying and classifying different species of plants, studying their growth and development, and researching their uses and applications. If you are interested in the field of botany and would like to know more about the growth and development of a highly versatile plant like the potato, then taking this course will provide you with a valuable background.

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Food Scientist

Food Scientists develop and improve new food products and processes. They work in a variety of settings, including food processing plants, research laboratories, and government agencies.

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Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural Engineers combine engineering principles with biological sciences to improve agricultural practices. They design and develop new equipment and technologies to help farmers produce food more efficiently and sustainably. Even though much of your work will revolve around machinery, your understanding of agricultural practices, such as understanding how potatoes grow, will set you apart from other engineers in the field.

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Agriculture Teacher

Agriculture Teachers educate students about the principles of agriculture. They teach courses on topics such as crop production, animal science, and environmental science.

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Environmental Health Scientist

Environmental Health Scientists work to protect the public from environmental hazards. They identify and assess environmental risks, and develop and implement programs to reduce exposure to these risks.

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Geographer

Geographers study the physical features of the Earth, as well as the human and environmental processes that shape them.

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