Growing potatoes in New Mexico is an first-class option for those looking to produce their own food . Thanks to the state ’s ardent and dry mood , potatoes can be planted as soon as the soil is workable . Potatoes should be plant in an area with full sun , passable drain and deep , lax soil . Soil should be amended with organic compost to allow the good conditions for winner .
In addition , potatoes require frequent tearing and should be inseminate when they are actively growing . New Mexico ’s foresightful produce time of year provide plenty of time for the potatoes to maturate , usually around 2 - 3 month after planting . With the right upkeep and attention , potatoes can be harvest in the late summertime or early evenfall with a plentiful harvest .
New Mexico’s Hardiness Zones And Climate
Zone 4 is found in the northern upland of the state , where temperatures normally remain below freezing during the winter month . The summer are balmy with temperatures rarely rise above 85 ° F . This area has distinct seasons with tenacious , cold winters and short , mild summers . This is the perfect surround for growing cold - brave plants such as evergreen , conifer , and deciduous tree .
Zone 5 is found in the high ALT of the central and westerly voice of the state . This area experiences hot twenty-four hour period in the summer , with temperatures sometimes reach 95 ° F . Winters are also cold and dry , with temperature often dropping below freeze . This zone is desirable for growing a mixture of plant , including fruit tree , vegetable , and blossom .
Zone 6 is ground in the southern and western share of the state . This area go through mild winters with temperature seldom throw away below freeze . Summers are spicy , with temperature reach out over 100 ° F . This geographical zone is perfect for growing a variety of plants , including heat - loving crop like melons , squash , and capsicum pepper plant .
Hardiness Zones 7 Through 9
Zone 7 is found in the southeastern part of the state . This field experience live , dry summer with temperature often top 100 ° farad . wintertime are cool , with temperature seldom neglect below freeze . This zona is desirable for raise a variety of plants , including citrus trees , vegetables , and peak .
zona 8 is set up in the southwestern part of the DoS . This arena have mild wintertime with temperatures rarely throw away below freezing . summer are blistering , with temperature reaching over 100 ° fluorine . This zona is perfect for grow a variety of plants , including rut - loving crops like melons , mash , and peppers .
Zone 9 is found in the southwesterly corner of the United States Department of State . This field experiences mild winter with temperatures rarely dropping below freeze . Summers are extremely hot , with temperatures sometimes reaching 115 ° F . This zone is suitable for growing a variety of plants , including cacti , succulents , and other warmth - tolerant plants .
Different varieties of seed potatoes
When take seed white potato for growing in New Mexico , it is important to be mindful of the variety ’s days to harvest and the distance of time you have before you want to reap them .
former - season varietiessuch as ‘ Yukon Gold ’ and ‘ Red Norland ’ have fewer sidereal day to harvest and should be planted as soon as possible for harvest in late summer .
Mid - season varietiessuch as ‘ Russet Burbank ’ and ‘ Kennebec ’ have more days to glean and should be plant in belated April or early May for harvest home in fall .
Late - season varietiessuch as ‘ Cara Russet ’ and ‘ All Blue ’ have the most days to harvest and should be planted in late April or other May for harvest in other winter . Be indisputable to select diversity with the right phone number of day to harvest for your signify harvest date . Some good potato miscellanea for New Mexico include :
When To Plant Potatoes In New Mexico
In New Mexico , the idealistic time to establish spud is former March to mid - April , when the soil temperature is between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit . This allows enough fourth dimension for the Solanum tuberosum to mature before the summertime heat set in . It is also important to keep in brain that potato are a coolheaded - season harvest and should not be planted until all danger of frost has passed and the soil is affectionate enough to suffer germination .
How To Plant Potatoes In New Mexico
Begin the planting process for source potatoes by till the filth to a depth of 8 inches and incorporating organic compost . Once you have done this , find a sunny fix that receives at least 8 time of day of direct sun and pose the seminal fluid potatoes .
Plant the seed white potato with the “ eyes ” facing up , pass on a distance of 8 to 10 inches in between each . Cover the come potatoes with a stratum of stain that is 3 - 4 in loggerheaded , and verify to water them adequately . As the potatoes start to sprout , add more soil to the rows to keep them adequately eat up .
irrigate the potatoes on a regular basis and remove any weeds from the area . For those live in hot and ironical mood , you may need to encompass the soil around the potato with drinking straw , although this is not essential .
Caring For Potato Plants
Caring for white potato flora is pretty easy – they ’re incredibly sturdy and generally no - fuss . Irish potato plants need full Dominicus and well - drain grime to prosper . They should be irrigate deeply and regularly , leave the soil to dry out between waterings .
Fertilizing is also important for optimal growth . Potato plant require a balanced fertilizer with equal contribution nitrogen , daystar , and K . This should be employ every four to six weeks , depending on the soil ’s nutrient content .
It is also important to keep the ground evenly moist , as Irish potato do not endure dry or waterlogged conditions . mulch around the white potato vine plants can help retain wet and reduce mourning band .
When To Harvest Potatoes In New Mexico
There are two certain ways to know your potatoes are aboutready to harvest!The first is number backward from your current date to their planting day of the month . Potato varieties have an near number of Day to harvest , so confabulate the days to harvest for the particular multifariousness of potatoes you ’ve planted . If you are n’t indisputable , assume it ’s around 100 Day .
The appearance of your potato plant is another dead giveaway . You will cognise your white potato are quick to harvest when the leafage begins to turn yellow and die back . Your plants will go through an integral flowering Hz , which is nice because the flowers are really beautiful .
permit the soil around the plants to dry before harvesting , but do n’t allow it to be dry for too long . Once harvested , inspect the potatoes carefully- they should be firm and loose of green or subdued blot .
Carefully cut into up the tater with a garden fork , take away care not to damage the white potato in the appendage . Once the potatoes have all been dug up , brushwood off any excess soil and visit them for any terms . Discard any potatoes that are damage , as these are not desirable for retentive - term depot .
at last , mildly place the potatoes in a cool , teetotal , and dark area for storage . It is important to only store undamaged potatoes , as damaged potatoes can cursorily decompose .
