Explore further detail here. Subsequently, one may also ask, how do I know when to harvest my potatoes?
Let the potato plants and the weather tell you when to harvest them. Wait until the tops of the vines have completely died before you begin harvesting. When the vines are dead, it is a sure sign the potatoes have finished growing and are ready to be harvested.
Secondly, what happens if you don't harvest potatoes? Once the plant reaches maturity, it ceases to be useful to the potatoes and dies. Tubers left in the ground experience no further growth, but their skins continue to thicken and harden, which extends the life of potatoes destined for storage.
Regarding this, do potatoes need to flower before harvesting?
When the flowers appear on the shoots and stems of potato plants, it's a sign that the potato tubers are maturing. It is however only an indication and so a test dig will reveal whether they have reached a size considered ready for harvesting. As a guide, harvest first and second earlies 10-12 weeks after planting.
Do you wash potatoes after harvesting?
If the soil does not drop away, use a soft brush to remove soil from the tubers. Do not wash just harvested potatoes; washing potatoes will shorten their storage life. Newly harvested potatoes do not have tough skin so handle them carefully to avoid bruising which can lead to rot.
