The Seed Potato Planting Process

It is important to apply fertiliser within reach of each plant’s root system when planting seed potatoes, says Bill Kerr.

- By Bill Kerr

Potatoes have a compact root system and, because they produce a high yield, they need to be fertilised accordingly. Rows are spaced 70cm to 90cm apart, so it’s preferable to apply all the fertiliser within the reach of the root system at planting.

Most farmers use an implement which opens up a furrow, drops a seed potato into the furrow and then covers it, all in one operation. The spacing set is determined by the size of the seed potatoes; the smaller they are, the closer the spacing in the row. (A small spacing is 20cm, and a large spacing is 30cm to 35cm.)

Some farmers use double rows, which has the advantage of keeping the soil moist for longer. With single ridges, more soil is exposed to drying out. The downside of this approach is that a more powerful tractor is required for all tasks. It is common practice to plant the tubers when the eyes start to produce shoots. If they become too advanced, they may become damaged during planting. Ideally, the shoots should be 2mm long.