Arizona Potatoes
On January 20, 1883, the Pacific Rural Press published the first article we could find on record about Arizona potatoes. Apparently, Professor J.G. Lemmon had given a lecture on wild Arizona tubers at a meeting of the California Academy of Sciences. In it he discussed a three-year search for the origin of the potato which he ascertained that he had found on an exploration with his wife in the Chiricahua Mountains. Apparently, "various agricultural societies of the East...manifested utmost interest..." in the Lemmons' discovery. According to a 2008 KNAU news segment, there is archeological evidence that potatoes have been eaten in Arizona for centuries. A team led by geneticist, James Bamberg, found two wild species growing in Arizona that have similarities to the common potato.
Modern potato farming is not only for the farmers in Idaho, either. We found it interesting to learn that R&G Potato Company in Maricopa, Arizona has been providing "chipping potatoes" to processors for over forty years! It's easy to find a local Arizona potato farm where you can purchase a few of these delicious and fresh beauties for your Thanksgiving table.
The point is, Arizona is a good place to grow potatoes! Here are a few tips for growing potatoes in your backyard garden:
- March is an ideal time for planting potatoes. Fall planting in late September or early October is also fine.
- Potatoes grow best in loose acidic soil that drains well.
- Apply most of the fertilizer prior to planting your plant spuds, as the potato plant requires fertilizer in early stages of growth.
- Six hours of full sun is optimal for potato plant growth.
- Maintain evenly damp, but not wet soil.
- Purchase seed potatoes that are certified as being disease free rather than planting those that you get from the store.
- Each piece you plant will need at least one bud (eye) in order to grow.
RESOURCES:
University of California Riverside Center for Biological Diversity
