Harvest Moon potatoes - Ask Extension
We are growing harvest moon potatoes for the first time and would like some advice about what we are seeing. In the beginning, just after we planted, ...
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Harvest Moon potatoes #879953
Asked August 02, 2024, 4:54 PM EDT
We are growing harvest moon potatoes for the first time and would like some advice about what we are seeing. In the beginning, just after we planted, they seemed to grow like mad. For the last few weeks they have slowed way down and the majority of the leaves are just near the top of the plant. Also, you can see the leaves appear to be stunted, some are brown on the tips and some have holes. We live very near the St. Paul campus so we have had plenty of moisture. So far, we have not done any fertilizer doing, we would like to get your advice about the best strategy.
Thanks much,
Owen
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Harvest moon potatoes take 70 days to produce. It could be that the foliage of the plants are preparing to complete their growth. It could also be a fungal or bacterial disease. With it being later in the season this may not impact the potatoes. Holes in the leaves mean a beetle is feeding on them. The volume of damage is minimal and should not impact your potatoes.
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-potatoes
https://extension.umn.edu/vegetables/growing-potatoes