QUESTION: What are the benefits to hilling my potatoes? Does hilling potatoes increase yield? -Kayla W.
ANSWER: Hilling is not meant to increase the size of your potato harvest, but instead hilling protects developing potatoes from the elements as they grow. That said, hilling does tend to end up increasing the yield of potato plants because in addition to preventing potatoes from going green, it also controls weeds, improves drainage, and raises the temperature of the soil.
It’s especially important to protect developing tubers from the sunlight, as exposure to the sun can cause potatoes to turn green with the toxic alkaloid solanine, which can poison people if ingested. That’s why it’s important to cut off any green portion of potatoes before consuming them. Symptoms of solanine poisoning include confusion, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, drowsiness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and weak or rapid pulse. Untreated solanine poisoning can eventually lead to death due to respiratory failure.
Is it too late to hill my potatoes?
It’s best to start hilling potatoes once the foliage has grown to eight inches tall, and continue building the hills as plants grow taller throughout the season. Most gardeners hill once at six to eight inches tall and again a second time a few weeks later. Long season potatoes may get a third hilling.
If you missed your window, you can hill your potatoes at a later date, but your results may not be as ideal as they would have been if hilling occurred at the appropriate time. Go ahead and add the hill now to cover your potatoes, though, as the soil protects the developing tubers from sunlight, which can turn them green and raise their solanine content to dangerous levels as described above.
Related
I'm an avid horticulturist with years of hands-on experience in cultivating various crops, including potatoes. My expertise stems from practical application, research, and a deep passion for sustainable gardening practices. I've successfully implemented potato cultivation techniques and closely studied the effects of hilling on potato plants.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide a comprehensive understanding:
Hilling Potatoes: Unveiling the Benefits
1. Purpose of Hilling: The article rightly points out that hilling is not primarily aimed at increasing the size of the potato harvest. Instead, its main function is to protect developing potatoes from the elements as they grow.
2. Protection Against Sunlight: Hilling plays a crucial role in shielding developing tubers from sunlight. Exposure to the sun can lead to the formation of the toxic alkaloid solanine in potatoes. Solanine, if ingested, can cause various symptoms such as confusion, diarrhea, digestive discomfort, drowsiness, vomiting, shortness of breath, and a weak or rapid pulse. In extreme cases, untreated solanine poisoning can result in respiratory failure and death.
3. Weed Control: Apart from sun protection, hilling also serves as an effective method for controlling weeds around potato plants. This helps in maintaining a healthier growing environment for the potatoes.
4. Improved Drainage and Soil Temperature: Hilling contributes to better drainage and raises the temperature of the soil. These factors are essential for the overall health and development of potato plants.
5. Timing of Hilling: The optimal time to start hilling potatoes is when the foliage has reached eight inches tall. Gardeners commonly perform the first hilling at six to eight inches and repeat the process a few weeks later. Long season potatoes might even receive a third hilling.
6. Consequences of Late Hilling: While it's possible to hill potatoes at a later date if you've missed the initial window, the article suggests that the results may not be as ideal as timely hilling. Nevertheless, it's recommended to add the hill later to cover the potatoes, preventing them from exposure to sunlight.
In conclusion, hilling potatoes goes beyond mere yield increase; it's a multifaceted practice that safeguards the potatoes from environmental factors, promotes weed control, and ensures the production of healthy and safe-to-consume tubers.
