Good morning,
First of all, I want to inform you that we are on yellow alert for heavy rains in certain areas, so it is likely that there will be some setbacks with the dispatch of some products, but rest assured that our customer service team is always ready to handle this type of unforeseen event.
Now then, today I'm putting on my garden teacher hat. Don't worry, there will be no exam. Just a secret that has taken us years to learn in the field. The success of the potato begins long before planting. It begins in the soil.
The potato is a bit delicate. It's not that it's capricious, it's just that if the soil isn't to its liking, it stays a small potato, and then we wonder what happened. It wants loose soil, with good drainage and full of life. When that happens, the plant works magic.
Let's go step by step and in plain language. The ideal soil for potatoes is a little acidic. The pH moves comfortably between 5.5 and 6.5. If you don't have a way to measure it, take a handful to a garden store or ask for some indicator paper strips. In five minutes, you'll know for sure.
The texture that suits it best is sandy loam. Translated: It drains without clogging but isn't a sieve. If you water and the water disappears in a flash, you lack fineness. If puddles form and take a long time to drain, you need more sand or aeration.
The structure must be loose. Imagine a soft mattress where the tubers grow comfortably without pressure. If the soil compacts, the potato gets constricted. Two simple tricks: don't work the soil when it's very wet. And pamper it with a fork instead of plowing it roughly. The idea is to lift and aerate, not to turn everything over as if it were an omelet.
Organic matter is the pantry and the gym of the soil at the same time. Well-rotted compost, well-matured manure, shredded pruning remains, and composted leaves. A generous layer and then gently incorporate it. You will gain sponginess, retain water without waterlogging, and feed the good critters. If you see earthworms, you are on the right track.
A homemade drainage test. Dig a hand-deep hole, fill it with water, and see how long it takes to drain. If it's still full of water in two or three hours, you need to improve the passage. More sand if the soil is very heavy. More organic matter if it's very loose. Easy and without fuss.
In the Huerta de Valencia, we make ridges. These are the mounds of earth where the potatoes go. Raising the crop a few centimeters helps prevent water from staying on top and allows the tubers to grow round and plump. Later, when the plant grows, we hill it up. We pile more soil around the sides to block light from the tubers. This prevents them from turning green and also supports the plant.
Plan ahead. I like to prepare the ground a few weeks in advance so it can settle. If you can, rotate the crop. Don't plant potatoes two years in a row in the same spot. The soil rests, balances, and rewards you with a harvest.
And above all, let's not forget what's important. A living soil is a functioning soil. Juan, my colleague from Huerta de Valencia, always reminds me of this. For me, the essential thing is to have good soil planning. If the soil has no life, if there is no biodiversity, you will make a mistake when planting.
This is how we work. Artisanally, like our grandparents did. Every morning we check orders, go out to harvest, and send what has been picked that same day. It's unique in Spain and it's how we defend our work at a fair price. Behind every well-grown potato is well-prepared soil and a lot of care.
If you dare to try it in your garden, tell me about your soil. If it smells like a forest when you dig, you're on the right track. If not, don't worry. With patience, organic matter, and good drainage, that soil will awaken. The potato is demanding, yes, but when you pamper it, it thanks you immensely 🥔
A big hug and thanks for being there. We're still in the field, with a knife in our pocket and eager for the persimmon to stop being a stranger in its own home.
See you next week!
