Solanum tuberosum
Potato, White Potato, Irish Potato, Garden Potato, Edible Potato,

• There are many different varieties of potatoes available for growing by the home gardener, and you will be amazed at how good potatoes you grow yourself taste compared to the store-bought product. In Southern California\'s mild coastal climates, potatoes may be planted from January through May for spring to fall harvest, and you can even try planting in early fall for a winter harvest. The main thing to remember is that potatoes like loose soil, don\'t like excessive heat, and need even moisture (but never soggy soil) throughout the growing season. Whether you grow potatoes in the ground, in half-barrels, or even in stacks of tires, they produce best if you mound loose soil around the plant stems as they grow. For healthy plants and a good harvest, it is important to plant only certified \"seed\" potatoes that you buy from nurseries or specialty growers (rather than store-bought potatoes, which often produce poor crops).

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