Book 29, Question 43 · Video
How do you hill potatoes and dig new potatoes?
Potatoes form on underground stems, so as the plant grows, gardeners pile soil or straw around the stems. This is called hilling. It gives the tubers room to grow and keeps them in the dark, so they stay pale and do not turn green. About two or three weeks after the plants flower, you can gently dig a few small new potatoes. Leave the rest until the leaves die back.
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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do you hill potatoes and dig new potatoes?
The Big Idea
Potatoes grow hidden underground! Gardeners pile soil around them. How do you hill and dig potatoes?
Underground Stems
Step one: Underground Stems. Potatoes form on underground stems. As the plant grows, gardeners pile soil or straw around the stems, which is called hilling.
Keep It Dark
Step two: Keep It Dark. Hilling gives the tubers room to grow and keeps them in the dark. That way they stay pale and don't turn green.
New Potatoes
Step three: New Potatoes. About two or three weeks after the plants flower, you can gently dig up a few small new potatoes. Leave the rest until the leaves die back.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Not food. Dig soon. Covers stems. The part we eat.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Potato leaves, sprouts, and green skin are not food. Only the pale tubers are eaten. Hilling keeps them dark. New potatoes are small. Dig after flowering.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, plant a sprouting potato piece in a big pot. Wear gloves. As stems grow, add soil around them. Wash your hands afterward. How tall did your hill get?
Outro
Potatoes form on underground stems, so gardeners pile soil or straw around them, called hilling, to keep the tubers dark and pale. A few weeks after flowering, you can dig small new potatoes, and remember, only the pale tubers are food. Science is amazing! Remember, every big discovery starts with a small question. Keep looking, keep learning, and keep asking why! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!