PROUD GROWER-SHIPPER
Metz Potato Company is proud to be a Grower-Shipper meaning our family raises a large portion of the potatoes we package and ship for our nation's fresh market. Growing potatoes in the San Luis Valley takes all summer from May to September. The San Luis Valley provides a combination of rich soils, warm sunshine days and cool nights to create a prime growing environment for our "Top Quality" potatoes.
The Land
Beginning in early spring we start preparing the land to ensure it has the essential nutrients to grow and sustain the crop for the year. Potatoes grow well in soil that is well drained as they grow underground and can expand more easily in loose soil.
Planting
In late Spring seed potatoes are planted in the ground using a potato planter, this machine is pulled by a Tractor and places a seed potatoes in the ground in a row which is then covered up with dirt to begin the growing process. Potato Crops grow best in cool soil and need 6 or more hours of sunlight each day.
Growing a Healthy Crop
Potato crops require care throughout the summer. Potato vines must be watered well throughout the summer especially until the plants have flowered. Fields are inspected regularly to check for pests and disease.
Harvest
Potatoes are ready to be harvested in September. We begin this process by using a chopper to chop the potato vines to make it easier to harvest the potatoes. Some of the potatoes are dug out of the ground with a windrower and moved over into the rows to be picked up by the harvester. This allows us to harvest more rows at time. Once the potatoes are picked up by the harvester they are loaded into a potato truck that transports the potatoes to our bulk storage facilities.
