Insect pests that are a major concern are Colorado potato beetle, leafhoppers, aphids and armyworms. For descriptions and control measures of potato pests click here . This can be a very serious pest. Safer soaps are effective of aphid problems. Boiling hot chiles in water and spraying the cooled chile water on the crop can stop an aphid problem.
Army worms are a problem if they eat the tubers.
Bt insecticides are effective. For a guide to convert application rates on a per acre rate to a garden size rate click here . Harvesting Potato varieties are generally done growing 90 to 150 days after planting depending on the growing area and variety. Some varieties are determinate and will quite growing after a certain number of days. Others will continue growing as long as the weather and plant health permits.