Back in late January, I prepared equal amounts of red and white seed potatoes and planted them in two - 3 foot by 12 foot garden beds. I normally target my planting date for President's Day, but this year's warm winter encouraged me to try planting early.
Planting early has it's risks. Freezing temperatures can zap tender seedlings, but I was prepared with row covers in the event that any freezes swooped in. Nothing of the sort happened and planting early payed off with an early harvest and large potatoes.
The plants in both beds were "dirted" multiple times and received a similar amounts of water and fertilizer. "Dirting" means to pile dirt around the stem of the potatoes where the potatoes are produced.
Since potatoes are formed close to the stem and the soil surface, multiple "dirtings" will produce the most potatoes. I mound the dirt as high as it will go and add a layer of hay to help hold the dirt and moisture in place.
At the end of March, the potatoes bloomed. The blooms and plants were soon chewed up pretty badly by hungry caterpillars, but they were pretty while they lasted.
By mid-May the plants are falling over and it's time to harvest. At this point, the potato plants are stressed by the heat and have been munched on by a variety of insect pests. They look pretty ratty, but that's okay. The real magic is taking place underground and I'm hopeful as always that this will be the best crop ever.
When it's time to harvest, my husband and I work together. We pull up the plants and clear away the foliage. The potato tubers are attached to the mother plant via a root-like stolon. I've cleared away a side view for a closer look in the photos below. Notice how the roots have little hairs, but the stolons attaching to the potatoes are smooth.
We use a fork to loosen the soil and start hunting through the dirt for potatoes. It's hard work and when we're done the raised beds are a mess. The fork may pierce a potato or two despite our best efforts not to. The potatoes heal over the pierced areas, but it's always best to use damaged potatoes first, since they will have a shortened shelf life.
Look at what we have to show for all of our hard work! Must be close to 70 pounds of potatoes. Stored in paper bags and kept in a cool dark place, these beauties will keep for months. This is good because it will take a while to eat this many potatoes. Even with giving some away to family and friends, that's a lot of tater salad.
Planting early has it's risks. Freezing temperatures can zap tender seedlings, but I was prepared with row covers in the event that any freezes swooped in. Nothing of the sort happened and planting early payed off with an early harvest and large potatoes.
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| Prepared Seed Potatoes |
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| Seed Potatoes Planted in a Trench |
Since potatoes are formed close to the stem and the soil surface, multiple "dirtings" will produce the most potatoes. I mound the dirt as high as it will go and add a layer of hay to help hold the dirt and moisture in place.
By mid-May the plants are falling over and it's time to harvest. At this point, the potato plants are stressed by the heat and have been munched on by a variety of insect pests. They look pretty ratty, but that's okay. The real magic is taking place underground and I'm hopeful as always that this will be the best crop ever.
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| Plants Ready for Harvest |
When it's time to harvest, my husband and I work together. We pull up the plants and clear away the foliage. The potato tubers are attached to the mother plant via a root-like stolon. I've cleared away a side view for a closer look in the photos below. Notice how the roots have little hairs, but the stolons attaching to the potatoes are smooth.
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| Clearing Away Foliage |
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| Stem with Tubers |
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| Tuber Close-up |
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| Potato Stem with Tubers and Stolens |
Look at what we have to show for all of our hard work! Must be close to 70 pounds of potatoes. Stored in paper bags and kept in a cool dark place, these beauties will keep for months. This is good because it will take a while to eat this many potatoes. Even with giving some away to family and friends, that's a lot of tater salad.
WOW, what will you be doing with all of these wonderful potatoes Ally?
ReplyDeleteFried, smashed, mashed, baked... I love them all.
DeleteCongratulations on a stellar potato harvest! Have you ever tried a fall potato crop using a few of these as seed potatoes?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've never tried fall potatoes. I'm not sure why. Do you know anyone that has had good success with them in the fall?
DeleteBob Pool (Gardening at Draco) says fall potatoes are better than spring potatoes in these parts! But seed potatoes for fall planting are nearly impossible to find.
DeleteWow..you had a great harvest there.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about the roots and the stolons.
Taking a closer look at the stolons was interesting to me too. It made me realize how important successive dirting is to production.
DeleteThat is an incredible harvest. I planted potatoes for the first time this year and had a modest harvest. The plants grew well then were eaten to pieces. No flowers. I am really encouraged by your success to try again next year and plant larger beds. After all potatoes are on the dirty dozen list and potato growers are known for using masses of pesticides to achieve a good harvest.
ReplyDeleteI usually end up buying potatoes at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I always buy organic for just that reason. Homegrown potatoes are wonderful and knowing I'm not poisoning myself is a great bonus.
DeleteFarmer Ally does it again with another impressive harvest!
ReplyDeleteMy experience echoed yours, Jenny. But the taters i did get (about 15 lbs from 1 lb of seeds potatoes cut up) are lovely and delicious! We aren't big tater eaters though so this was fairly successful.
Farmer Ally... you're funny Suzie. One of Richard's friends calls me the "Farmstress", which is cute.
Delete15 pounds is great! That'll keep you in potatoes for a while.
I have yet to have a good potato harvest, so you're my hero, Ally.
ReplyDeleteSweet, I've always wanted to be a hero. We'll have to see if we can figure out how to improve your harvest for next year.
DeleteWow! I am so impressed. I also really appreciate your documentation. I'll save this in case I try next year.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda. I'm glad I could provide some useful information. I hope you'll have a chance to put it to use. Let me know how it goes.
DeleteVery nice! Most years I get 20 LBS per 1 lb of seed potatoes. 15 LBS and up is excellent. To me you dig them too early. If you let the vine die back you would have got 20+ per pound I bet. Also if you want seed potatoes to plant in the fall. Just buy them in the spring. Put them in a dark cool place in the house not the frig. They will wrinkle up real bad and grow sprouts real long. About 15 to 20 days before you want to plant them. Break or cut off the long sprouts and toss them in the trash. Leave about 1/8 inch of the sprout on the potato that way they will resprout again. Put the potatoes in a room spread them out and leave the light on 24 7. In 2 or 3 weeks you will have the best resprouted potatoes you have ever seen. Just plant the whole potato or if large cut it in half. You need to plant them about 120 to 130 days before your first fall frost date. I'm not much at writing or spelling but I know how to garden. I'm an old man been doing this all my life. You give this a try and you can have some fall potatoes also.
ReplyDeleteAwesome information and great tips. Experience is the best teacher in the garden. Sounds like you have a wealth of information.
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