Has anyone grown potatoes in half barrels? I was wondering if i could stick 2 different types of potatoes in the same barrel, how long potatoes can stay good when stored properly. Can they do well during summer or are they a cool weather crop? I lack upper body strength so im not really willing to dig up potatoes if I can just tip the barrel over ya know? moderator's note: added a more descriptive title to topic
not sure about barrels, but i'm experimenting with black bin liners this year. basically you place 6 in of soil in the bottom and plant the potatoes. then as the plants grow keep adding soil inch by inch At the end of the year just cut the bag and take out the potatoes. working surprisingly well at the moment.
I have done potatoes in tires and my mother in law grew them in pots. They work very well. Potatoes are a warmer weather crop but don't like it too wet. Potatoes can last for months is stored properly. In a dark cool, but not cold place.
We stored our potatoes in the crisper drawer of the refridge last year and they kept very well. Our potatoes are about three feet high now. I wonder how much longer I should hill them? They have begun to blossom. A bit early it seems.
Here is a link that will help you out. http://www.gardening-guy.com/stories/storyReader$49 Hope this helps.
Gardenmama, the article gave good information, but it didn't tell me about adding dirt after the blossoms come. It is however a good article. Thank you.
I do not add dirt to mine during the growing season. My hubby does once and that is all. Last year my smaller row had almost as many and on average larger potatoes than his longer row did. Only difference that I could see was his were deeper. So for me I see no advantage to adding soil. What I do is after the blooms fade and plant starts to die back I dig them. Season them a few days and then store them. Mine are about ready to dig this year so we will see how well they do. Since it has been so dry I think they may not do as well, but you never know.
Mart, your way sounds easy and great. I did however, add more dirt today. I figure the spuds have awhile yet to grow, so I made more room for them to add new ones. I am anxious to dig in there and see if I can at least get a few marble sized spuds. Shall I? Or shall I wait for the vines to die down? Decisions, decisions, decisions.
If yours are blooming they should have several golf ball size potatoes. I have been eating new potatoes off my row a while now. That is why I plant a smaller row here behind the house, for new potatoes. I hate to have to walk to the big garden every time I need something. Just get what you need to eat and put the dirt back. They should continue just fine.
second year of growing pots for me. I've been growing mine in bags the aim being to get the plants as high as possible for a bumper crop. Last year I hilled the soil but only about 4 spade fulls. with my test this year I will have around 3 feet of soil above my pots. I'm amazed at how high they can grow. the theory being the more soil around the plant the more potatoes. the other benefit with my bags is that i can put my hand in from the side and feel around for potatoes at the bottom of the sack
Wow, Lots of info! Im on my way out to the back to start my taters! About how long til they're ready to harvest. I've heard green potatoes are poisonous, Any truth to that? How can I avoid it if it is true?
yep, the green is an indication of solanine in the potato which is a poison. Potatos are actually part of the nightshade family. All green parts of the potato plant are poisonous if ingested. Typically it will make you ill if ingested in large quantities. its easy to stop your potato from being green make sure they are well covered with soil.
Even though the green part is slightly toxic, you would have to eat about 5 lbs at a sitting to affect your health. Many potatoes you buy at the store will have a bit of green below the peel from sitting in store lights. Just store your potatoes out of sunlight or flourescent lights.
The blossoms have pretty much fallen from the potatoes. I had one volunteer and harvested about 6 decent sized potatoes from it. It was in the garlic patch, so it had to be dug up. Now I'm hoping for a respectable harvest from the 3 rows I planted this year.
