We went shopping yesterday at one of my favorite farm and ranch stores, and I found the six packets of seeds that I need to round out the vegetable garden. They also had Kinnebec seed potatoes, which are rather hard to find around here. We got five lbs. of Kinnebecs, which I have stashed in the dark and cool pantry until it is time to plant. We usually plant on Valentine's Day because I LOVE to plant and my husband LOVES potatoes! I'll pick up five lbs. of Red LaSodas from our local feed store, and we'll have a lot to love on Valentine's Day! Gardening can make you so happy!
Island, I really don't know. Last year was the first year we planted Kinnebecs, and I didn't weigh the harvest. All I know is that we plenty to share with friends, and to eat right through January. If this is a good gardening year, I'll weigh the harvest.
@marlingardener Thanks for the tidbit. I planted potatoes a few times and don't think I even got back the seed potato weight of what I planted. Potatoes for me were a real flop and I was hoping to get sufficient to share with the daughter and her family but the crop was pretty minimal.
Island, don't give up! Potatoes need to be planted early and harvested in late spring or early summer. I dig a 6" deep trench, plant the chitted potato pieces, and cover with about 3" of soil. Then when the greenery starts to show, I pull another 3" of soil over them, and then let them grow until 1) the leaves start to yellow or 2) I just can't contain my curiosity and start to dibble around the plants to see of there are any baby potatoes. Guess which happens first--1 or 2?
It was super fun to dig up the Potatoes but but but - there sure wasn't much to dig up. I planted in holes, covered 3 or 4" and then once the leaves appeared I covered them with some more soil and waited for everything to yellow up. Soon as it did I dug 'em but the marbles I found were really not worth the effort.
@Islandlife my first year with potatoes where a flop almost gave up then I saw a video from MIGardener and the key is to supplement soil with potassium. Had a decent harvest despite planting late.
I'm on Vancouver Island off the west coast of British Columbia Canada. I'm halfway UP the Island on the east side (facing the mainland). Am far enough away from the ocean that I do not get salt spray. We're kinda on the side of a mountain. Not much 'good' soil here (all of min was trucked in about 5 yrs ago and supplemented with compost). Lots of rain so nutrients can leach out of our soil fast.
The soil for the potatoes was pretty good meaning not heavy clay, not overly sandy. I planted them and threw on a little bit of 6-8-6 (probably twice) but that was about all.
Are you using seed potatoes or from the grocery store ? I would change the fertilizer to at least a 10-10-10 or better ! I am also in sandy soil and I fertilize about every two weeks or whenever it rains during that period ! After the plants are about a foot tall and are spread out about the width of the row I stop !! Potatoes are pretty heavy feeders !!
Mart made a good point. Grocery potatoes are often treated with a "retardant" to keep them from sprouting and having a longer shelf life. Seed potatoes are not treated since they are supposed to sprout.
I did buy bona fide seed potatoes. I cut them into half with each half having a couple of eyes. I let them sit on the counter for a couple days to dry prior to planting. Might give them another go this year ....
Thats what you should do !! Just give them more fertilizer this year ! You can just sprinkle on top of the soil right before a rain or water it in yourself if no rain is forecast ! The rain or water will take it to the roots ! When they bloom you should be able to dig new potatoes ! Take one or two from each plant and let the rest mature !
