Hoping for a better 2013 crop than 2012 gave me

Potatoes

My first visit of the 2013 garden season.

I have four rows of potatoes planted. Two of Kennebec, two of Pontiac Red.
I am SO hoping for a more bountiful crop than 2012 gave me.
I always think of Sjoerd when I plant potatoes.

 

Growingpains, we are trying Kennebec for the first time this year--a row and a half. We put in Red LaSodas, lots of them! Last year wasn't the best for us either with potatoes--wet soil so late planting, and then scorching heat limited their production. But, gardeners live on hope!
When you start harvesting the Kennebecs, let us know how they did.

 

Hee hee hee....what a nice thought, GP. I really hope that you will have more success too.
It was a not-so-good year here last year, and this year I have not planted my spuds yet (they'll go in tomorrow). Spuds are such a delight to dig up when they do well.

I do not know those potatos that you are planting, you shall have to tell me more about them...and naturally tell me what you think of the ones that you harvest.

 

Thank you, everyone. I have decided on the No Till method of gardening this year. The spuds were placed in a shallow trench, cut side down, with sprinkling of soil and then straw over them. I hope I remember to talk to them, encouragingly, each day. That just may bring about much growth.

 

GP, if talking to your potatoes encouragingly doesn't work, I have found that tough love does. I threaten them with dire consequences if they don't grow, and even toss a few harsh words at them. It also works with tomatoes . . . .

 

Oh dear, I fear mine would turn totally against me. You are capable of "Tough love" I see.

 

Happily I relate that the potato crop was beautiful. I'm sold on the method of mixing straw and garden soil as a planting medium. Very easy to harvest. Bearing in mind that our rows are short, we got about a peck of Pontiac Red and about 2 pecks of Kennebec. Although I kept them out of the sun, some still turned green. We will just peel the green away and eat them.

 

( photo / image / picture from Growingpains's Garden )



These are just the first harvesting, but I have no pictures of today's.

 

I had to ask Marlingardener about the green on Kennebecs,,that's normal. Mine have a green color too. So it is just the potato not the sun. I thought the same as you. Glad yours did good.

 

There is nothing better than a fresh spud out of the garden! Grocery store potatoes don't even come close!!!

 

Wow GP---Wouldja lookit that!
You must be over the moon. It looks like you are having a good spud season this year.
Are YOU pleased, though?

How many plants did you lift to get what is shown in the foto above?

Do you feel that the no-till methof worked for you so far?

 

It looks like you are doing great this year Keep up the good work Growingpains

 

I think this year is good for potatoes but I can't say anything about rest of all..!!

 

( photo / image / picture from Growingpains's Garden )

Sjoerd, I guess we got about three or four potatoes per plant. Probably not a great return, but to grow our own is the joy.