Potato question

I was late planting my seed pototoes so they're just now about 8 to 10 inches tall. I put them in trenches with the removed soil piled between the rows. Yesterday I filled the trenches with that extra dirt so the ground around the plants is level but there wasn't enough soil to mound over the plants. My question is do I need to cover part of the plants with more soil and, if so, how much of them do I bury? This nervous newbie appreciates your advice. :>

Annie, in the old days, I don't think they mounded the soil. The potatoes just grew downward. Takes more work to dig them up. Now a lot of people keep piling straw around the plants as they grow and the potatoes will actually start growing into the straw too. I've read fall leaves will work too.

In the olde days potatoes were hilled. They were planted in 36 inch rows. The dirt from between the rows was pulled to the plants wth each cultivation, leaving the potaoes growing in a mound with a trench between the rows. Ther were always folks who lazy bedded in the days of threshing machines where they had a surplus of straw from threshing wheat oats barley. In those cases they worked the soil planted the potatoes and covered them with 4 -6 inches of straw. Avoided cultivation this way. I have done it both ways, yields are about the same. The straw gives easier cleaner hand harvest in a small patch. But does not work well with plowing them out or using a potato digger.

Farmerdill, thanks for the correction on hilling and the explanation of using straw. I learn something new everyday!

We did it the way Farmerdill explained. My dad dug a trench, put in the seed potatoes, as they grew he put dirt around them, and dug a trench to one side as he went. Once the plants died back, we'd dig taters! He never measured the length of the row though ^_^

I grew up in them "olde days" that Farmedill mentioned LOL

Thanks MsRobin, FarmerDell and Honeybee for your information. I especially love the history. Not only helps me make more sense of the different things I've read and tells me what to do now, it's fun to hear about. I expect I'm old enough to qualify for those old days but, alas, I've never stepped foot on a farm. Too bad because, other than worry time, I'm really enjoying my approx. 75 feet and assorted containers of veggie growing.

I was always taught to keep mounding dirt around the potato plants as they grow, but I heard a gardening expert talking on a radio show the other day, and he said that there was no point in doing that. Many people think that a potato plant is like a tomato plant, in that when you bury the stem it puts out roots. He said that this isn't true, that the only reason to put more soil around your potato plant is just to be sure that the actual tubers never see sunlight. If sunlight hits the tubers, photosynthesis begins and the potatoes begin to turn green and produce a chemical that is toxic. Otherwise, mounding dirt around the plant is useless.

Not exactly honeysuckle. It is true that Irish potaoes do not grow any more roots, but the tubers form on the plant above the root, sometimes a considerable distance which is why some folks use the tower method of growing them. Hilling or using a thick layer of plant debris as mulch gives them more room to grow. For most varieties this is sufficient. The tubers will not form in sunlight, but will expand into the sunlight as soil is washed away leading to the "greening' effect.

I think we're both saying pretty much the same thing, but if anyone wants to know where the information came from, you can Google "gardens alive growing potatoes", and click on "potato growing 101". Have you ever grown potatoes on the waning moon, and if so, what were your results?

I grew up alongside a few "moon" planters, Never met one one who was good at growing things. I plant when the soil and season is right and usually make out alright.

Me, too...I'm going to experiment with it one of these days, though. I may buy a subscription just so I can see what the folks over on the "moon planting" forum are saying about it. I'm sure it's like everything else....some will swear by it, and some will say it's an old wives tale.

have you ever heard of the farmer’s almanac that’s what folks here go by ant plant by.

Yep it along with the Grit was the major source of info for some folks. Actually their long range weather forecasts are about as accurate as the US weather folks 99% wrong. I read it for fun every year. A real throwback to the past.

FD i was pullen you leg.lol the ol timers do plant by Moon phases and by season changes such as dog wood winter, blachberry winter , they know how many winters are to past before it is safe to plant and wont buge till the last one hits.

I thought that stuff was old wives tales, too, until I planted lima beans on bloom days. Came up fast and ran like crazy. Then they bloomed and bloomed and bloomed. Finally in October I took a hoe and cut them down. Not the first bean.

I am with you Farmer Dill, when the ground is right, the soil temp right and the moisture is right plant.

One of my wife's Uncles was a baker who vehemently believed that limas planted "when the old lady was holding the bloom" would be all vine and beans. He had a little back yard garden. When I was in Charlottesville on sabbadical, I tested his theory by planting limas (Sieva) on his bloom days. Had a good crop. He used too much nitrogen and had trouble no matter when he planted.

That might have been my problem. I had taken down my old chicken yard and broken it up and that is where the beans were. Might have been just to rich. I knew that peas in extra rich soil would turn to vines but didn't realize lima beans would.

I wonder how old the "gardening expert" that said mounding dirt around the plant is useless is. I guess he thinks we "old timers" know nothing! LOL

If I remember correctly, when dad and I dug those new potatoes, the old seed potato was at the bottom of the trench, and all the ones we were going to eat were on the top! If they aren't "mounded" where does this "expert" think the potatoes are going to grow?

I do agree that they need to stay covered to stop them from turning green. I've heard "younguns" say that green tomatoes aren't poisonous, but I'm not willing to take the chance.

Glad to report my potatoes are growing like mad. I've been pulling the extra soil up around the plants and bought some straw yesterday. I was surprized that a bale of straw was almost $9.00. Thought it would be half that.

AnnieBelle - I've heard complaints around the office regarding the high price of straw bales. I work for a local builder and we get invoices from landscapers that use straw and bill us for it.

Honeybee, I believe it. Then, one of those big bags of peat moss was almost $12.00 at HD. I'm grumbling a lot! :)

$12.00!!!! I'm in sticker shock!

Holy moly, $9 for a bale of straw?? I think I'm going to stick with using the grass clippings from our lawn for mulch!

That is a ridiculous price for straw. A top quality bale of hay, suitable for feed horses, goes for less than $4 here. That's about a 60# bale.

Oops, I was wrong. It was only $8.15 for the straw ($7.50 plus tax) so I guess I should have said $8.00 :) Still, I was expecting around $4.00, and this was at a farm store that caters to farmers and ranchers, rather than one of the big box stores, so I expected reasonable prices. I think I'm more upset about the peat moss. I haven't used it in over 10 years and only bought it now for my new lasagna bed. Surprised that I used half the package for 2 - 3 inches in a 3 X 12 row. This was one of those large rectangular packs and maybe I'm remembering wrong, but it sure seems like those things used to be packed a whole lot tighter and lasted a whole lot longer. Oh well, at least my pretty potato plants make me all smiley-faced!

You'll be more smiley face when you scratch out those first potatoes. Good luck with your potatoes. The difference in our seasons is that I planted mine in March and have already had to dig them.

Jim, I could have, maybe should have planted mine in March but you know how that goes. Wow, I can't believe you're already harvesting. Even if I'd planted when you did, I wouldn't expect to harvest for a long while yet. I planted yukon golds, Idahos and reds and despite the late start, I expect to get a fairly good crop. I haven't veggie gardened in several years but when I did I had a much smaller potato patch one year and was really pleased with the results. In fact, was still finding a tater here and there a couple of years later. What a nice surprise!

I hope you have good luck with your potatoes.

Mine did pretty good. I planted them to grapple because that is how I like them the best. I gave away most but had to dry and store some.

Here's my potato harvest from old washing machine tubs. Planted Yukons, Kennebecs, Red Fingers, and Purple Vikings on February 14th. The Purple Vikings and Red Fingers were planted in 20-gallon SmartPots. The Purple Vikings are still growing.

These are the Yukon Golds...

Linda

The Kennebecs...

The growing process...

gymgirl - I had to look twice at your photo. The size of those containers is deceptive. You must have an outlet for old washing machine tubs?

My dad would be very proud of you, he loved growing potatoes.

Bee,
The tubs are standard size washer tubs, although one on the end is a bit taller! Notice where the leaves begin is the top of the washer tub.

No outlet. Just a DH who keeps his eye out for me!

Next time, will experiment with stagger planting seed potatoes VERTICALLY in the tubs for potentially bigger harvest. Will post results of experiment.

Hugs!

Way to go Gymgirl, where there is a will there is a way. You guys have proved to me that only lazyness leads to hunger. So many of you raise veggies in containers right in the middle of a city, it is an inspiration to me. I have always lived in the country with more room than will. You'd be surprized how many rural people never plant a thing. I know because they are always hinting to me for produce. I share with the older ones but these younger people need to take part of their play time and plant a garden.

Bro. Jim,
I have a girlfriend who has a saying: "A bought lesson is a taught lesson."

Since the younger people are too lazy to get out and work, make they pay for YOUR hard work.

Set up a veggie stand with your excess (past what you give to the seniors) for sale. After the young people pay you for fresh produce, the light bulbs will start to come on (maybe) and they'll put you out of business. But, what a way to grow, er go?!!!! With new seed money!

Linda

P.S. I'm a "shopportunimist!"

I was raised by parents who gardened, they were raised by parents who gardened. My hubby was raised by parents who gardened. My children were raised by parents who gardened.

Do you think my children would garden? Not a chance! (sigh) It's just too easy to buy it fresh (and tasteless) from the supermarket.

My daughter lives a half mile from me, we even work together in the same office, I offer fresh produce to her all the time, but she's afraid it might be contaminated! (Maybe she was switched at birth.)

She did attempt to grow some flowers and asked my advice. When I told her what to do, she said "That's too much trouble," and stuck them in the clay/dirt straight from the pot they came in, and then was surprised when they died!

With the situation the world economy is in, everyone better learn how to raise a garden and how to preserve it. I'm not a pessimist, but I believe there is coming a time when America is going to be hungry. When you think that there is only about a 3 day supply of food nation wide it makes me glad I know a little about raising stuff. My son-in-law is convinced that a crash is coming and has built special storage building and has stockpiled a years supply of food. Worked a system to keep it cycled so it doesn't go out of date. He also took up gardening last year for the first time in his life.

Honey,
My mom was the original Martha Stewart. Started sewing her own clothes at 12. Folks came to our house during the holidays just to see the decorating.

Four girls. Not one of us sews.

Although, I came to see the light, just before she died. She came to stay with me for 30 days that last January, to teach me how to sew a craft project she and I loved to do.

The knowledge was a gift I treasured, although I only stayed at it for a short while after she died. But, I took copious notes (drat I didn't videotape the process), and am gearing up to get back to the project. If God is willing, and I am obedient, I could generate enough income to pay off my mortgage before I retire. That's my goal...

Linda

(Keep the faith. Your kids might just drop a seed or two before it's over...)

Jim - I hope you are wrong. My hubby feels the same way you do. Personally, I'm a pragmatist falling somewhere between an optimist and a pessimist. I try not to be concerned with things I cannot change.

Gymgirl - my mother was a "dress maker" she made wedding/bridesmaids dresses, as well as my dresses, pillows, and all kinds of other stuff. Personally, I hate to sew, although I can.

On the other hand, my mother could not make things grow. She used to say I could make a dead stick grow! My dad and I would plant the garden, she would pick what grew. You're probably thinking I came by my growing skills from my dad - except he was actually my step-dad. My "real" dad was a pilot for the British Royal Air Force! (RAF)

Well HoneybeeNC, I'd have to say that I am an optimist. My optimism is realistic and I have no confidence in our government as it stands now. I am optimistic about American people, they are a hearty race, and when they going gets tough, they bunckle down and figure a way. My chief optimistic view point is in the Good Lord. He has promised to supply my daily needs and I trust Him to keep His Word.