HOW TO GROW POTATOES - A TUTORIAL DISCUSSION...

Hi, Ya'll!
We Southerners have just about finished harvesting our home grown potatoes. We held FOUR threads worth of discussions on "how to grow potatoes," and covered everything from ordering certified seed potatoes, using the ones already sprouting in the pantry, "chitting," dipping in ashes, when to plant, how to plant, and what to plant them in.

We covered hilling with everything from potting mix/soil to straw, hay, and leaves. We even figured out that the diseases we thought we all had were just the vines dying back as they should, letting us know it was about time to harvest our bounty. And, we had such great fun keeping up with each other's progress through the pictures we posted along the way!

So, rather than re-inventing the wheel, how about ya'll taking advantage of our discoveries and benefit from what we learned? Here are all four threads, starting from the beginning. I promise that just about every question you have is answered somewhere here.

And, well, if you don't find your answer, just holler -- we'll leave a phone line open for yah!

Godspeed and Good Harvest!

#1 Veggie Gardening: Potatoes Under Straw/Leaves
Part #1 http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/937306
Part #2 http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1067896/
Part #3 http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1083163/
Part #4 http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1092018/

i had a question about planting in straw along time ago on one of these threads and as happens so often with me, real life got in the way and i couldn't respond. i can't find that thread now. i do apologize though for not responding.

i did try the straw method, it works for me!

here are my results, i had 3 three Ozark Golds that died back so i thought i would see whats going on underground.

mmmmmmm....taters!

Thanks, Gymgirl! Definitely going to reference this thread when I go plant my potatoes!!

PANDORA! Oh, my, what a box you've opened!

That is a HUGE harvest from straw!

PLEASE go post that pic on the "Show us your harvests" and the 4th "Potatoes Under Straw/Leaves" threads. And, be prepared for many questions on how you grew such a great bounty of spuds. We would truly like to learn from your growing contribution to our discussion. Several others were considering trying bales, and your obvious know-how would be a great primer for us beginners.

BTW, did you grow totally in the straw bales or did you grow any in the dirt/containers?

Linda

I would love to have a harvest like that. I'm thinking of getting some more Purple Vikings and Rio Grande Russets to plant for the fall. We'll dig a trench and cover with straw.

hi Gymgirl,
Thanks! that little harvest was from 4 plants!
When i planted, i dug down maybe 6 inches and put the eye in. then i totally covered it with straw and kept watered. I did have to add more straw. I guess you could say that they were planted in dirt and grew in straw. :)
Was very easy to harvest, and i was surprised how clean the potatoes were when i dug them. By no means am i an expert on growing ...this was the first year for me to grow potates but i am glad i did, it was super easy to do. The only prob is, how am i going to store all those spuds???? Thinking about canning them, i dont have a good place for a true root cellar.

You can store them in a dark cool place. Do you have a pantry or even a spot in a closet? As long as you don't forget them, you'll be okay.

How long does it take to grow potatoes? My first time to plant potatoes. thanks. Belle

It depends on the variety.

Anywhere from about 60-120 days, depending on variety and growing conditions...

They are in my pantry now, can't let them go to waste!

Few red potatoes sprouted so I planted them and now I have a lot of growth. How do I know they are ready? Belle

Belle,
Note the number of days and then watch your vines. The indicator is supposed to be that when the vines make flowers, it's a signal the vine is channeling energy into producing the spuds underground, and it will stop growing.

We newbies who experienced this were concerned that our vines had some dreaded disease, because they started yellowing and dying back shortly after they flowered. But, as we learned, it was just the potatoes doing what they were supposed to be doing.

I still have a 20-gallon SmPt of Purple Vikings to be harvested, probably in the morning if I can get up earlier than the heat.

Linda

Thank you !!! Belle

Belle,
Just a word that the DTM are only relative timeframes, as Kelley said. My Purple Vikings were planted on February 14th, so today makes what? 131 days. I didn't harvest mine at exactly 100 days or so because the vines were still very robust and green, I was in no hurry, and it was too hot out!

I know I'm taking a chance that something ugly is going on down in the soil, but I'm praying there'll be a GREAT and WONDERFUL surprise when I do harvest (tomorrow????)

Linda