potato question

i cut my potato seeds 48 hrs ago and now the rain has set in. how long will they hold not being planted. i am afraid of them drying out too much because it looks like i will not be able to plant for another 5 days. any advice?

jcf, it shouldn't hurt to hold them four or five days. I usually cut them and let them lay on the ground/grass,covered with a canvas for a few days before planting. They will grow small sprouts so be careful you don't knock them off before planting.

I certainly agree, Red. I've purposefully cut mine and let them heal over for the skin to harden. And when the eyes begin to sprout, that's even better! They'll get off to a much quicker start that way.

I don't usually cover mine up tho (under a tarp) like Big Red does, I just keep them on a bench out of the rain. When they sprout in the dark they produce long weak sprouts and , like Red says, are easily broken off.

I think you'll be fine, J.!

right now they are in trays on my freezer in the kitchen. should i leave them here or move to a covered area outside

I imagine it's plenty warm enuff in Ga to keep them safe outside.

going to freeze tonight so still in my kitchen

I am in 7b GA, and my last frost date is March 28th I think? So yours should be coming up soon-you could always cover them on frosty nights. I did that last year-they even got hit with frost one night and were OK-but they were already a few inches tall. I am no expert though-just telling ya how it went for me last year with my red sodas! Mine were also below ground-but this year I am trying Horseshoe's "on top" way.

Jenks, you gonna mulch em good with leaves or something? If so, I'm jealous...I never have enuff leaves anymore to suit me!

It's true,JCF...if you have to plant them out they'll be fine if they come up and you cover them. I've even had my get knocked back from a freeze before. It killed the tops but new life sprang back again from the seed spud. I doubt it could handle too many times of that tho.

i wasn't worried about planting them out. i am worried about them drying too much since i already cut them and now it is too wet to plant but thanks for the info

I don't have leaves either horseshoe, I need some! I used straw last year. I have dense clay soil-red too-so I am constantly ammending it.
Sorry we couldn't help jcf.....if they've already healed over their cuts, I'd put them in a plastic bag. maybe a mist or two?????Never been there and done that yet.....

sunny today and 60. finally able to start tilling the garden. pl;anting on friday. 65 tomorrow and 70 on friday. yipppeeee spring is coming!!!!!!!!!!1