I planted my potatoes too late in the spring, I think. I got a few little ones, but not much, and I kinda gave up on them. Yesterday I saw new growth. Is it worth it to leave them be? I was going to rake the spot out, but it isn't really necessary. Is there a chance of new potatoes forming?
Thanks
Potatoes growing again?
Probably not enough time. The frost will kill the tops and they won't amount to anything. Best to clean them out. ☺
Red
*G*. Sigh. Not sure I can do that. Not after I've seen them. They're actually inside a "haybale" corral, so I'm going to experiment. I'll pile them with hay, and should be able to cover them with quilts without touching the tops when/if frost threatens. Considering the way summer went, I think we'll either have no frost "til Christmas (if ever), or it'll frezze solid by the end of October. Think it'll be a toss-up :).
I'll think about it as I wander among the tomatoes giving them an encouraging pep talk...
catmad, you in S.C. frost is weeks maybe even months away. I'd leave the potatoes for the time being. You may get a second crop.
Thanks, Arias, that's the conclusion I've come to :). I don't need the space, and since I didn't get much of a first crop, I'm really hoping for a second. I'm pretty sure I can protect tham from a light frost, so I think it's worth it. I paid enough for the seed potatoes that I'd like to get somehthing back. The few potatoes I did get were good, and fun. I made my family eat blue potatoes, with a bit of squirming *G*.
Does anybody in this forum live in south Florida?
I've greatly expanded by veggie garden this year, and am ready to plant this weekend, and wondering if anyone wants to share experiences?
I have lots of room and looking for unusual things as well as the normal stuff, like experience with different tomatoes, etc.
Michael
Hi Michael,
Go to the Tomatoes Forum, and check out the "we're baaaack" thread. This is the South Florida Tomato Bunch, and they can help you. I used to live in Loxahatchee (Palm Beach County) but the Hurricanes chased me out...
You could start a thread in this forum titled "South Florida Gardening" and get more replies, I think I'm the only one reading this *G*
Margo
catmad,
I plant my potatoes in early November. I put them 12 inches down under leaves and I get nice crop each year. First I dig 12 inches deep them put in Espoma Hollytone mixed in with potting mix 2 inches then 4 inches of leaves over that then the seed potatoes covered with 6 inches of leaves. The leaves begin to compost over the winter and keep the ground warm enough to prevent freezing. If we look like we are going to have deep freeze I cover top with bagged leaves until it warms up again. I have lots of leaves. In past I would let city take them away but now they are to valuable for gardening mulch and other things garden.
Your potatoes might just make it. Give it a try. Here is a link you can read:
http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/williams48.html
DL
Thanks, DL!
I Think I'm going to order some more, and try that. When are they ready for harvest?I bought a tiller yesterday, so it will be MUCH easier to do. Do you have any particular type/variety you like best? I'm mostly looking for "new" potatoes, but open to anything.
thanks for the link, I'm heading there now....
Okay, read the first part (I'm going back), and that's perfect! Pretty much the same area, tho we're a bit warmer. Should work out well, i have plenty of leaves *G*...
Thanks again,
Margo
Margo,
I like Bintje and Maris Piper. They are not easy to find. Have ordered All Blue to try this year. I need new Maris Piper seed for this year also and hope Ronninger's has some when they start shipping in November. I can start getting new potatoes in July with B and MP. Looking at Mountain Rose for this year also. Hands down my fav is Bintje because I totally luvvvvvvvvv french fries:-))
Cheers,
DL
I had All Blue, and got more from them than anyone else:). I took some home to NY with me in July, and made my Mom abd Brother eat them. They were a bit leery, but then bregged to everyone that they ate blue potatoes!. Thanks for the recommendation, Ronningers is where I ordered from, and I need more of their salt, too....
Thanks,
Margo