Yes I did! Thanks!
It's 30" long, maybe I could do 3 sections?? I'm trying to maximize my space! LOL The container will go smack dab in the middle of the backyard (& garden plot). I'd like to take either sections of cattle panels, fencing of some sort, or chicken wire and put on each side on the outside. Then, I'll plant peas and let the peas vine up the sides. Think that will work?
potatoes under straw
Ok, Steph. You've got 7.5 square feet of growing space per your dimensions. Below is the recommended growing schedule from the Smart Pots website (link to potato growing page is below).
Plant: Plant one seed potato for each 3 gallons of Smart Pot container. For the #15 container, for example, plant 5 seed potatoes. For the #10 container, plant 3 or 4 seed potatoes. Place the seed potatoes evenly in the container.
http://www.smartpots.com/growing-potatoes-in-containers
I agree with gymgirl, and I don't think you need to separate them. Plus if the separation material is chicken wire, the vines will just grow through that......nice job though. I *love* innovative husbands.
I have used a washing machine tub for my potatoes, drain holes all in the bottom. Unfortunately I got zero potatoes but am going to try again this year. Will plant earlier, like mid-January. I ordered from Ronniger's - thanks - to whoever posted that link.
I am so totally confused now! LOL My math isn't the best, but that's okay. I'll plant 2 varieties in the blue "thing" (built to be a composter) and find something else for the other 2 varieties.
I'm ordering Blue Viking, Kennebec, either Red Lasoda or Red Norland, and a fingerling variety just for fun.
Thanks, MaryMcP, I posted the Ronniger link. That is one GORGEOUS potato pot!
Oooooooooooooooooooooohhhh!!!!
I HAVE TWO WASHING MACHINE TUBS!!!!!!!! YIPPEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!! They should work famously! Although.....hmmmmmmmm...hold that mule.......
They are metal, right? Which conducts both cold and heat....
Ok, all you science gurus. Please comment on what a metal container will do regarding heat and cold as it relates to the potato vines?
This message was edited Dec 30, 2009 3:06 PM
Nice tub, McP! I'm planning to plant early to mid January. I'll get my taters from the Farmer's Market - lol...
Um, it's official. This thread is exactly ONE YEAR OLD. Happy B'day spuds!
Well, the tub will keep in the heat and spread it to the dirt and likewise with the cold, right? You could maybe paint the tub white to reduce the heat effect. OR you could plant some things around it to block out the heat of the sun, maybe something to attract bees or some kind of herbs or something. Just thinking aloud here....
So, for growing potatoes (other than sweeties), heat bad, cool/cold good?
Yes. Once the heat of the summer gets here, they'll die back. Remember, they grow lots of taters in places like Idaho and Colorado where the temps are much cooler than ours.
BTW, got my taters ordered! Put down my shipping date as Jan. 17th so they'll be here in plenty of time for Valentine's Day. Now I just have to light a fire under the DH to get out and get the beds ready!
Great news!
Now I can add "dumping the DHs disgusting asparagus ferns and wandering jews outta MY washing machine baskets" to my weekend TODO list!
"I'm gonna need a longer notepad..."
I was on the phone today with Ronniger's. I have been going back and forth on which of their potato seeds to try for my climate. I am also growing mine in containers. I am experimenting with several different containers. 5 gallon buckets, 5 gallon grow bags, and a 10 gallon planter/container. Too expensive to amend my ground soil. Full of nematodes! Ugh! So most of my plants are grown in containers and do so nicely.
I ordered 1 lb. of 4 different potatoes which will be delivered to me in January for a little extra in shpg costs. They are very interested in how mine do in containers. So I will be keeping them posted. This is an experiment for me to see if I can actually grow them here and also doing them in containers. They will be planted after they arrive as the weather here is perfect for the next few months for growing them. I guess potatoes are a cool weather plant. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens. I'll either get some decent potatoes, some skimpy ones, or some really nice vines! LOL!
Hey Kelly - wherever I go, there you are!!! Nice seeing you over here. I shoulda thought of the farmer's market for getting my potato starts. It's just so easy to order on-line. McLazy here. I also should find a farmer's market near me.....I'll put that on my list and make an effort to visit weekly.
Yes, the metal tub will conduct both the heat and the cold. I could set the tub inside something I guess but I just don't think it gets too cold for the taters here. I'll post my results when I have something to report. I'll probably put some in the ground as well - I have garden space available.
Happy New Year to All. Let's kick 2009 out the door and start again!!!
I am sooooooooooooooooooooo excited!
Last night I made a whole list of things to get started on first thing in the morning! I've decided to spend a quiet New Year's Eve at HOME, cause anywhere I'd go to celebrate with friends and family is a good distance away, and driving home alone after midnight's not what I wanna do anymore.
It's a pretty long and exhausting list. Good thing we have a long weekend (Friday AND Saturday)!
McP - I go to the downtown market. Maybe you can make a day trip out of it since you live further north than me - lol... They are open Wed 4-8pm and Sat 8am-1pm (noon in summer). They have neat stuff and out little Yankee likes to go and see all his doggy pals down there.
Here's to great gardening in 2010!!
Linda, I think you have wayyyy too much energy! Wanna share? I'm off all next week and plan to spend some time in the garden. I have dead tomato plants to yank out and then we need to begin the expansion project. Woot!
I think I'm also going to go ahead and start the winter sowing, which will be a whole month ahead of last year!
Steph, You say I've got 2 much energy, then proceed 2 list all the projects YOU plan on doing! Why do the terms "skillet" and "pot" come 2 mind? I'd give anything 2 spend a week in my yard with some help! Hmmmmm............^^_^^
Well, a lot of what gets done depends on the ol' back, the weather, and a willing helper (DH)! LOL For sure, I need to pull out the dead (frozen) tomato plants and get those cleared out. Need to get some more compost turned in, need to mark off the new plot and get the husband working on that. Also need to plant my jugs. That means a trip to the local nursery....very dangerous! LOL
Steph what you gonna get at the nursery? Aren't you sowing seeds? LMK if I missed something here!
I'm going to get some potting soil for the WS containers and onion plants if they have them. If they don't have onions, I'll order them online.
Oooopoooooh.
Now they're forecasting "frigid" temps for the last half of next week. Ugh!
I've certainly had all the winter I need already. It seems there's always a cold wind and I have to put on so many clothes I can't move.
Or, you look like the Michelin man! I'd like some "normal" temps, which aren't quite so frigid.
O.K I have a question, instead of straw could I use alfalfa hay instead, I was thinking of using a mixture of alfalfa hay and composted manure to grow the potatoes, I know alfalfa hay is more expensive but I had to buy some to amend my new built raise bed so I have lots more left over. I also decided to buy a smart pot to grow my potatoes in, anybody has experience with these?
You can pretty much use whatever you want, leaves, hay/straw (one of those had weed seeds in it, though, I think), or compost.
I got an email notification today that my potatoes are on the way!! I told them my plant date was mid-Feb and asked for them to not be shipped until mid-Jan. Guess they'll get here in plenty of time!
That will give them plenty of time to sprout nicely!!! LOL
Yes Stepahine don't worry, I alredy have mine sprouting and it will be a good month before I can plant them out so I am sure they'll have big long roots by then.
Thank you so much for the response I'll probably use what I have which is the hay and see how they do, hopefully I wont get too many weeds.
This message was edited Jan 5, 2010 8:41 AM
LOL! Now I'll just have to watch for the delivery guy so that I can rescue them from the frigid temps so they don't freeze sitting on my front porch.
Mine are on the way too!
Are ya'll doing the "sit em in the water with the toothpicks" thingy to make shoots, are just cutting, sealing, and sowing?
Steph,
I haven't forgotten the ashes, either. Will post this week. Carminator, you need ashes, too?
No I just placed them on a cool corner in my laudry area, on an egg carton, then I placed a carboard box on top so it will also be dark. They are sprouting really good, never thought that they will sprout so fast. As far as the ashes I've heard that some pople do it and some don't so since I don't have any I'll just try this year without.
I did get my smart pot today in the mail, where I am going to grow my potatoes, I really hope it works.
No problem, Linda. I'm in no hurry for them.
Linda sorry I did not realize you were offering, do the ashes really make a difference?
I have no clue! It was posted above that someone's grandfather sweared by dusting the cut potatoes in wood ashes there would be no fungus or something like that.
I just happen to have a fireplace full of wood ashes, at the right time...I'm hoping my seeds are small enough they won't need cutting at all and I can plant them whole...
In another thread, someone posted that you can use sulfur in place of the wood ashes to prevent the potatoes from rotting.
By the way, how much do you guys pay for a bale of straw?
Carmin,
How long will you let them sprout before you plant them in your Smartpot? Also, what're you filling your SP up with? This'll be a good experiment, since we're all planting out at the same time, in the same containers!
Hey, Gang!
Lookie what I just found again!
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1790/
Linda what a wonderful article thank you for sharing, :) I am trying to follow the farmers almanac as to when to plant my taters, according to them a good day is the 10th of February. I am not sure whether my potatoes will last this long in storage though so if I see they get too leggy my planting dates are around January the 15th. I was thinking of using a mixture of compost and alfalfa hay since that is what I've got but you can use straw as well. I do have an organic fertilizer but don't remember the NPK. I will probably have to cut mine since they are a little big, I bought them from an organic market we have here and unfortunately they did not have small ones, but will let them cure for at least 2-3 days, as far as putting sulful or ashes is it even necesary? Will the potatoes rot if you don't put any sulfur or ashes?
I have never used ashes or sulfur after cutting the potatoes and have had very few rot. I'm not saying it isn't a good idea and maybe in hotter climates like yours it is more necessary. Just make sure you cure them for a few days so the the cut ends do really dry before planting. Also if they get too leggy it will make it more difficult to cut them into smaller pieces and not break off a "leg". You would probably be wise to cut them now before they get any "leggier". I usually cut them when the eyes first begin to sprout. It's so much easier then! Thanks for the great link, Gymgirl! By the time I ever get my taters in (usually May) I will have some great acts to follow! You will all be experts in planting under various types of mulch and we Northerners will learn from your lead!!
ooooo - thanks for the link to that article by Jan. Very helpful.
The ashes or sulfur are only needed in wet conditions. Here in Arizona I don't use it because mold is not an issue with planing potatoes. If you live in a damp climate, you should 'cauterize' (sp?) the cut ends to prevent rot. At least that's how it was explained to me last year.
Good luck all. My seed potatoes shipped on Monday!