I have grown Rose Finn, Austrian Crescent, Banana, and French Fingerling. I love them all but the Banana were the most prolific. They can be prepared just like any regular potato. Fingerling potatoes varieties seem to be popular with gourmet chefs in general as well as for mashed potatoes. I also use them in potato salad since they are small so I can use the whole potato. They take longer to peel for mashed potato but are delicious. Or leave the skins on and mash them with it. Here is a recipe I found by googling "Fingerlings for mashed potatoes" for Garlic mashed Potatoes. http://www.ebfarm.com/Recipes/recipeView.aspx?rID=74 The recipe states that Fingerlings are one kind recommended for this recipe. If you plant a mix of white and red Fingerlings they look very pretty in a salad or on a dinner plate since they are small.
I only grow yellow potatoes other than Yukon Gold since I can buy that and other varieties in any grocery store. I try to grow varieties I can't get locally. My favorites are Bintje, German Butterball, Agria, Desiree and Yellow Finn. Romance is a red with yellow flesh. Yellow fleshed potatoes make a nice buttery mashed potato - Yum!
This message was edited Dec 23, 2009 3:02 PM
potatoes under straw
Gard, you've been a wealth of knowledge here. Thanks for all the info!
^^_^^_^^
Linda
I think I'm going to try the Yukon Golds, some kind of red, and some kind of purple. We'll see what I can find to grow! LOL
Hi everyone, I just love following along on this thread. My Grandfather was growing taters for as long as I can remember. One of the parts of the planting was to cut the potatoes the day before planting, then dipped them in wood ash, and left to dry. Very few rotted, which I attribute to the ash and drying. Ric
I got a nice bonus a couple of weeks ago, our daughter called up and ask if she could get rid of their used halloween/fall decorations here, 2 bales of clean straw. Now how can I get her to decorate with a truck load of mushroom soil? LOL Ric
This message was edited Dec 22, 2009 1:33 PM
Gymgirl, I have an order in with Ronniger's as well. My first experience with growing potatoes! I've been looking at those smart pots. I'm kind of leaning towards the 30 gal. containers. Can someone please advise?
Oooo, thanks for the fingerling suggestions! Can't wait to pick some out. My catalogs aren't here yet, but I can check them out online.
I, too, am trying to order some potato seeds from Ronniger's. One of the cultivars that I want is out of stock, so I am working with one of their sales persons to find a replacement. I need mine sent now because none of them do well in the high 90's, which we will have by June here. So I am planning to grow them now while the weather is cooler. The sun here is still very warm and intense even in winter. And our winters are usually mild. I think I can pretty much grow most plants here during the cooler months, too. Probably better as they don't get fried by the heat of summer. I am doing containers, so can move them indoors if the temps drop too low. :-) I love potatoes and could literally live on them. Wonderful with butter, a little shredded cheddar cheese, and a drop of sour cream. Steaming hot! Yum! My favorite food!
I too am really enjoying following this thread and will try to grow my potatoes next summer under more straw. I planted them too deeply in the soil this year and then put straw on top so I still had to dig pretty deep to harvest. I am anxious to hear how you all do with the Smart pots. I used an old laundry basket this summer for some fingerlings and the results were OK but I need to make bigger holes in the bottom for drainage. We had the wettest and coldest summer in many years with Late Blight so the straw stayed too wet in the basket. I have completely cleaned it out because of possible late blight and will drill bigger drainage holes. I think recycled laundry baskets filled with potting soil and straw have real possibilities if I can get it right!!
I was reading about potato culture on another site and it was mentioned that early potatoes will only set one flush of tubers near the bottom by the seed piece and a lot of extra hilling is useless. It said the mids and lates are what will continue growing and making new tubers if you keep hilling multiple times. When I think about it, it makes sense. Have any of you noticed this habit? I looked at the ronningers site and they list the early, mid and lates separately but I didn't see any mention of this issue.
That's an interesting question, twiggybuds! (BTW - I love your screen name!) I am curious to hear any answers to your question. Growing potatoes in 2010 will be a first for me too.
Interesting observation, Twiggybuds. I always plant the Bintje and have never noticed that it produced differently from the rest. In fact it is an excellent producer and delicious. I will pay more attention this year!!
You know twiggy I read that somewhere as well and now I'm curious too! Because of our summer heat I have a short window for growing taters. They pretty much need to be harvested by the first of July (on a good year - lol) so I was considering succession plantings of early varieties. It's would be nice to know if the hilling is necessary or not.
If they are grown in a raised bed or container, do they still have to be hilled? I know with the growbags, that you fold them down and then unfold and add soil as the potatoes grow. But how does it work with containers or raised beds?
Becky - I garden in raised beds and have the ends "boxed" off from the rest of the bed with only a few inches of soil in the boxes. What I am planning to do (if necessary) is plant the potatoes and add soil as they grow, thus hilling them so to speak. However, if this is not necessary for the early varieties then I will use those boxes to plant as I would any other seed;o) Hopefully someone who knows for sure an answer to twiggy's question will chime in...
Yes that info is very important for me as well. I have another question that's bugging me. I know people plant potatoes here in January. Is this because they're just in a hurry for fresh ones or because they have to beat the heat? I know it is hotter than the Devil's drawers by July in Phoenix so maybe my window isn't as short as I thought.
Ronningers says early taters will make in 60 days. I know I've never gotten results that fast. But there's no telling what kind of taters I've been planting since they come unlabeled from the grocery store.
twiggybuds - I was told in an email that tators don't grow well in temps above the middle-high 90's, so that is why I am wanting to start some now or very soon. It gets hot here by the middle to the end of June.
Here are some articles about growing tators in containers (and it mentions hilling):
http://www.container-gardening-tips.com/container-vegetable-gardening/growing-potatoes-in-containers.html (This site explains the reason for hilling. It sounds like a 5 gallon container is not going to be big enough. It also talks about why supermarket sold potates do not make very good seed potatoes. A very good article!
http://www.vegetablegardener.com/item/4400/the-benefits-of-growing-potatoes-in-containers
This message was edited Dec 24, 2009 3:17 PM
I know it is hotter than the Devil's drawers by July in Phoenix - lol twiggy!!
This will be my first attempt at growing potatoes in Phoenix, but here is what I've learned so far...
Jan and Feb are optimal planting times. Potatoes should be able to withstand temps to about 32°, though I assume that is for mature plants. They can be set out here as early as Jan 1st with protection and as late as mid-March, though I think that would be pushing it if you tried to grow late varieties. Also I am told red potatoes do best here. As far as what varieties that I don't know yet. I'm planning to get my potatoes from one of the growers at the Farmers' Market downtown. They are great and love to share their experience, so hopefully I can get some good advice as well as some taters that will be successful here. With the right microclimate you could possibly harvest here into July, but it's so dang hot who wants to be out there pickin' taters - lol?!?!
I plan to grow what I know has been successful here this first time out. Then I'll branch out and push the limits a bit. I love new taters! Those days to maturity they give you I've never had one really close - lol. I use it as a ballpark figure to plan succession crops.
This message was edited Dec 24, 2009 1:14 PM
Becky - if I can plant early January you should be able to plant now!!
locakelly - I would plant now, but don't have the seed potatoes yet. And unfortunately, the red potatoes that I want are not shipped until March. :-/ But I do plan on ordering Russet Silverton, Yukon Gold, and am seriously considering trying some fingerlings, too. They will be shipped to me in January for immediate planting. I guess I need to get some bigger containers! LOL! Trash cans or large plastic bins are said to work well. Oh! I just thought about something. I have some really tall and large containers that I am not using. Perfect!!! They even have wheels on them! :-)
Hmmm ... I have several of those storage bins that I don't have a use for anymore. I might even use another one for planting some of the other veggies I am trying! And they do have lids and they are deep enough to add some trellises that I bought on sale at the end of the season. :-) It pays to look around at what you already have on hand! :-)
My tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, scallions, and one of the bean bushes have already sprouted in my south window in styrofoam cups. I will drag out the bins and add some potting mix and compost and transplant all those babies in the bins and the 5 gallon containers I am also using. :-)
Good ideas on reusing Becky - lol. Good luck on your potatoes! Can't wait to see how everyone does it!
Kelly the farmer's market is brilliant except it won't work for me. By the time the market cranks up again it will be too late. Might be good for collecting names for next time.
Becky, in winter 2008 I found 2 half rotten red potatoes and cut the good parts for planting. One didn't make it and the other produced about 2 lbs of nice med & small taters in a 3 gallon flower pot. This was amazing to me and I've been trying to repeat it ever since. Fall 2008 I planted too late and a freeze got them. Spring 2009 they were beautiful and then disease got them. Fall 2009....they came up and never thrived. Then they started dying. They were russets and I don't think they like my climate at all so that's what I'm blaming. I'm a very tater challenged gardener but I'll keep at it.
Twiggybuds - Did you plant them in the same spot? I have heard that you have to rotate crops because of bugs and disease. That is the reason that container gardening might be an advantage. Plus if the weather gets cold, you can bring them indoors in the shed/garage/sunroom to protect them from frost and for them to keep growing. :-) Here, I am very lucky because my winters are pretty mild most of the time. And this is the time that farmers here in Florida plant a lot of their crops. Isn't that something! ... to be planting and growing crops in winter? :-)
Edited to add: Less bugs in winter, too! :-)
This message was edited Dec 24, 2009 5:25 PM
Here is a photo of the white buckets/containers I get for free from the fast food restaurant. I had moved them temporarily to my 3-tiered garden bed. They can be hidden behind shrubs, fences, a shed, whatever ... or re-painted using spray paint developed especially to paint over plastic. Or you could paint a flower scene or veggies on the front of them so you know what is growing in which container. :-)
Yes it is wonderful to be able to grow anything in the winter.
I do try to rotate. I grow so many tomatoes that it is difficult to segregate the peppers and potatoes and to try to avoid reusing the same soil for one of them. I am going to use new soil for the potatoes this year and try to put far from the tomatoes. Those are all kin folks along with egg plants and prone to the same problems. I've read it many times and now I'm a believer.
I have some peppers and 1 tomato in my greenhouse. I'm not really trying for production, just a running start when it warms up. My peppers outside are still alive but that may end tonight. I hate having to carry a lot of stuff in and out but for an early tomato, I'll do it.
My yard looks like a hazardous waste dump right now with lots of yellow leaves. The only way it looks better is when there are lots of fine green plants growing in the spring.
twiggybuds - That 3-tiered bed looks so much nicer now. It is currently home to numerous hybrid daylily plants that I grew from seed this year. I had amazing luck with seed germination in cups. The seeds were an exchange here on DG and I really didn't think many would sprout! Boy! Was I ever surprised! :-) I also plant butterfly and hummingbird plants in that bed to keep the critters happy! That section is in what I call the Butterfly and Hummingbird Zen Garden! LOL! Hummers aren't as common here as in other parts of the USA, but I have a resident female rubythroat who is here all year round guarding my yard! LOL! I always have lots of nectar plants for her as well as a feeder.
I mainly garden for those creatures and host many birds with a single feeder in my backyard as well, but this year I got interested in edible gardening because of the junk sold at the grocery store. Too expensive and the produce is awful. I figured I could grow it cheaper and get better veggies/fruit. So we shall see ...
This message was edited Dec 24, 2009 6:21 PM
That is just gorgeous. The 700 or so daylillies are why my yard looks like a hazardous waste dump right now. The dormants are hideous and of course there are some weeds standing naked in the pots. I'm going to have to hit it soon. If it ever quits raining. If it isn't blowing a freezing Northern. I like to have them all cleaned up and fed by early February. Daylillies are a disease all by themselves and now I prefer to play with vegs.
I have serious issues with all the major food supply in this country. Science reveals new atrocities daily so I try to grow my own. At least I know what goes into it.
Becky - I absolutely love your MGs and your tiered bed... Gorgeous!
twiggy - have to agree with you on the issues with the food supply. Scary what we eat sometimes. That is the main reason I started gardening again - to know what I'm feeding my family!!
I totally agree about the food. I like to raise as much of ours as I can. I'm getting better each season but still have a long way to go. We live in a new place now so I have to get all my beds made before Spring.
Thanks twiggybuds and Kelly! The bed is very easy to build. The lumber is 2" x 6" X 8'. The bottom bed is 8' x 8'. The middle bed is 4' x 4'. And the top is 2' x 2'. So you will need seven 8' boards of which 3 will have to be cut up to size. You just screw the corners together. I filled the bottom bed with lots of compost & good garden soil and then positioned the constructed 4' x 4' bed on top of the soil, then filled that one up and added the last bed on top of it. It really makes a nice display bed.
What is the best fertilizer to use on veggies. I don't have access to aged compost. Would fish emulsion work well?
This message was edited Dec 28, 2009 6:00 PM
Thanks for the specs on the bed Becky! I'm adding it to my honeydo list for the new year - lol...
I use fish emulsion and the veggies love love love it! I like to foliar feed every week to two weeks depending on how fast they're growing. You can also use it as a soil drench and water it in, though I prefer the foliar feed as the plants will absorb the nutrients through the leaves. Another good one I use it called Fish and Poop - lol. It has fish emulsion and guano.
Thanks locakelly! I will definitely pick up some FE. :-) Good luck building that 3-tiered bed. It's very functional for me! :-)
This message was edited Dec 26, 2009 10:01 AM
Chicken poo tea, hmmmm.....and I just got chickens this year! I've used various other manures for poo tea, just didn't think of the chickens. Thanks!
Be a little careful, chicken broth can be a bit hot, but it can spice up your veggies and flowers. I like to feed some of mine to the garden, it's pretty easy since we keep them there. All their roost droppings and the pine shavings we use in the hen house are incorperated right into the garden.Ric
OK, thanks! Made a note of it.
Hey ya'll!
I got my two 20-gallon Smart pots last week, and now I'm waiting on the seed potatoes. From the postings above, looks like I'd better get my veggie soil sifted (it's a personal preference thing...) and into those pots so I can plant those potatoes as soon as they arrive!
I'm gonna take a gamble with our fickle Houston weather. If the spuds can take it down to 32 degrees, I'll just put my tomato trellises down into the bags, and cover them over with sheets. I've done the same with 7 bell pepper plants each time the temps dip, and so far, each one has a bell pepper growing on it, with no damage.
I've got to move forward with my Planket design....
What's the best insulating material/fabric you guys know of besides floating row cover?
I now have a few questions. If I don't have access to ashes, is there something else I can use?
If I have a large container to grow them in (about 3' wide x 4' deep x 4' across) and I divide the container in half using chicken wire, can I grow red potatoes on one side and white (or russet or something) on the other side without them cross-pollinating?
I'll try to get pics of the container tomorrow.
Unless you're going to try to save the potato seeds, which often don't even form, this will not be a problem.
Great! I told my DH that we probably wouldn't have to worry about it!
Here's my container. DH made it out of shipping pallets salvaged from his former workplace. It's 30"wide x 36"long x 30" deep. The bottom has "legs" so it sits off the ground to allow for better drainage.
I'm actually thinking that I could divide the interior into fourths with chicken wire secured to the sides with zip ties.
There are all kinds of holes to allow for good air circulation and drainage.
Here's a shot of the interior as best as I could get it without anything to stand on. Do you think I could successfully divide it into four sections for 4 varieties of potatoes?
IMHO, looks a bit tight for 4 sections. More like divide it in half...did you get my dmail?