Blogger Hummelstown, PA on Jul 31, 2012

How to Grow and Harvest Gourmet Potatoes!

Can't afford supermarket prices for purple, red and blue potatoes? Try growing them yourself! It is easier than you might think!

Simply save the scraps of your potatoes when prepping and plant them (even this late in July!) for a second crop of potatoes this fall!

http://www.anestforallseasons.com/2012/07/ga...

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Gathering Potatoes

11 Comments

Dee W Rock Creek, OH

Your potatoes are so pretty-may even get my grandchilden to eat them! Did I understand that you plant and harvest potatoes 2x's a year? And honestly, I can't remember when I have had a potato eye. We either eat them too fast or maybe they are a hybrid or something? I would like to try my hand at potatoes-maybe next year..

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
A Nest for All Seasons Hummelstown, PA

I think you probably eat them too fast :) I've heard that supermarket pots are sprayed to keep them from sprouting, but I have NEVER found a potato that won't sprout eventually. Just keep it dark and let it do its thing!
I do harvest twice a year, particularly when we have an early and milkd spring like we did this year. I had potatoes in the ground at the very beginning of march and they are coming up again ...»
right now for a fall harvest. The summer rains are helping tremendously! I think this double dipping method probably only works in zones 6+.

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 0
Dee W Rock Creek, OH

Thank-you for the inspiration, I am going to try potatoes next year.

on Jul 31, 2012 · Like 1
Tanya P Canada

I bought a bag of seed potatoes this spring and planted them. We have lots of growth above the ground, but no blossoms and no potatoes underneath. We live in zone 6. So disappointing.

on Aug 01, 2012 · Like 0
A Nest for All Seasons Hummelstown, PA

That's weird Tanya - I wonder why? Did you use a nitrogen rich fertilizer? That might be the reason for all the green, but no potatoes. Also, check them all because sometimes there are duds with just a few spuds while a random one has tons of huge ones. Wishing you luck Tanya!!! :)

on Aug 01, 2012 · Like 0
Tanya P Canada

We used a 5-10-10. I will go hunting underground and check them all out! :) Thanks!

on Aug 01, 2012 · Like 2
Sharron W Memphis, TN

Ok just a word of caution for all of you new to potato growing...Don't plant them within five feet of any acid loving plant that you care about. We had Mature five year old blueberry bushes and my hubby's dad planted one seed potato at the base and within a week it was dead, fully loaded with blueberries. the same is true if you grow elephant ears, don't plant them anywhere near plants that love acid, your acid loving plant will die in no time...

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 1
Dee W Rock Creek, OH

@Sharon-thanks for the warning but I ws planting mine in a gabage can-heard that works really well and this way won't have any problems with other plants. Any ideas on if it is too late for any this year?

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 1
A Nest for All Seasons Hummelstown, PA

Dee - is rock creek northern or southern Ohio? If you are in the Cincy or Columbus area, I would think you have enough time, particularly if they are warm in a black trash can. I wouldn't buy seed potatoes, but it is worth saving the ends of potatoes you are eating :) I love this thread btw -- hard to find people excited about potatoes ;)

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 0
Sharron W Memphis, TN

@Dee What A Nest said....I would think you've got time...don't forget the drain holes...you don't want them to rot.... Here there was a big trend for a while of growing them in stacked tires....so you could harvest one tires worth at a time...but since tires contain so many chemicals I never thought that was a good idea...especially since I know they use potatoes to clean up environmental hazard spills....Still the layering principle is worthwhile....a layer of potato starts and a layer of ...»
dirt, as soon as you see leaves come through the soil, another layer of potato and another layer of dirt and repeat until the container is full, and then harvest what you need taking out some of the dirt so the next layer will be closer to the top....or harvest all at once by dumping the container...

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 1
Dee W Rock Creek, OH

@A Nest- Rock Creek is about 25 miles from Lake Erie (very north.) I am thinking I am still going to try it-my neighblor has a potatoe with eyes, she laughed when I asked for it.
@ Sharron- I think I will stick with the garbage can and thanks for mentioning the drainage holes-wouldn't have thought of that.
I've cut off the eyes today so should be ready to plant by the weekend-- fingers crossed!

on Aug 02, 2012 · Like 2

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How to Grow and Harvest Gourmet Potatoes!

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