Learning by reading and Doing-- Potatoes

20 years ago

Well, I am learning to grow potatoes. The first thing I did wrong was to order from Pinetree. I thought that because I ordered early they would come early and by pleading with them for an Earlier Delivery that ... Well, by the time they got here it was May with is LATE for western Washington. So I will not do that agian. Nice prices -- poor deliver timing.

I started all my my pototes by first letting them develop eyes like in Joy Larkcom books,

I got some kinekbecs local which was a good idea and they are doing good in Tires. They aren't doing good in black plastic bags (per Joy's books).

The Yokon Gold is from PineTree is doing Good in tires.

The Carole a german one from PineTree Rotted on me. I think I planted too deep -- the books say 4 inches. so I did that. This was a change -- before I planted so the eyes just barely saw daylight and then started adding dirt a little at a time then straw. I think I overwatered too. Being new to growing I have the Beginners Motto. If it doesn't look like it is doing well -- give it more water. I got tired of waiting tonight -- so started looking for them and found a bunch of rot.

Thanks for any thoughts:

Paul98037

Comment (1)

Lois1
20 years ago
They need a root-crop fert like 6-10-10 ie, the last 2 numbers high with trace elements.

To acidify soil if yours need it, periodically add vinegar water [about 1/4 C vinegar to a bucket of water [about 2 1/2gal size]. A bucket would cover 5-6 plants. Repeat since rain would delute it; in clay about every 6-8 wks, sand about every 2 wks. Acid soil prevebts Scab.

Generally, to keep them from getting waterlogged, straw is added to cover them rather than soil to keep them in the dark [they claim the green from light is toxic to people.]

Now if you really want to play- choose 4 to test and 4 as controls. Using the theory that cutting back stimulates root growth, pinch your test plants back about 10% 3 or 4 times during the season. When you dig, take them to the grocery store and weigh each batch -all 8.
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