It was a busy, busy weekend around here and I have tons to show you....but I have to get outside before the rain comes to give my grass the first cut of the season.
Spring is well and truly here now, isn't it? I love it!!
But before I head out I wanted to give you a little peek at one of the things I was up to this weekend....and also give you a tip on an easy peasy way to grow your own potatoes!
Clearly I was a busy lady this weekend, which is par for the course for me.
And I'll share more on that big project I undertook during the week.
But right now I want to show you one of the simplest things I did this weekend - plant potatoes.
I know what you're thinking, how can planting potatoes be easy peasy?
Well, it can if you use the cheaters method.
Like I did.
Yup, anything for an easy peasy life.
Ok, here we go - you start with two bags that have good drainage.
I actually bought these heavy duty potato bags from Gardeners Edge but you can use something different for sure. They just have to be large and sturdy and drain well. Potatoes don't like to sit in soggy soil.
Next you get your seed potatoes....and please don't use potatoes from the supermarket because you will have poor results. Supermarket potatoes are treated with something that makes them not sprout. And that's definitely not what we want here!
We want true seed potatoes.
I ordered mine through Johnny's Selected Seeds when I ordered the rest of my seeds.
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I chose a variety called Pinto Gold because of the description:
Bred by the University of Maine, Pinto Gold is an excellent gourmet potato with red skin and splashy yellow eyes. The smooth, buttery-yellow flesh is delicious. Tubers are somewhat irregular and range from oval to fingerling shapes. Excellent yield and storage potential.
That last line really got to me - excellent yield and storage potential. If I'm only growing one variety of potato, I want it to be a real workhorse.
Basically, you line the bottom of the bag with about 3 inches of organic potting soil
Put the seed potatoes in the bag, about 8 inches apart, eyes pointing up.
You can see, most of my seed potatoes already had good sprouts happening by the time I got around to planting them. What can I say, I've been busy!
I ordered only one pound of potatoes - hopefully that one pound will yield many, many more.
I topped off the potatoes with about another two inches of soil and gave them some water. I'll feed them with organic liquid fertilizer at a later date, when I am feeding the veggie garden.
As the potato plants grow, I will continue to add soil to the bags, until the soil is about a foot deep or more.
When it comes time to harvest, the bags get dumped into a garden bed and the potatoes picked out.
I'll dump my bags in an area I need more soil so the soil gets reused. No doubt I'll need help carrying them by that point!
This method works for me - I save space in my tiny vegetable garden for other crops, and I don't have to deal with the clay, super dense, stone filled soil in my area.
You can read about this and 6 other ways to plant potatoes in this article.
Meanwhile, the bags will spend the summer on the patio next to my composters.
I'd never heard of this method ! It will be fun to see how many you get out of it in the end! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope it turns out to be a good crop, Deb!
DeleteI'd never heard of this method ! It will be fun to see how many you get out of it in the end! :)
ReplyDeleteInteresting ... can't wait to see how they turn out, and how many you get, and how they taste!!
ReplyDeleteSame here!! I never heard of this variety but I'm always willing to try a new potato!!
DeleteThis looks easy enough and I think the bags are darling!
ReplyDeleteLisa
They are kind of cute, aren't they? Much larger than I thought they would be!
DeleteSo glad you came by! Yep---the marshes are quite and peaceful places to walk and to birdwatch.... I am still waiting for my first glimpse of a painted bunting!! They are so bright and beautiful... I would love to spot one. I am intrigued by those "tater" bags!! Might give those a try---sure looks easy. Right now just trying to get my seeds planted and transplanted--im way behind due to a bad tooth abcess and a dang root canal!!
ReplyDeleteI think I would actually jump up and down with glee if I saw a painted bunting!! What a gorgeous bird!! Hope you are feeling better soon - a root canal is not a fun time!
Delete"Quiet" not quite places!!
ReplyDeleteI want to grow potatoes that way!! But, I want a pretty bag like you are using! :) Thank you for sharing this.
ReplyDeleteYou can find them at Gardeners Edge - they are reusable and very strong! Oh...and HUGE!!
DeleteLooks like a very efficient way to grow potatoes! I love the variety you picked out...they are pretty. This is the first time I have ever heard of them. :)
ReplyDeleteMe, too! Let's face it....any potato is a good potato, says the Irish girl!!
Deletenever heard of this...but oh boy how easy. Good luck in all your gardening . I am so very anxious to see everything you grow. :) Blessing to you hard working girl, xoxo, Susie
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweet Susie!! :) Today's rain should help a lot!!
DeleteBrilliant! Hope you have a bumper crop!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Daisy Gurl!
DeleteWow, that looks easy enough. I have never thought about growing potatoes, but I might add this to the list!
ReplyDeleteIf you do, I better hear about it!
DeleteWhat timing, Deborah. We planted two bags of potatoes, too, last weekend. Easy...peasy, for sure.
ReplyDeleteWe shall have to compare notes, Deb, and see how our crops do!
DeleteWe used plastic potato bags from Canadian Tire. Not near as pretty as yours. Here's to baked potatoes. :)
DeleteThis is so cool! I have never tried planting potatoes before. Hmm...I may have to try it now!
ReplyDeleteIf you do please make sure I know so we can track our progress together! :)
DeleteI've never heard of this either. What about the critters? Do they come digging in the bag as the tubers grow?
ReplyDeleteI've never had critter problems in the past....let's pray they stay away!!
DeleteStaying tuned on those taters!
ReplyDeleteYou and me both, Debbie! You could grow them on your little deck, right next to the BBQ!!
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ReplyDeleteHere are the pretty bags, Henny Penny. xox http://www.gardenersedge.com/30-gallon-retro-potato-grow-bag/p/84388/?kc=geshop16n&mkwid=spjS8vrKu|dc&pcrid=60345004616&pkw=&pmt=&plc=&kc=&gclid=Cj0KEQjwo_y4BRD0nMnfoqqnxtEBEiQAWdA12zV__dv1PtP8-9N6e4d6xGTuzq7QkQn7946G8o4GGeMaAqxU8P8HAQ
ReplyDeleteThanks, yes, those are the ones! Warning - they are HUGE!!
DeleteHi! I love those potato bags but guess I am too cheap to buy them! I hope they do well for you. Love the looks of all the plants you bought sitting there. Will be happy when we can start putting out plants! Nancy
ReplyDeleteYou could use any bag that will stand upright and has good drainage. I used a black plastic garbage bag once although the crop was tiny....
DeleteWe have a bear, too!
ReplyDeleteAnd I plan on doing potatoes but in a bucket. The bags do look easier though (and less plasticky).
Oh boy - bears are not fun, are they? I don't mind seeing them when I am driving....far away from my house, of course! Be safe!!
DeleteWow - that is an amazing way to grow potatoes. Bears be ware!!! Thanks for sharing and linking.
ReplyDeleteThose darned bears better stay far away from me - I have my firecrackers ready to scare the bejeezus out of them!!
DeleteI think I saw these in a gardening catalog a while back. It couldn't be any easier it seems, and I bet you'll be pleased with the results. I see some yummy French fries in your future :)
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking more a simple potato dish with steamed potatoes, butter, and fresh herbs all tossed with a little salt and pepper - mmmmmmmm!!
DeleteThis is an amazing tutorial. I am so glad you shared it at TOHOT because I never knew how to plant potatoes.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
Laura
White Spray Paint
There are many different ways to plant potatoes, Laura - I chose the lazy way!! :)
DeleteHow do you do it? You seem to get so much done in a day and you work outside the home too. I need your energy level!!
ReplyDeleteI do a lot of stuff on the weekends when I'm off and then I share it with you one project at a time during the week, Stacey!! :)
DeleteYou make me want to grow potatoes just because they are so cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with SYC.
They are kind of cute, aren't they? Little polka dotted potatoes!
DeleteI have some friends that did this in gunny sacks. Really is amazing! Thanks for sharing it with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
I hope it worked out well for your friends...I'd be happy to do it in gunny sacks if I had a clue where to get one! :)
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