tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post3861807645111424573..comments2024-03-24T11:10:13.186-04:00Comments on The Gardening Me: Potatoes - The Reveal and Some SurprisesMargarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-52323185316209793602016-04-21T13:00:24.682-04:002016-04-21T13:00:24.682-04:00Thanks Regina! I was considering planting a few e...Thanks Regina! I was considering planting a few extra seed potatoes in buckets but decided against it as I already have so much on my plate this year (and am generally not the greatest at keeping containers watered!). It's on my list for next year, though. Wishing you a wonderful week too!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-69866683465722835382016-04-20T12:06:58.193-04:002016-04-20T12:06:58.193-04:00hello margaret,
i grow potatoes in buckets. i grow...hello margaret,<br />i grow potatoes in buckets. i grow belana, sieglinde and linda potatoes.<br />your blog is beautiful.<br />wish you a nice week,<br />regina<br />Reginas Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12263131368566323993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-47596040919075555102016-04-18T18:43:29.242-04:002016-04-18T18:43:29.242-04:00Thanks Patsi! I think that blogs are one of the m...Thanks Patsi! I think that blogs are one of the most useful sources of information when it comes to a lot of topics, including gardening. I have learned more from fellow bloggers than most books and "how to websites" where information is often presented without reference to everyday experience (and the problems that often arise). Can't beat real people talking about real experiences, both good and bad!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-63016646361831435742016-04-18T18:38:42.438-04:002016-04-18T18:38:42.438-04:00Yum to sweet potatoes! My efforts last year didn&...Yum to sweet potatoes! My efforts last year didn't result in many sweets nor were they that large, but I'm hoping to do a bit better this time round (don't we say that every season?)!)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-52233204116074196152016-04-18T18:36:51.943-04:002016-04-18T18:36:51.943-04:00Yeah, we gardeners don't mind having our produ...Yeah, we gardeners don't mind having our produce all over the house, but it's usually a different story for our significant others :) And winter is FINALLY ending for us - it was 25C today!<br /><br />Sorting before putting the potatoes away is a great idea - I kind of did that, but mainly with the seriously damaged ones. This year I plan to wash the potatoes before I store them so I'll be able to more easily see if there is damage other than the more obvious stabs from the digging fork.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-14428318662542764602016-04-17T10:56:46.725-04:002016-04-17T10:56:46.725-04:00I have to visit more often. Lots of good info. My ...I have to visit more often. Lots of good info. My husband needs to expand the veggies he grows. Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07834331771109216377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-46192006772119977462016-04-16T22:30:57.683-04:002016-04-16T22:30:57.683-04:00The only potatoes I grow are sweet potatoes, which...The only potatoes I grow are sweet potatoes, which do well in our hot summers. I serve them at Thanksgiving. :o)Casa Mariposahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16647089868277238456noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-23231730320907821952016-04-16T07:19:36.857-04:002016-04-16T07:19:36.857-04:00Wow you guys have really had a long winter!
Nice e...Wow you guys have really had a long winter!<br />Nice experiment with the potatoes. To store them I leave them out on the ground for a few hours to cure, flipping them over halftime if they're wet underneath, then just keep them in thick paper sacks in the brick shed in our front yard (north facing so keeps cool). Before putting them in their final sack I sort them out into ones which need using first (eg damaged or with a lot of scab) and number the sack so i know which one to use next.though having said that I've been reducing the number of potatoes I grow over the last few years so it's not as difficult to keep track of the bags.<br /> The coldest room in our house is the loo, which is downstairs by the front door - north side of the house, with no heating. It would make a brilliant larder but I can't convince jan to let me use it that way hehe (probably for the best!).Lou@RainbowChardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01435858511588433002noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-78861978282194560252016-04-12T09:20:23.755-04:002016-04-12T09:20:23.755-04:00You said it - today is another frigid day but I se...You said it - today is another frigid day but I see the light (or should that be warmth!) at the end of the tunnel. Temps are supposed to climb to 13C+/55F by Friday with lows above freezing...and stay that way for the foreseeable future (which is what really counts!)<br /><br />I'm looking forward to hearing about your potato adventures this year Lexa! It's so much fun trying a new veg in the garden; I think that potatoes are particularly fun because their culture is so different from other veg and the treasure hunt at the end of the season is pretty awesome :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-80869377364053724252016-04-11T23:24:36.121-04:002016-04-11T23:24:36.121-04:00Wow Margaret, thanks for sharing the results of yo...Wow Margaret, thanks for sharing the results of your experiments. We gardeners all have so much to learn from each other! I need to explore the world of potatoes more. There are so many amazing, unique varieties out there to try and compare for growth, taste/kitchen use/ and storage. I am starting simple this year with just one variety ordered. I want to get a year of confidence with that before I plunge in deeper. Here is hoping you have seen the last of your snow! Doesn't Mother Nature know its time for us gardeners to get out side?Lexahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11067337116117320740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-85690568595794390802016-04-09T21:32:05.354-04:002016-04-09T21:32:05.354-04:00Thanks for the additional info. Since the boxes we...Thanks for the additional info. Since the boxes were open, I don't think additional holes would make any difference, as the open boxes would allow for adequate airflow. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I am tempted to experiment with different storage methods next year. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01129119492962711399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-18900831852261326742016-04-09T17:30:59.821-04:002016-04-09T17:30:59.821-04:00Experimenting is definitely key - and it's so ...Experimenting is definitely key - and it's so much fun, which doesn't hurt either ;)<br /><br />I did cure the potatoes by laying them out for a couple of days, covered with newspaper, before packing them up. I can't recall now whether I did this in the basement or garage - my notes this past year left a LOT to be desired! As for ventilation, I didn't make holes in the boxes, but left the tops open - I figured this would provide adequate air flow as the boxes were relatively shallow - none was more than around 7" or 8" tall...perhaps next year I should be a bit more careful about that & make the holes anyway? I think I see another experiment in my future :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-3882800876037878282016-04-09T14:11:58.224-04:002016-04-09T14:11:58.224-04:00Interesting results from different storage methods...Interesting results from different storage methods. Just goes to show you that there is no correct method and we should always experiment. I am very curious about your results. Did you by any chance cure your potatoes before packaging them up for storage? Were the potatoes that were layered in shredded paper and stored in boxes ventilated?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01129119492962711399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-61673115914008010142016-04-09T12:57:37.494-04:002016-04-09T12:57:37.494-04:00Oh, that's so nice Michelle - I'm usually ...Oh, that's so nice Michelle - I'm usually the one learning from you! Mark does have great success with potatoes in containers as do other UK gardeners - it would definitely worth a try, esp. as it doesn't involve giving up any precious bed space.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-74808577127118926562016-04-09T11:02:04.149-04:002016-04-09T11:02:04.149-04:00Potatoes are something I know very little about gr...Potatoes are something I know very little about growing. I had thought to experiment with them this year but decided that I already had too much going on in the garden. Mark's container method is something I might try someday since I don't have enough space in my beds to devote to potatoes. I'll be keeping an eye on your potato experiences as well to see what else I can learn!Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07812702328134261533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-31206571486115275742016-04-09T10:44:36.733-04:002016-04-09T10:44:36.733-04:00Sweet potatoes store surpisingly well, don't t...Sweet potatoes store surpisingly well, don't they? I just kept those that I wanted to use for slips in the regular basement area and they were still hard as a rock when I put them in water this spring.<br /><br />I've written down the plan on how I will handle this years potato harvest so that I don't forget come fall. But first things first - gotta get those potatoes in the ground so that I actually have something to harvest...spring it sure taking it's sweet time to get here this year!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-69140580691158621742016-04-09T10:21:16.967-04:002016-04-09T10:21:16.967-04:00Easy access to the cold frame would be wonderful s...Easy access to the cold frame would be wonderful so that you could easily grab a few greens. A cold frame is still on my wish list; hopefully I'll make it happen by next year.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-19462588394041869522016-04-09T10:20:40.429-04:002016-04-09T10:20:40.429-04:00I was so surprised at how well all of the potatoes...I was so surprised at how well all of the potatoes kept - it's just like the garlic in that the ones I would purchase from the store seemed to rot after a couple of months, but the homegrown ones store incredibly well. Unbelievable, really.<br /><br />Yeah, I'm SO ready for a warm up - it's -6C right now! Supposed to get to the teens by Friday and stay that way...can't wait!Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-16120890437333220542016-04-08T21:18:50.013-04:002016-04-08T21:18:50.013-04:00We just don't have a spot cold enough to store...We just don't have a spot cold enough to store potatoes properly. Mine always sprout long before spring. We eat them anyway! Some good news here is that sweet potatoes do much better in our garden anyway, and they store for me much longer than regular potatoes. It looks like your experiments put you in better shape to handle this years crop!Dave @ HappyAcreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03441364543023807886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-65309073070905868802016-04-08T19:31:06.317-04:002016-04-08T19:31:06.317-04:00Snowed here today also. Hope you can get those po...Snowed here today also. Hope you can get those potatoes planted soon. I gave up planting potatoes this year as took one bed out. Thinking now of having a cold frame near the back deck or on it as I hate to go way out to the garden in the winter to use it. Then I could use that bed for potatoes or for rotating! Good luck. Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-11333392081622472982016-04-08T17:21:12.458-04:002016-04-08T17:21:12.458-04:00I also pulled off the very long sprouts I had last...I also pulled off the very long sprouts I had last year and "re-chitted". They worked out just fine. Amazing how much they still sprout in a dark cold room! Amazing that those just thrown in together didn't rot or anything? I usually throw them in a box as well but with some newspaper between layers.<br /><br />Miserable April we are having. Had 6 inches of snow Wednesday but warmed up Thursday and it's already gone. But a nasty chill wind today.Susiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10354350096358468967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-90887153702952240512016-04-08T04:00:24.477-04:002016-04-08T04:00:24.477-04:00LOL! Ah, if only it were flurries.
I'm ready...LOL! Ah, if only it were flurries. <br />I'm ready to break out the Christmas tapes........and cry , too!<br />Hubby keeps saying-it's got to go sooner or later, but every time I look at the forecast , they extend the gloomy grey days and snow a few more days. Hard to keep a sense of humor. Good thing I have GREAT bloggy friends to keep me smiling. <br />Enjoy your fun times at the farm. Sounds fantasticSuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10122524042294993949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-87710405514731712392016-04-07T14:46:23.780-04:002016-04-07T14:46:23.780-04:00I always think it's best to try things out for...I always think it's best to try things out for yourself - there are just so many variables that can impact on how something grows/tastes/stores. Chances are you will miss out if all you do is go based on others experiences.<br /><br />And I completely agree on the spindly shoots. I wish mine were a bit fatter, but it is what it is - I'll be happy if they make it to planting time in another week or so. Should be interesting to see what type of harvest I get this time round.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-63210249989274248482016-04-07T14:39:17.943-04:002016-04-07T14:39:17.943-04:00I was really surprised that the washed potatoes di...I was really surprised that the washed potatoes did so well, especially considering HOW they get washed: They are placed in this big, sideways drum type contraption that spins around while water is sprayed into it. You would think the potatoes would get all bruised up, but they don't!<br /><br />And good advice on the planting, Jo - sometimes we are in such a rush to get planting we forget the lessons learned in years past. I purchased a soil thermometer last year and will definitely check to make sure that the soil is warm before planting them.Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2884216770926932676.post-69719993050376633472016-04-07T14:32:32.911-04:002016-04-07T14:32:32.911-04:00Oh, your stack of crates comment made me burst out...Oh, your stack of crates comment made me burst out laughing...too funny!! And being the veggie/garden nerd that I am, I'd probably stand there checking them out with total admiration ;)<br /><br />Yes, the snow situation this year has been pretty dismal - I really hate having a gray December - Christmas just isn't the same. And I have a GREAT saying for you that I heard at the farm today (I'm volunteering again this year & it was my 1st day back today...such fun!) --> April flurries bring May worries :)Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15949946977793864054noreply@blogger.com