Plus garden to do's for February
By L.A. JacksonThe middle of February through April 1 is prime Irish potato planting time. You might be tempted to try potatoes from the grocery store to start a spud patch, but they are usually sprayed with sprout inhibitors. Use certified growing "seed" potatoes instead — they will readily sprout and are disease resistant.
There are many potato varieties, but 'Superior', 'Yukon Gold', 'Red Pontiac' and 'Kennebec' are some of the best, most widely available in our region.
Potatoes prefer a well-draining, sunny location in soil mixed with plenty of organic matter. A sprinkling of a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 is a good nutrient package to add to the growing site, with another light application five to six weeks after planting.
If the soil's pH is neutral or slightly alkaline, a disease called "scab" could result. This ailment causes brown, rough tissue on potatoes. However, mixing in lots of compost, which is acidic, I have rarely seen scab crawl into my 'tater patch.
Cut the seed potatoes into chunks that are about 2 inches square and have at least two "eyes." These "seeds" should then be placed in a cool, dry area for a day or two before planting to allow the cuts to cure, which helps prevent rot.
For an easy patch in a small home garden, plant potatoes cut ends down a foot apart and an inch or two deep in prepared ground. Next, scatter a 6-inch layer of straw over the bed, water, and wait. When the plants emerge from the straw, let them grow for a week or two, and then add more straw to the pile, leaving the tips of the plants exposed to the sun. The final straw pile should be 12 to 15 inches in height. This method not only produces cleaner potatoes, but, in my opinion, more spuds than standard deep-ground planting.
Three to four months after planting is harvest time. Stick your hand in the straw and go on a spud hunt. If all has gone well, your efforts will be rewarded with between 15 to 30 pounds of potatoes per 10 feet of row!
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Andy Richmond |
June 21, 2021 |
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