For those in our CSA, this is Week 10 out of 20 and is officially declared as Potato Week!Saturday was a gorgeous day and I managed to round up 7 CSA members to come out and help pick potatoes (to be in our CSA you need to volunteer 16 hrs or pay more- most people choose the work option which is what we really wanted). Some varieties were good in terms of yield, some not so good but all in all it was a decent harvest. We still have more to pick - 2 medium sized varieties plus the baking potatoes won't be ready for another few weeks.
Every year I learn something new about how to grow potatoes. I think I've got it finally figured out and so next year I'll try my refinements. Dig really, really wide hills - 3 feet width and maybe 2 feet high (this is not easy to do even with a cool tiller/plow). Then take a hoe and make a decent ditch in the middle to plant your potatoes. Then after you cover the plants up 2 times, use straw to cover them up after the last dirt covering. Don't count on weeding to do it-- the weeds will win- mulch is the key and then water. Water, water, water. I put my drip hose on too late when I realized we could be in the drought for a long time. And I didn't use straw to mulch. Straw to mulch is critical in my garden.
I'm sure the fingerling potatoes are available at your local farmers market- be sure to go pick some up. They are fabulous and they don't keep long so buy them now!
4 comments:
I had never heard of fingerling potatoes until I started reading blogs. I really want to try some though.
And thanks for the info on potatoes and mulch because I definitely want to try and find some that will grow in our area. :)
I can't believe all those potatoes. I wish we had a harvest like that, maybe next year.
Anna
Nice taters! I'm jealous...
Love the CSA work option you have. My mind is turning in regards to how we can do the same thing with our pastured meat we sell. Hmmmmmm.
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