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Tricks for growing abundant potatoes

pollinator

Posts: 172

Location: Near Asheville North Carolina

posted 2 years ago

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I’m growing potatoes this year and wanted to tap into the communal wisdom here. So…what are some great tricks for planting, tending & harvesting a healthy, abundant crop?

gardener, homesteader

Phil Stevens

master pollinator

Posts: 2030

Location: Ashhurst New Zealand (Cfb - oceanic temperate)

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posted 2 years ago

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I'm having good results with deep wood chip mulch. I plant directly into it and add more as the plants grow.

Gaurī Rasp

pollinator

Posts: 172

Location: Near Asheville North Carolina

posted 2 years ago

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Thank you Phil! Anyone else with some fail proof ways to grow potatoes?

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Anne Miller

steward

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Location: USDA Zone 8a

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posted 2 years ago

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I have always heard if you "hill" the potatoes you get more.

Someone on the forum plants potatoes in cardboard boxes because it makes it so easy to harvest. when ready to harvest the potatoes, just pick up the box and the potatoes fall out.

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Su Ba

pollinator

Posts: 2170

Location: Big Island, Hawaii (2300' elevation, 60" avg. annual rainfall, temp range 55-80 degrees F)

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posted 2 years ago

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Another hint….grow a variety that is noted for large production. Only some varieties are heavy producers.

It's never too late to start! I retired to homestead on the slopes of Mauna Loa, an active volcano. I relate snippets of my endeavor on my blog : www.kaufarmer.blogspot.com

Gaurī Rasp

pollinator

Posts: 172

Location: Near Asheville North Carolina

posted 2 years ago

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Well, I planted my potatoes, tended them & have begun harvesting! About 25# so far. And beauties they are! And delicious too! Will add photos below

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Gaurī Rasp

pollinator

Posts: 172

Location: Near Asheville North Carolina

posted 2 years ago

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Here they are…so pretty!

51F80410-A588-4ED7-BCE0-52BEC05C17C6.jpeg

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Burl Smith

Posts: 576

Location: Richwood, West Virginia

posted 2 years ago

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I discovered I could harvest and eat the seed potato after it had produced runners but before it decomposed - in effect having my cake and eating it too, lol.

Litter As An Edible Forest

Timothy Norton

Steward of piddlers

Posts: 6444

Location: Upstate NY, Zone 5, 43 inch Avg. Rainfall

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posted 1 year ago

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I've had great success with growing potatoes in raised garden beds. I found being able to create a loose loamy soil to grow in that the potatoes thrive.

I have replicated this originally in 20 gallon buckets where I tailored my own soil blend, but accidently found out that the raised beds were ideal spots after trying to recycle some old potato container soil that had some small potato pieces still in it. I have enjoyed my surprise volunteer potato harvest this year.

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