Re: Potatoes and SFG

Patty from Yorktown 3/23/2010, 6:05 pm

Hi,
I too am going to try trash bag potatoes. I found a yellow plastic tarp bag (15"x15"x33") It fits into my crayon box garden, so I got one. It was a big expenditure of $1.00. I bet I will get some comments from the neighbor, as I could have made a more subdued choice. I filled it with compost as I was unloading my trailer. Too make sure I had enough, boy was it heavy! I hope to report later with pictures.

Patty of the bight colored garden in Yorktown

lisaphoto 3/23/2010, 6:12 pm

I saw someone use a compost bag turned inside out (the inside of the compost bag was black). He rolled the bag down to an appropriate level, and then as he added compost, he just unrolled the bag. Don't forget to snip some holes in the bottom for drainage. They also sell potato grow bags at some stores and online

**timwardell** 3/23/2010, 6:27 pm

Here's another option I found that makes use of landscape fabric / weed barrier. If you have some left over from making your boxes...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9J-bUbNSK0

**timwardell** 3/23/2010, 6:37 pm

Here's two more... GOD I LOVE YOUTUBE! Very Happy

This guy uses bamboo fencing for his containter:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flXSxrQxW9s&NR=1

And...
This guy had 5 plants planted in a trashcan. I would have thought his harvest would have been better.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byNjATD8Hng

jjphoto 3/23/2010, 6:56 pm

timwardell wrote:
This guy had 5 plants planted in a trashcan. I would have thought his harvest would have been better.

You'd definitely think so huh? I guess he could've started with just some potatoes he cut up and not "seed potatoes"... from what I understand, if you just take your grocery store potatoes and chop them up you'll have plants, but the harvest will be light. We never did use the seed potatoes growing up that I've been reading about and we always seemed to have lots of potatoes, so no clue.

That's interesting about using the bags... I might save some from my next batch of mix I make and test it out!

jjphoto 3/28/2010, 6:32 pm

Garbage can taters are in!

Potatoes and SFG - Page 2 Img_0211

Had some seed taters leftover so I put some in an old vermiculite bag.

Potatoes and SFG - Page 2 Img_0212

We'll see how this goes - will be a fun experiment for sure.

boffer 3/28/2010, 6:50 pm

I think half the fun of gardening is experimenting. Your top photo is cool looking from that perspective.

I've had mixed results from garbage can spuds. I've gotten 70, and I've gotten 5 as my extremes. I haven't been able to isolate any variables to account for the differences. I did always use seed taters.

I've got 30lbs of spuds left from last years harvest. I store them in the coolest, darkest place I have, but every year in March they start growing like crazy. I guess we'll be eating rice till I can start stealing some new potatoes!

jjphoto 3/28/2010, 8:22 pm

Oh wow Boffer so you're able to save them from your harvest? How exactly are you storing them? I have a corner of my yard that stays very shaded and cool... thinking of burying a rubbermaid there this year to store some.

boffer 3/28/2010, 8:33 pm

The first year I had enough to store, I went looking for how to info. It was rather un-nerving. Most of the info listed was from universities and big agro corps looking for ways to keep spuds 6+ months. Most people don't know anymore what a 'fresh' potato tastes like. Basically, very cool, dry, and dark is all it takes. Don't wash them before storage. Some air circulation. I put mine in various plastic baskets with holes ie laundry basket, milk crate, that sort of thing. Burying a waterproof container in the ground to maintain a stable cool temp is certainly one way to store.

I usually harvest in Sept before the rains come. Lay them out in the garage for a week or so to make sure they're dry.

Lots of folks swear by Yukon Golds; we're more partial to Yellow Finns.

**timwardell** 3/28/2010, 9:16 pm

jjphoto wrote:
timwardell wrote:
This guy had 5 plants planted in a trashcan. I would have thought his harvest would have been better.

You'd definitely think so huh? I guess he could've started with just some potatoes he cut up and not "seed potatoes"... from what I understand, if you just take your grocery store potatoes and chop them up you'll have plants, but the harvest will be light. We never did use the seed potatoes growing up that I've been reading about and we always seemed to have lots of potatoes, so no clue.

I've learned that the spuds from the grocery store have been treated with something (a chemical no doubt) that retards the formation of eyes. Obviously the folks who sell potatoes for a living don't want them sprouting in the bag while they sit on the store shelf. Before I knew this, I planted some from the local grocery a few years back. Nice looking plants but only 3-4 tiny spuds per plant.

**WardinWake** 3/28/2010, 10:11 pm

Howdy:

I used store bought taters last year. Nice plants fair to midden harvest.

God Bless, Ward.

**donnainzone5** 3/29/2010, 12:03 pm

I've generally planted supermarket red potatoes, which always sprout easily. Nevertheless, the crops have been miniscule.

Does anyone know where I can purchase seed potatoes at a reasonable price? My garden is quite small, so I probably would need fewer than a half-dozen each year.

chocolatepop 3/29/2010, 12:20 pm

Check you walmart! Yeah I know I know...

Walmart had I think 3 or 4 seed potato types, a red, yukon, russett and maybe one more? I think they were $5 for 3lbs? Home Depot also had a small bag of reds for I think $4ish

I am considering Ronniger or The Maine Potato Lady

Try googling seed potatoes california also Smile

jjphoto 3/29/2010, 12:44 pm

I had to travel about an hour to a nursery that had them. I had quite a few left over, but I gave them to my neighbor or I'd ship them to you.

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Potatoes and SFG