So, I planted potatoes

On the last weekend of February I planted a box of potatoes. The plants grew nicely and were looking fantastic. Then I was hit with a nitrogen deficiency. Jumping into action, I dressed with compost, and in a few days the plants were making a comeback. Then the wind started, and didn't stop for about three weeks. On some days it was blowing 25 to 30 mph sustained, with gusts up to 45 mph. This past Monday morning a storm rolled through after I was off to work. When I came back home that evening, I found that the wind had stripped most of the leaves. The leaves that were left were beaten, battered, and bruised. On three plants, the stems had completely broken. It was disheartening to find them in that state.

"No way are they ready" I thought. So I decided to pull the broken plants and leave the rest in hopes of more foliage to grow. I started digging around the broken ones. I was quite surprised with what I found.



They ranged in size from golf ball to tennis ball. Granted, there were still lots about dime sized that were still growing, but with the luck that I've had so far with them this season, it appears that I'll get more than I thought I might. I'll take that, and I'll hope that the others make a dramatic comeback.

Not a bad return for just 60 days on those poor broken plants.

At least you got some nice baby taters for the dinner table. I love potato salad made with the red-skin still on the baby potaoes.

Good luck with the remaining survivors.

What a pretty bunch of potatoes!

Beautiful potatoes! What a wonderful surprise! I've not grown potatoes before but seeing yours, I'm motivated.

Nice harvest !!!!!

I've planted red potatoes and yukon gold. The red Potatoes are starting to bloom -- I'm sure it hasn't been 8 weeks. Do they usually bloom this early? I planted them March 19. I'm just surprised they are starting to bloom. The Yukon Gold are still fairly small.

Mine never did blossom, but that just may be typical of the red norland variety that I planted. This was my first shot at potatoes. From what I understand, after the plant blooms, small tubers can be harvested. It still needs a few weeks for the plant to mature, and tubers to get to full size, but from bloom to maturity, tubers can be harvested.

Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.

They really look yummy. Mine are a long way off from that, one plant is just starting to bloom. Congrats, especially with all the trials you had.

Storm ravaged tops or not they look great. Lovely colour. I think they would look even better on my plate too