Re: Potato Growing Methods

lisaphoto 4/5/2012, 7:33 am

So my plan was to start the Yukon golds in the bottom of a large tupperware tote and add to it as they grow. But since they are determinate, should I just put them in a shallower container? I don't have room for them in my garden I don't think.

curio 4/5/2012, 8:03 am

I would still put them in those totes, and only fill until the plants start to bloom. You will need between 12-18" of soil for a decent harvest.

curio 4/5/2012, 8:27 am

Since there has been quite a bit of discussion and interest in Yukon Gold potatoes, and also the terms "indeterminate and determinate" I went searching for some additional information.

I found this link that has some very good general information on the details of this variety, including the term "determinate" in describing its habit.

http://www.coloradopotato.org/seed/yukon.html

**llama momma** 4/5/2012, 9:01 am

That's great!
I love Yukon Gold even from the supermarket, should be even better from the home garden, Heavenly!

curio 4/5/2012, 9:40 am

I'm hoping that with the Yukon Golds, if I can harvest early enough, I might be able to do a second crop with a cloche.

**Turan** 4/5/2012, 2:12 pm

Indeterminate versus determinate! Yes, that explains it! Thanks Curio.
Another aspect that helped get a big harvest the last time was to stop pushing the height (mulching hilling) at the beginning of August, just like I change tactics with tomatoes at that time. My season is short and they need to switch to ripening/finishing rather than growing at that time.

curio 4/5/2012, 6:18 pm

exactly Turan. You treat them just like you would their tomato cousins in that respect. Smile

tnmom66 4/5/2012, 9:37 pm

Is it possible to harvest "new potatoes" from the bottom (if so, how do you know when you have some?) without disturbing the plant too much?

quiltbea 4/5/2012, 10:27 pm

@tnmom.....You'll know when they are 'new' potatoes by their size. You just stick your hand in the soil and feel around for the potatoes and how they feel for size. You can harvest them at any size you prefer, from small and new to full harvest.

**camprn** 4/6/2012, 7:50 am

curio wrote:Since there has been quite a bit of discussion and interest in Yukon Gold potatoes, and also the terms "indeterminate and determinate" I went searching for some additional information.

I found this link that has some very good general information on the details of this variety, including the term "determinate" in describing its habit.

http://www.coloradopotato.org/seed/yukon.html

Great site! Thanks for the link Very Happy

http://www.coloradopotato.org/seed/varieties.html

CarolinaGirl 4/9/2012, 12:55 pm

So I got a package of Yukon Gold seed potatoes at Lowe's today for $0.50!! I only got one package as it is a bit late here to get them started, but figured for that price I was willing to try. From what I've gathered I should plant these in about 10-12" of soil and then once the plant reaches about 6" tall start adding soil and continue to do so until the flower? ORRRR do I plant them in the 10-12" and then just leave them and not add soil since they are determinate? Also most of them have already sprouted... some quite long. Should I remove the longer ones before planting?

littlejo 4/9/2012, 3:48 pm

Potatoes put on babies above the seed potato. I would plant in about 4 in. of soil, with a couple in of dirt on top. Then when the plant starts to show, pile on some more dirt. Supposedly, the yukon gold will only put on babies 1 time, so, I'd prob. pile on about 10 in. after they show first time. I would not break off sprouts, just bury them under the soil.

Jo

AvaDGardner 4/9/2012, 3:54 pm

I was wondering about this last night as I cut the eyes off the potatoes for dinner.

How much of a potatoe is needed to support the eye?

It made me laugh this morning to see the bean attached to a leaf of the bean sprout as it came out of the ground. So much for the host!

Hoggar 4/9/2012, 3:58 pm

CarolinaGirl here is a link to a post I did the other day.

How to Grow 100 lbs. of Potatoes in 4 Square Feet.

**Turan** 4/15/2012, 4:38 pm

I guess I am joining the study. Despite my not intending to plant potatoes this year some managed to come home from the store with me. Rolling Eyes

They are planted with the raised bed method. 1 pound, that is 11 pieces, 7 Yukon Gold and 4 Deep Red. 2X3 area covered with 2-3" of compost. Later I will hill them and then mulch them.

WolfHeart 4/15/2012, 4:42 pm

I guess i am a joiner Very Happy

I am using the container method. I have an extremely large well drained pot with bottom intact. I will be using cheap inexpensive bagged topsoil as my growing medium (ran out of MM and Money). I planted 5-6 whole seed taters, a red variety (I lost the info somewhere in the house).

I'll let you know how it turns out.

littlejo 4/17/2012, 7:57 am

AvaDGardner wrote:I was wondering about this last night as I cut the eyes off the potatoes for dinner.

How much of a potatoe is needed to support the eye?

It made me laugh this morning to see the bean attached to a leaf of the bean sprout as it came out of the ground. So much for the host!

I don't know exactly how much 'potatoe' is required, but I've been putting my potatoe peelings in my worm bin, paying no attention to the eyes. They are growing, in the dark of the bin.

Jo

Goosegirl 4/23/2012, 9:08 am

My first potato freebies are in! All the little leftover tiny spuds from last year's Yukon Gold's that I forgot to throw away sprouted, so I planted them.

Next batch - the intentionals, Norlands - will go in tonight or tomorrow.

GG

**llama momma** 4/23/2012, 9:32 am

About a inch and 1/2 of potato should accompany the sprouting
eye(s) when it's planted.

GWN 4/23/2012, 9:53 am

Next batch - the intentionals,

lol

AvaDGardner 5/1/2012, 11:25 pm

llama momma wrote:About a inch and 1/2 of potato should accompany the sprouting
eye(s) when it's planted.

Thanks!

**llama momma** 5/2/2012, 5:29 am

That number is right out of Mel's book, page 22. "With at at least one sprouted eye per section."

**Turan** 6/24/2012, 1:47 pm

Turan wrote:I guess I am joining the study. Despite my not intending to plant potatoes this year some managed to come home from the store with me.

They are planted with the raised bed method. 1 pound, that is 11 pieces, 7 Yukon Gold and 4 Deep Red. 2X3 area covered with 2-3" of compost. Later I will hill them and then mulch them.

So my never being able to leave anything alone nature took over and I planted 22 corn seedlings over the potatoes in a 3X3 area. Then a hard frost hit... and even with heavy coverings I lost most of the corn and the potatoes got hard hit too. But some corn seedlings survived that were tucked in among the potatoes. So I reseeded the corn and it has barely sprouted. We will see if any of it makes it past the now fast growing potatoes.
potato experiments - Potato Growing Methods - Page 6 12-jun21

potato experiments - Potato Growing Methods - Page 6 12-jun21

plantoid 6/24/2012, 7:37 pm

Wheeeeee !

The potatoes in the glass house have finally produced flowers this afternoon .. the plants are over seven feet tall and are grown in almost a yard depth of MM .

When is the comp closing and judging begins ?

**llama momma** 6/24/2012, 7:59 pm

First, when I innocently started this thread back in January I didn't realize how popular it was going to be. Really something!

Plantoid, it starts when you harvest!!
When you harvest, the most helpful info I think is to post your growing method, your variety(ies) grown and give a weight total of each the varieties produced. Can you think of anything else pertinent?

Then I will summerize everyones info as a quick reference and include the location by country, state, territory, whatever.
I think this will show a fun comparison of everyone's efforts.

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