Digging Around
The blue potatoes are the earliest of the varieties that we planted. They are already dying back. I wanted some fresh potatoes for the week, so I got the potato fork and went a'digging.
I dug a 3 foot section of potatoes and harvested 5 pounds, 13 ounces.
I have about 90 feet of potatoes planted. If they all produce as well as the blue ones are producing, that will be 175 pound of potatoes. Hoo, doggies.
(I'm really glad they are not all blue!)
We shared some with neighbors this evening - thanking them for horse manure that we use in our garden, or for plowing our driveway last winter, or just for being so nice. Or all of the above.
I'm sure we'll share some more, but I think I'm going to try dehydrating some this year too. That might be fun...interesting...or not. Have you ever dehydtrated potatoes? Or, do you have suggestions for other things I could try?
I'm already planning to take all the ones that get nicked or otherwise damaged and use them first. If I have a lot like that, I'll make mashed potatoes and freeze them. Mostly, I've always just stored potatoes, like in a root cellar or dark corner of the basement. I've wondered about canning them, but they keep fairly well here, so it seems like a lot of trouble....but if you have suggestions, please share them - I'm all ears! (eyes?)
Thanks!
I dug a 3 foot section of potatoes and harvested 5 pounds, 13 ounces.
I have about 90 feet of potatoes planted. If they all produce as well as the blue ones are producing, that will be 175 pound of potatoes. Hoo, doggies.
(I'm really glad they are not all blue!)
We shared some with neighbors this evening - thanking them for horse manure that we use in our garden, or for plowing our driveway last winter, or just for being so nice. Or all of the above.
I'm sure we'll share some more, but I think I'm going to try dehydrating some this year too. That might be fun...interesting...or not. Have you ever dehydtrated potatoes? Or, do you have suggestions for other things I could try?
I'm already planning to take all the ones that get nicked or otherwise damaged and use them first. If I have a lot like that, I'll make mashed potatoes and freeze them. Mostly, I've always just stored potatoes, like in a root cellar or dark corner of the basement. I've wondered about canning them, but they keep fairly well here, so it seems like a lot of trouble....but if you have suggestions, please share them - I'm all ears! (eyes?)
Thanks!
Comments
It is a good idea to wash those 'to be stored' potatoes in a water solution with a little bleach added. That will kill any of the 'gonna rot' stuff on the skins. There. Finally using my college education.
Melody
That brings me to the next question, though. I thought I read somewhere that if I'm going to store my potatoes in a root cellar (and this year I am), I shouldn't wash them at all - just leave a light dusting of dirt on them.
Sure does seem like bleaching them would work well, though....will they still sprout? (I would want some of them to in the Spring for replanting)
They do look rather weird as mashed potatoes, but taste the same. :)
Hope that helps!
When you plant potatoes, it's recommended that you cut the seed potatoes into pieces. Additionally, after you cut them, let those cuts dry out for a few days before you plant them, and the will be less likely to spoil in the ground, more likely to sprout. Don't give up! Some years it just doesn't work out. (This year, my cucumbers are nothing!)