Okay, so I got this brilliant idea that I wanted potatoes this year. I know that they tend to be cool weather plants so I started them earlier than everything else. I cut off a portion of the potatoes with the spuds on some old potatoes, plopped them in the ground and now after several weeks, I have about 1 to 2 foot high stems. I think it has a lot to do with all the rain we have been having.... I was so worried they'd rot, not sprout! Ugh. (Now we really need some sun!! My tomatoes are looking sooooo poor... I am hoping that my potatoes and tomatoes are not sharing any kind of blight... Apparently I was not suppose to plant them next to one another... but it is too late and I digress...)
So, my question is NOW WHAT?
I read somewhere that I should be "mounding" dirt around the stems. If so, how high should the dirt be? How often should I re-mound? Should I be keeping the stems a limited length? I read somewhere else I need to cover them with hay so that the spuds stay in the dark. What is correct? Do I have to pinch off/down the stems to encourage tuber growth? Also, how long before I get actual potatoes? Even if they are baby ones like for roasting or broiling? I am afraid to disturb anythinig to check thus far. II think it is still early but I really don't know!
Anyone with insight is MUCH appreciated!
Thanks in advance.
~C.
No clue, but this might help!:
http://www.thegardenhelper.com/potato.html
This is my first year with an all-out garden, and I also decided to give potatoes a try! I bought the little seed potatoes and they are doing fantastic (I water every day)!
When first planted, they should be buried 6-8 inches deep with a bit of a trench. Then, when the plants are about 8 inches above ground, you fill in the trench so only a few inches of plant are left sticking out. Again, when the plants are about 8 inches, you mound dirt up to leave only a few inches sticking out. All of the plant parts that you buried will become root (with tuber) system! You just have to add a little more dirt (or other dry material--straw, etc) to keep the developing potatoes (which will be close to the surface) from being exposed to the sunlight & weather.
I'm counting on my faith in this garden and the research I've done--and I have high hopes!
So, eventually the plants will flower, when those flowers wilt, die, and fall off, you can start to dig up potatoes--these will be small (like new potatoes). Or, you can wait until the whole plant wilts, dries up, and dies, then dig up the whole thing--these will be larger (like russett potatoes). I haven't found anywhere that said you should trim, prune, or otherwise alter the plant. Be aware, though, they can and will get really big (I didn't realize how big, and mine are kind of crowded)! I already have better plans for my garden next year, but I'm very optimistic and excited to see what I can grow!
Good luck!
Did you just use old potatoes you bought from the store? If so, you are not likely to get anything but plant as most of the potatoes you buy in the store to use have been sprayed to not sprout like seed potatoes do!
We never did anything with our potatoes, just put the starters in the ground and let them grow. We harvested in the late summer/fall after the top of the plant dies off naturally. They are an easy crop.
