Planting Potatoes

Well we have finally gotten some rain over the last few days to ease the dry conditions.  It definitely has given the garden a boost.  The rain always perks-up the garden more than hand watering does.

This week I have been planting potatoes.  Potatoes are fairly easy to plant, and they usually yield very well given an adequate amount of rain during the summer.  However, there a few key steps involved in order to have a successful crop.

First, cut the seed potatoes so that there 3 to 4 "eyes" or sprouts per piece.  If a potato piece only has one or 2 eyes, you can use 2 potato pieces for a hill.  

Next, prepare the trenches.  Using a hoe or shovel, make a trench about 6 inches deep.  Potatoes need to be planted fairly deep to allow dirt to cover the new potatoes as they grow.  However, until they sprout, only cover the seed potatoes with about 2 or 3 inches of soil.  This will allow for faster sprouting.  Once the plants are about 6 to 8 inches high, then the potatoes will need to be hilled.  This process is simply mounding up dirt around the plants to provide adequate soil for the potatoes to grow.  If any potatoes are exposed,  they will turn green.

Rose Finn Apple Seed Potatoes

Yukon Gold Seed Potatoes

Rose Finn Apple Fingerling Potatoes

Yukon Gold Potatoes

Covering Potatoes (Only Half-Fill trenches)

The varieties I have planted so far this year are as follows:

Yukon Gold

Yukon Gold potatoes have finely flaked yellowish-white skin with light yellow flesh. They're bright and slightly sweet, with a smooth, slightly waxy texture and moist flesh. They're best for boiling, baking and making French fries. They'll also stand up well to grilling, pan frying and roasting.

Rose Finn Apple Fingerling

This is a classic rose-skinned European fingerling.  Slender, moist, with firm yellow flesh. It is great for purees, soups, sauces and gravies. When roasted, eat like finger food.

Burbank Russett

The russet Burbank potato is a large potato cultivar with dark brown skin and few eyes. Its flesh is white, dry, and mealy, and it is good for baking, mashing, and french fries. It is a common and popular potato


Thanks again for reading my blog.  Next week I will  begin planting tomatoes, peppers, beans, sunflowers, and more.  Stay tuned.