The Trusty Gardener-Let’s Plant Potatoes!

Two Different Planting Methods to Try

Hello fellow gardeners, recently it has been incredibly warm and dry. The last few days have been in the high 80s; it feels like we skipped ahead to July or August. It is great for gardening, however, it is again getting dry. If you have never planted potatoes I encourage you to give it a try. This article details the traditional planting method plus a new method that I am experimenting with.

Planting potatoes involves some work. At least the traditional method does. The alternate method, which I will describe, requires very little effort. Which method is better?

Traditional Method

This week I planted most of the potatoes using the method I have used for 30 years and my parents and grandparents used. Actually, it's quite a simple process. And a little bit of a workout. First I cut the seed potatoes into pieces so there is a least two “eyes” per piece. Eyes are where the sprouts emerge; most likely the seed potatoes you buy will already show signs of sprouting. Some sources suggest letting the seed pieces “heal” for a few days after cutting, before planting. I normally don’t do this, but it can’t hurt.

Potatoes should be planted about 6 to 8 inches deep. The way I accomplish this is to make a trench with a hoe the entire length of the row. It is helpful to string a line to keep the row straight. Making a long trench may seem like a lot of work, but it actually doesn't take that long. My reasoning is that it is easier to place the seed potatoes in the trench than it would be to dig holes for each one. Also, once placed in the trench, instead of completely covering the potatoes, I only partially cover them with a few inches of soil. This makes it easier for the soil to warm and for the potatoes to sprout more quickly.

Once the potatoes sprout and grow taller, the plants will have to be be “hilled” to build up soil around the plants. This ensures there is enough soil for the potatoes to grow without being exposed to the sun, which will turn them green.

This year I planted Russian Banana Fingerling and Yukon Gold varieties. The Yukon Gold potatoes were found at a local farm store. The fingerlings were purchased from Harris Seeds, a company my Mom ordered from in the 1970s and 80s. Both of these varieties have yellow flesh. Fingerlings work well for slicing and oven roasting (sheet pan) or also as a traditional potato. Yukon Gold is a well known variety that is simply delicious.

Straw Method

In April I wrote a story about a video I saw online that showed how to grow potatoes using straw, with no digging required.

I found this very interesting, and almost planted my entire crop this way. Then I had second thoughts. So I decided to plant a small plot using this experimental method. I had some Kennebec potatoes left from last year that are sprouting, so I planted some of those and also a few of the Fingerlings that were left over.

This method is simple, just place the seed potatoes on the soil, and cover with about 3 inches of straw. Once the plants sprout and grow up through the straw, them more straw is added. This continues as the plants get taller. To harvest, I will just have to pull the vines and find the potatoes in the straw.

Time will tell as to how this will work. No hilling of the plants during the summer or digging to harvest is required.

The Garden Outlook

I was thinking of planting my tomato and pepper plants this week. However, later this week it is going to get cooler, and nighttime temperatures are supposed to dip into the 30s. Hopefully there won’t be a frost, but as I have said in previous articles, I don’t trust May. So I will wait until after memorial Day to transplant the tomatoes and peppers and some squash plants i bought.

In the memantine, this week I may plant some cucumber, squash, and pumpkin seeds, which should be fine. Maybe even some sunflower seeds.