Potatoes

[doc623]

Has anyone started potatoes inside by putting the potato partically in a jar of water?
I am trying this to get starts to transplant into the garden.

[BillHoo]

I think I read that the way to start potatoes is to:

1) Get a potatoe that has sprouted eyes.

2) Cut the potatoe into quarters with at least 1 eye on each quarter.

3) Leave each quarter sitting out on a towel or plate at room temperature for a few hours so that the cut sides dry up and form a skin

4) then you can plant.

Try doing a google search for a "raised bed" or "lazy bed" method for planting potatoes for more details instructions on mulching and such.

[GREENCOUNTYPETE]

I have done it to show the kids but never moved it to the garden i half to ask why , are you just shooting for the super early potato crop

i plant norland reds they come early enough for me anyway
for later in the year i plat kenibeck

[Danaus29]

doc, could you be talking about sweet potatoes? Those are the ones you start in a jar of water. Regular potatoes don't need to be prouted before planting.

[fin29]

I'm from potato country, and BillHoo's instructions are THE instructions.

I've done the surface- or mulch-planted potatoes, where you just place your seed potato on the surface of the prepared bed, then cover with about 6-8" of straw, and walk away. At harvest time, pull the straw away and the potatoes are just below the surface of the soil.

If you've got potato beetle problems, BTW, mulch planting is THE only way to go. When they emerge from the ground in early summer, they only have a few hours to get their first meal before they'll die. The mulch keeps them from getting that meal (seems to confuse or tire them) and poof! No beetles.

[hillbillygal]

Originally Posted by fin29

I'm from potato country, and BillHoo's instructions are THE instructions.

I've done the surface- or mulch-planted potatoes, where you just place your seed potato on the surface of the prepared bed, then cover with about 6-8" of straw, and walk away. At harvest time, pull the straw away and the potatoes are just below the surface of the soil.

If you've got potato beetle problems, BTW, mulch planting is THE only way to go. When they emerge from the ground in early summer, they only have a few hours to get their first meal before they'll die. The mulch keeps them from getting that meal (seems to confuse or tire them) and poof! No beetles.

Can I ask what type of mulch?

[newfieannie]

Originally Posted by hillbillygal

Can I ask what type of mulch?

in his second paragraph fin29 says he or she uses straw. this is the way i plant pot.but i use old hay because i can gets lots for free whereas the
straw i would have to pay for.

i think the pot. they are starting in water are sweet pot. ordinary pot. being so easy to grow .~Georgia.

[beaglebiz]

do you plant the potatoes dirctly in the straw??
If someone could describe this mulch planting it would help us out...
thanks

[BillHoo]

OK. I guess access to Google.com is too expensive for some folks, so I send you the link to detailed instructions on how to plant in mulch using the "lazy bed" method:

http://barebonesgardening.blogspot.c...-potatoes.html

[newfieannie]

Originally Posted by beaglebiz

do you plant the potatoes dirctly in the straw??
If someone could describe this mulch planting it would help us out...
thanks

i place the pot. on top of the ground. then i fork the straw (in my case hay )over to a depth of 8 to 10 or so inches or more.i dont give them any more care except to add a little more hay if it needs it. i dont even use fertilizer just the old hay . around about sept i pull back the mulch and there they are. i do start off with really rotten hay on the bottom and dryer stuff on top . they start to grow quicker that way. i dont know . that's the best way i can explain it.~Georgia.