Planting potatoes

[seedcorn]

grew up cutting up potatoes so each piece had at least one eye. On TV, I see people just plant the whole potato. So how do you do it? I no longer plant root crops as nematodes ruin them.

 

[baymule]

I cut them.

 

[ninnymary]

I pick small ones and then plant whole, 5 to a nursery black pot tree container.

Mary

 

[bobm]

These days, my wife opens a box of Ore-Ida, pour into a pan of boiling water with some butter, add some milk, pour in the potatoe flakes and wa la... mashed potatoes. When we want a baked potatoe , my wife goes to the grocery store to buy a 10 lb. bag. Too many fill rocks and a little fill dirt on top to fill in former wet land, then add moles , voles, gophers, field mice , grubs, pathogens, etc.. So, store baught it is.

 

[w_r_ranch]

Chit them about 4-6 weeks before planting time, then cut them allowing for 2 eyes (sometimes 1), dusted with powdered sulfur & allow them to 'scab over'... then plant within a day or two.

We always have a spring good crop. The fall crop is never as good as the spring, but then again, they have a shorter period of time to develop...

​

 

[ninnymary]

w_r_ranch, you have the greenest thumb I know. Your potatoes are all the same size!

Mary

 

[Ridgerunner]

Cut the big ones, plant small ones whole.

 

[Smart Red]

Cut the big ones, plant small ones whole.

Ditto, although, the smaller spuds are more likely to be eaten early on in the season so most of the plantings are medium-sized potatoes cut with 2-3 eyes.

 

[digitS']

I've only grown potatoes for about 10 seasons.

Somewhere in there early on, I must have read that 4# of seed should provide for 100 square feet. So, the holes are dug and the seed is "cut to fit."

Chit ... I remember that we talked about the term, once. It suggests something that isn't quite there but imminent and with some noted value. I have just attempted to have the seed beginning growth and keep it out of a cold, indoor location if it doesn't show that growth. It's good to see the sprouts appear quickly above ground, altho that may mean frost damage.

Steve