| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| sonshine4u |
Posted - Mar 12 2012 : 10:41:47 AM
Hey ladies!
Where do ya'll purchase your organic seed potatoes from? I have been looking at several different websites and the prices seem really high at some and not too bad at others.
Also, do you have any helpful advice in growing organic potatoes? I've never planted any before and would love some words of wisdom!
~April
Playing in the Sonshine
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| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| homsteddinmom |
Posted - Mar 15 2012 : 06:12:40 AM
Yellow fin,indian pit, red pontiac or the fingerling types are reported to grow more as you pile on more dirt. I need to buy some and do an experiment to find out!
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
| Bella |
Posted - Mar 14 2012 : 6:09:34 PM
I am interested in purchasing organic seed potatoes as well. I read an article in Prevention magazine that said all of the big potato farmers have their own special plot of potatoes that are not sprayed and fumigated. It said the government (FDA?) requires them to to spray the potatoes that are sold to grocery stores and food chains. Last year I asked the lady at the feed and seed store if their planting potatoes were sprayed and fumigated and she said no. She also got me thinking when she said that the potatoes in the grocery store also have to be sprayed so they won't sprout. So, now I never eat french fries or any other potato dishes in restaurants, and the only potato chips I buy are organic. Some may think I'm going overboard, but I don't want to be eating chemicals.
"Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson |
| Bella |
Posted - Mar 14 2012 : 6:00:56 PM
I am interested in purchasing organic seed potatoes as well. I read an article in Prevention magazine that said all of the big potato farmers have their own special plot of potatoes that are not sprayed and fumigated. It said the government (FDA?) requires them to to spray the potatoes that are sold to grocery stores and food chains. Last year I asked the lady at the feed and seed store if their planting potatoes were sprayed and fumigated and she said no. She also got me thinking when she said that the potatoes in the grocery store also have to be sprayed so they won't sprout. So, now I never eat french fries or any other potato dishes in restaurants, and the only potato chips I buy are organic. Some may think I'm going overboard, but I don't want to be eating chemicals.
"Just living is not enough, said the butterfly. One must have freedom, sunshine and a little flower." -Hans Christian Anderson |
| StrawHouseRanch |
Posted - Mar 14 2012 : 06:24:05 AM
Brandee,
Did you find out which type of potatoes will continue to develop as you pile up the dirt? I guess 10 inches is a pretty fair amount though. Lots of little tubers could possibly develop on a plant in 10 inches of space...just about right for a muck/feed bucket!
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
| homsteddinmom |
Posted - Mar 14 2012 : 05:51:51 AM
I did some reading and not all potatoes will continue to put potatoes on even if you keep mounding up the dirt. Russets and Yukon gold are 2 that will not. They just put on on the bottom 10" or so.
Homesteading Mom in East Texas. Raising chickens, Rabbits and goats here on my farm! |
| crittergranny |
Posted - Mar 14 2012 : 04:44:49 AM
I guess potatoes can be grown in a stack of old tires. My husband tried it a couple of years ago, but a squirrel ate most of them. Anyway one adds a tire and more nice dirt as the taters grow upward and when it is time to harvest one can just take the tires off one at a time. I think I might try it this year. I must say that one would want to think it over before going and getting any old tires as they can be costly to get rid of.
Horse poor in the boonies. |
| StrawHouseRanch |
Posted - Mar 13 2012 : 4:15:08 PM
Diane,
Thank you for the tip on using the muck/feed buckets. I have been planning on doing the bucket or bag style potato garden this year, but hadn't thought about using muck buckets. I think I would have gone overboard on the number of pieces too. Thanks again!
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
| sonshine4u |
Posted - Mar 13 2012 : 3:22:10 PM
Thanks for the photos. I love seeing examples! Where did you get your potatoes from this year?
Playing in the Sonshine
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| Fiddlehead Farm |
Posted - Mar 13 2012 : 2:49:20 PM
I got mine from Seed Savers last year. This year I found some other one's I am trying. I grow them in big feed buckets that have drain holes punched in them. I start with a few inches of compost and cover the potatoes, about three pieces to a bucket. As they grow I keep adding compost until the bucket is full. When the plants die off, I dump out the buckeet onto a tarp and it is usually full of potatoes!
This is the first year growing them in bushel baskets.
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This is the last couple of years, growing them in feed buckets.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
I am trying to be the person my dogs think I am.
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
| StrawHouseRanch |
Posted - Mar 12 2012 : 5:52:26 PM
I was rather surprised at the price of seed potatoes too.
Paula
Farmgirl Sister #3090
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery, and Today is a Gift.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/StrawHouseDesigns |
