Anywho, I forgot about those potatoes until the end of January when I was cleaning out a cabinet where I happened to store the other seed potatoes, and guess what? Every. single. one. of those potatoes was sprouting! Wha? I thought storing in a dark, cool place prevented sprouting?!?!(enter another newbie excuse here)
On 2/1 I planted two of each variety in my kitty litter buckets. Since it's our "rainy season," in addition to drainage holes in the bottom of the bucket, I added holes going up two of the four sides. I'm hoping once it gets hot out the holes won't cause the soil to dry too quickly...
My Russet Burbank poked through the soil on 2/21 (pic taken on 2/27). The Sangre mini-tubers, are about to break through the soil surface.
Meanwhile, I checked on the seeds I'd left in a paper bag by a south facing window since December, and they looked like this. Interesting how the same potatoes have sprouted differently under different conditions...
Once the potato vines reach 4 inches, I'll cover them up, and continue doing so until they outgrow my buckets.
While searching through my plethora of bookmarks for something totally unrelated, I found these three pages of information on growing potatoes in containers and garbage cans.
Growing Potatoes in Containers
Growing Potatoes in Pots
How To Grow Potatoes in a Garbage Can
Oh! I was able to pass the remaining seed potatoes on to others in my community. Here's hoping for great success to all!
I'm doing mine in pots, too, this year. I'm excited to compare results.
ReplyDeleteHow cool! Can't wait to see what happens.
ReplyDeleteRibbit~I'm excited about comparing too! Thanks for the idea to tilt the pots toward the sun. The Russets are already happier.
ReplyDeleteRachel~It'll be interesting to see if the two sets of seeds grow differently based on their sprouting conditions.
I'll keep my fingers crossed. We can compare later -- I'm going to grow them in beds this year, although I tried a bin last year.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Last year, I planted potatoes that we bought in a grocery store. They spent too much time in a pantry and started to sprout. Those planted in beds did better. Those planted in a container and in a burlap sack were not great, but I failed to add soil while the vines were growing. I'm sure they would do better if I did things right. Will wait for your potatoe posts and pictures! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteStefaneener~ Did you have good luck with the bin last year?
ReplyDeleteTatyana~ Thanks!
What a great way (and new to me) to grow potatos! Instead of giving the kids the laundry buckets for the sandbox, I'm going to save them and give it a try.
ReplyDeleteChristine in Alaska
Thanks for stopping by, Christine B.! A fun idea, isn't it? Let me know how it goes for you!
ReplyDeleteHi, Momma S. I'll be interested to see your results. I'm growing potatoes in containers this year for the first time -- but plan to also grow in the ground as a standby. If it works, though, I'll give up the in-ground method for good; I so like the idea of how clean the potted method sounds!
ReplyDeleteMomma S.,
ReplyDeleteHow are you potatoes going...uh...or do I mean growing? I just bought my first seed potatoes a few days ago. They are going in the ground this afternoon. I would love to see how yours are progressing.
Kim