With the financial situation what it is today, like most everyone I know, I have chosen to expand my vegetable garden this year as a way to keep down the our food bills. I recently read somewhere that for every $100. spent on a vegetable garden, $1700. can be saved in the grocery store per year. I might argue that it depends on the weather and the skill of the gardener. Sometimes things don't work out as well as we'd like them to, but that's always part of the game, especially when it comes to playing with Mother Nature.
One day in February while I was browsing through some interesting looking blogs, I came across this one. I got so excited because I remember well the taste of those delicate summer new potatoes I used to grow in my garden in Vermont, years and years ago. I would steam them, slather them with rich creamy butter and freshly chopped parsley. Food fit for the Gods!!
I hadn't thought of planting potatoes this year because I had no space set aside for them and they do take up lots of space, once you start the hilling process. Plus water has been an issue in the area with on and off drought over the years, mostly on. I collect rainwater from the roof of my garage into a big cistern buried in the ground and also have some rain barrels tucked away in other places, but still if it doesn't rain, you have nothing to water with. This method seemed to me to be a perfect way to conserve a little water along with some space and I could satisfy that growing itch I was experiencing to plant some potatoes. My thinking told me I could water the pots directly ... there is no loss of water into places where I don't need it. Other pros quickly presented themselves ... my back would be less strained from working the ground AND weeds wouldn't be a problem.
I got help from good friend, Krista, in finding the 15 gallon pots. She is also growing some potatoes in pots as well as in the ground so come some time later in the summer a verdict will be reached as to which way is better or might they both produce a super, delicious crop of spuds. I'll let you know.
I planted fingerling potatoes as well as two kinds of red skinned ones 3 to 4 weeks ago and I'm happy to say that potatoes are sprouting in each of the pots. I followed the directions for planting them as given on the blog. I mixed my own planting mix of half organic potting soil and half locally made Panorama Paydirt compost. As soon as the sprouts have reached a good height I will add more soil and start the hilling process.
I can't wait to taste my first freshly dug potatoes but I'm really enjoying watching these little plants grow. I check them several times a day to make sure all is well and they are happy.
I'll keep you posted with more photos as the season progresses!!
Better yet, check out that blog and start your own!!
If I may be allowed to join in the fun, I have some potatoes planted in the ground and three in a huge bag, which I intend to add soil to as the plants emerge. While I was in England in March, I saw many advertisements in gardening magazines for growing potatoes in bags, and decided to try it myself. Thought about using a trash bin at first, but you have to have holes in it and it looked like hard work, so I just used a big heavy duty plastic bag. I planted cranberry reds!
Posted by: Ann | April 21, 2009 at 02:32 PM