| Growing Potatoes - Spuds In A Barrel |
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The idea behind using barrels, to grow potatoes, is to make it hard for
critters, such as gophers, to ruin your crop. Start with 4 plastic 50 -
55 gallon barrels. Drill drainage holes in the bottom. Set the barrels
up on blocks.
Cut up potatoes which have started to sprout. Leave an eye or two on
each piece. Dry these out for two days in a cool, dry room. This will
help prevent wet rot. Plant the spuds in a shallow layer of soil and
compost in the bottom of the barrel.
As the potatoes grow, add more soil and compost. After they reach
the top of the barrel, plant a couple of bush beans in each barrel. This
is a companion plant for potatoes. The beans protect the potatoes
against the Colorado potato beetle, and the potatoes protect the
beans against the Mexican bean beetle. Horseradish is also good for
the potato and distasteful to pests. DO NOT co-plant with onions or
garlic.
As soon as the potatoes flower you will find little spuds in the soil.
"Thieve" early potatoes by scratching away the soil and picking out the
spuds. Replace the soil. (Remember how many you took this way when
you're calculating your yield.)
Potatoes can be left in the dirt as long as it is dry and not too warm
(but don't let the sun "green" them). If they are muddy, toss them in
a bucket of water and let the mud wash off.
critters, such as gophers, to ruin your crop. Start with 4 plastic 50 -
55 gallon barrels. Drill drainage holes in the bottom. Set the barrels
up on blocks.
Cut up potatoes which have started to sprout. Leave an eye or two on
each piece. Dry these out for two days in a cool, dry room. This will
help prevent wet rot. Plant the spuds in a shallow layer of soil and
compost in the bottom of the barrel.
As the potatoes grow, add more soil and compost. After they reach
the top of the barrel, plant a couple of bush beans in each barrel. This
is a companion plant for potatoes. The beans protect the potatoes
against the Colorado potato beetle, and the potatoes protect the
beans against the Mexican bean beetle. Horseradish is also good for
the potato and distasteful to pests. DO NOT co-plant with onions or
garlic.
As soon as the potatoes flower you will find little spuds in the soil.
"Thieve" early potatoes by scratching away the soil and picking out the
spuds. Replace the soil. (Remember how many you took this way when
you're calculating your yield.)
Potatoes can be left in the dirt as long as it is dry and not too warm
(but don't let the sun "green" them). If they are muddy, toss them in
a bucket of water and let the mud wash off.
| For fun, fast and easy vegetable growing: |
Jerry Baker is one of those pros
that's been around forever.
Here he explains how to lay out
the vegetable garden for
maximum efficiency, how to
pick the right spot, how to
improve the soil, what and when
to plant and more. This book is
FULL of his practical, safe, and
easy tips for growing a fabulous
vegetable garden.
that's been around forever.
Here he explains how to lay out
the vegetable garden for
maximum efficiency, how to
pick the right spot, how to
improve the soil, what and when
to plant and more. This book is
FULL of his practical, safe, and
easy tips for growing a fabulous
vegetable garden.
Blue Potatoes, Orange Tomatoes: How to
Grow a Rainbow Garden
The first part of this book contains clearly
written, general gardening instructions:
planning, ordering seeds from special
nurseries, preparing soil, etc. Creasy's
approach is organic: pests are dealt with in
nonchemical ways. The second section
contains specific information regarding the
seed, plant, fruit or vegetable, a pest that
may bother it, and a simple recipe,
accompanied by clear, helpful text.
Grow a Rainbow Garden
The first part of this book contains clearly
written, general gardening instructions:
planning, ordering seeds from special
nurseries, preparing soil, etc. Creasy's
approach is organic: pests are dealt with in
nonchemical ways. The second section
contains specific information regarding the
seed, plant, fruit or vegetable, a pest that
may bother it, and a simple recipe,
accompanied by clear, helpful text.
When the whole plant dies back, kick
over the barrel for a bountiful
harvest. Try starting with two
barrels of red potatoes, one of
white russet, and one of Yukon gold.
over the barrel for a bountiful
harvest. Try starting with two
barrels of red potatoes, one of
white russet, and one of Yukon gold.
Toss the dried potato vines on
your compost heap. They contain
lots of potash.
your compost heap. They contain
lots of potash.
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