Garden Planning... Potatoes

OK, it's February, it's cold, and there's a LOT of snow outside. So, the only thing I can do is to work on my garden plans. This morning I was contemplating where I will plant the potatoes. It's tradition at our house that we plant potatoes around St. Patrick's Day.

The quandry for me is that potatoes should be rotated. My last potato planting last summer was proof of that. They weren't the best looking crop that we've harvested. So, this spring they will be planted in front of the house (yes, in the front!). Front yard guerilla gardening at its best. Actually potato plants are quite beautiful, with their pretty purple or white blossoms and lush green foliage. If you've never planted potatoes you've got to try it.

You can buy "seed potatoes" that are certified disease free. I usually purchase some from our local organic market. Do NOT use regular potatoes that are not organic. Some of these are sprayed to prevent sprouting. I plant the potato (seed potato or piece of cut potato that has at least two "eyes" or sprouts), mulch the area well (I use straw), and ignore. As long as we get decent rain and some sun exposure all should be well.

When the potato vines die, it's harvest time!