Post a reply

Avatar for Shadegardener
Jan 3, 2016 5:16 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
I'd like to try growing potatoes this coming year in grow tubs (or similar). I think I can manage two of the 20-gal tubs for two different potato types. We do eat a lot of red potatoes in summer but perhaps some gold ones would also be nice. Can anyone recommend varieties and/or techniques for zone 5?
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Image
Jan 4, 2016 8:36 AM CST
Name: Tom
Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Butterflies Vegetable Grower Keeper of Poultry Irises Keeps Horses Dog Lover
Daylilies Cat Lover Region: Wisconsin Celebrating Gardening: 2015
I've always enjoyed a good harvest from the Red Pontiac. Last year I tried the German Butterball, and was really impressed with the harvest, and they seem to be storing well too.
Politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed often, and for the same reason.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Jan 4, 2016 9:07 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
Tom - thanks for the suggestions. I'm planning more on prompt eating rather than storage unless I have a bumper crop. Nice to know that I can grow these in my area.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Image
Jan 4, 2016 10:37 AM CST
Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)
Region: Pacific Northwest Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
I recommend fingerlings - very tender and tasty.
I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Jan 4, 2016 1:23 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
Deb - is there a particular variety of fingerling that you'd recommend? I don't have much experience with eating these as they always seem to be rather pricey in the grocery store.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Image
Jan 4, 2016 1:54 PM CST
Name: Tom
Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Butterflies Vegetable Grower Keeper of Poultry Irises Keeps Horses Dog Lover
Daylilies Cat Lover Region: Wisconsin Celebrating Gardening: 2015
The storage is just a plus as far as the German Butterball are concerned. It doesn't stop them from being good to eat right away. Smiling I never grew the fingerlings because they are so small, and I hate pealing tiny potatoes. Rolling on the floor laughing
Politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed often, and for the same reason.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Jan 4, 2016 2:28 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
tv - Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing Rolling on the floor laughing
As I get older, I'm more inclined to eat potato skins because I'm getting lazy.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Avatar for Shadegardener
Jan 4, 2016 3:34 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
Can anyone recommend a good source for the midwest?
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Image
Jan 4, 2016 6:15 PM CST
Name: Paul
Allen Park, MI (Zone 6a)
Charter ATP Member Vegetable Grower Plant and/or Seed Trader Seed Starter Roses Region: Michigan
Canning and food preservation I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Container Gardener Composter Enjoys or suffers cold winters Avid Green Pages Reviewer
They say a 1:7 ratio is a good harvest. Plant 10 pounds seed potatoes, harvest 70 pounds. I have been planting Russet as well as Yukon Gold and have attained a 1:10 ratio. planted 10 pounds harvest 100 pounds. Some of my russets go well over a pound. I sprinkle a 12-12-12 fertilizer in the planting furrow and mix it into the soil. Keep the plants well watered. About midway through the summer I topdress with compost. Good Luck with your spuds.
Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes. ~Author Unknown
Last edited by paulgrow Jan 4, 2016 6:16 PM Icon for preview
Avatar for Shadegardener
Jan 4, 2016 6:38 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
Paul - thanks for posting those yield ratios! Where do you order your seed potatoes from?
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Image
Jan 4, 2016 6:44 PM CST
Name: Deb
Planet Earth (Zone 8b)
Region: Pacific Northwest Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Garden Ideas: Master Level
I get mine from my local feed store. They usually have a bushel of russets, reds, white, fingerlings, and sometimes those purpe skinned ones. I just go with whatever they have each year. I should keep better records, although any spud fresh out of the ground is no comparison to those at the grocer.
I want to live in a world where the chicken can cross the road without its motives being questioned.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Jan 5, 2016 9:27 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
I do have some local feed stores but I'll need to check if they carry seed potatoes.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Avatar for EddieG
Aug 8, 2016 8:45 AM CST
Name: Eddie
Clemson,SC
I have difficulty find seed potatoes for fall planting. What I did this year is I bought ten pounds of organic potatoes at the grocery about two months prior to planting time which allowed the potatoes time to develop eyes.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Aug 8, 2016 10:04 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
jeg - good idea! I did that with edible ginger that I grow in a big pot year-round. That one organic rhizome from 3 years ago keeps me well-supplied.
Unfortunately, my 'Sangre' developed some sort of blight. It was my third choice on an order that I had placed months in advance. First choice was unavailable at shipping time, second choice ran out so I had to settle. Have learned my lesson but, this year was a learning year. I only got 1 1/2 dozen golf ball-sized 'Sangre' potatoes. 'German Butterball' tried to resist the blight and hung in there a little longer but the foliage finally succumbed to blight. I did get a little better harvest but not what I had hoped for. We had a hot, humid, dry first half of summer and that's when the blight developed. I would like to try 'German Butterball' again but definitely want a more disease-resistant red potato.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Image
Aug 30, 2016 9:47 PM CST
Name: Connie White
Athens tn.
Im no quitter.. I will garden in TN
I have clay soil so trying to grow anything in this clsy isnt a very good choice for me. I am making a bin 4x4 size of reg. Pallet but homemade the front can be built up as i go. To allow the potatos more room to produce something i am using compost leaves whatever i can keep periodically adding more and adding a section in the front as i go highet.
Respect mother Earth and connect with her .. She will return the favor.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Aug 31, 2016 7:32 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
I've seen that done and was always curious about it. I'd be interested in your harvest rate.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Image
Aug 31, 2016 8:26 AM CST
Name: Robyn
Minnesota (Zone 4a)
Apples Garden Photography Composter Herbs Seed Starter Solar Power
Tomato Heads Vegetable Grower Enjoys or suffers cold winters
I'm going to get seed potatoes from the local small greenhouse / feed store next spring. Also the corn seed from there. It is a little tiny shop that sells chicks and rabbits and plants of all kinds.

My advice for zone 5 - you probably have some more wiggle room, but I'm in zone 4 and I needed to plant much much earlier. Get them in the ground in the spring as soon as you can manage.
Avatar for Shadegardener
Aug 31, 2016 8:34 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Cindy
Hobart, IN zone 5
aka CindyMzone5
Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Plant Identifier
Robyn - I have two similar places near me and decided that I'll buy my seed potatoes locally next year. Seemed like there were half a dozen varieties to chose from. I did mail order this year back in Jan and it was very frustrating when advised in Mar that one of my choices wasn't available. Have learned a lot this year.
Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish has been caught will we realize that we can't eat money. Cree proverb
Only the members of the Members group may reply to this thread.
Member Login:

( No account? Join now! )