I seem to celebrate the tomato as if it the crown jewel of the backyard farmer as many gardeners do. Tomatoes do seem to be a central theme with many garden bloggers, “how to” sites, mail order companies and farmer’s markets. That said, I would like to share my growing fascination with potato growing. I have tried barrel or basket growing in the past. This year I have a mix of conventional trenched and hilled in ground method, a barrel and two tubs.
I planted some Yukon Gold taters in the ground and the barrel at the same time. They are doing very well. I had a few leftover and a couple of weeks later I planted them in the Rubbermaid tub I had been using to house my vermicomposting worms. I need to add lots of soil to it tomorrow!!!! I planted another tub a week ago and the shoots have yet to break the surface.
The barrel planted potato eyes were placed in the barrel with about six inches of soil. They took off. I think they benefitted from the warming effect of the barrel. The soil level is up to about 40 inches now and I won’t add any more. The in ground potatoes are also doing very well. The plants are 30+ inches above the hilled up mounds. I have high hopes for a good harvest.
An old garbage barrel with holes in the bottom. Potato eyes at the bottom, 30 + inches below support the lush green growth.
The newest tub was planted with supermarket spuds that sprouted in the pantry. Supermarket spids are not the best choice as they are sometimes treated to inhibit sprouting. The Yukon Gold are actual seed potatoes purchased at Kingwood Garden Center. Helpful folks, lots of knowledge and support organic gardeners!
The tub as it appears when the potatoes are planted. About 6 inches in the bottom,
Soil in this one is up about 10 inches and needs quite a bit more this weekend.
I am looking forward to filching a few “new” potatoes down a foot or so a little later in early summer. I will be watching closely….once they flower and the tops die back I will harvest. The nice thing about using the tubs and barrels is the no digging to harvest. Just dump the container and sort through bounty!
PS – lunch was tomatoes picked today used in a wilted spinach and fresh Chard salad with grilled chicken breast. Dressing was simply EVOO and a blackberry flavored aged Balsamic vinegar. A little fresh ground pepper and sea salt! Just perfect!
TTFN
Bishop
From My Backyard 
May 11, 2013 @ 05:43:12
I have to try this….I really want to try growinga good root tuber 🙂
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 @ 06:59:41
Your salad sounds like it was wonderful. I don’t have any tomatoes yet, but I can hardly wait. I don’t have space in my garden for potatoes, but it would be fun to try to grow some in barrels. I hope you’ll share some of the beauties when you begin to harvest! 🙂
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 @ 15:28:35
Golly, Bishop, I don’t mean to Rain on Your Parade, but I’ll share my own potato-growing experience. Some years ago, like you, I was enchanted with the idea of growing my own food. Potatoes seemed a natural to try–EVERYBODY likes potatoes. After a moderate amount of effort, I was flush with success. But when I bragged to my friends and family and served the “fruits” of my labors, I received blank stares and puzzled comments, mainly implying “How nice for you, but so what!”
Reality struck: Homegrown potatoes have no taste or nutrtional benfits over commercially-grown. Direct-to-table freshness is irrelevant with a potato. Any cost saving is negligible–grocery-store potatoes are cheap. There are no varieties or heirlooms that are markedly different from the commercial spuds.
In other words, I was devoting time, energy, water, compost, and real estate to something that would never be anyting more than a ho-hum common potato.
I moved my efforts back to my Black Bear tomatoes, Nantes carrots, and Sequoia strawberries.. . . a lot more rewarding both on the table and in conversation!
Patti in Los Osos, CA
LikeLike
May 11, 2013 @ 16:41:12
I do believe that you are right in the fact about none being “markedly different from the commercial spuds”. I enjoy the “feeling” of putting a meal on the table that came from my hand if you will. The potatoes I grew in the past certainly do taste about the same as a commercial tater. I will always experiment a little, adding to my knowledge base so when I step out and grow my garden to an acre or more I can be nearly self sufficient….
LikeLike
May 14, 2013 @ 16:21:43
WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ABOUT 1 1/2 CUPS OF YOUR MASHED POTATOES WITH A LITTLE BUTTER, PLEASE. OXOXO MOM
LikeLike