[kev]

Got my potatoes in the ground a few days ago, which is about a month behind schedule. Usually, I like to plant anywhere from the middle to the end of February. However, this year has been unusually wet. The field just now dried up enough to use the tractor and tiller in.

I skipped the fertilizer, but plan on coming back with some in the next couple of weeks.

First fertilizer application will be 13-13-13

Second application about six weeks later will be 10-20-10.

Some people cut their potatoes several days ahead of time, and then dip the cuttings in something like lime or fireplace ashes. I have tried cutting them early, and the potato seemed to dry out before it was planted.

In all, I only planted a row around 50 feet long. Which is not much. A few years ago I planted three rows around 100 feet long each.

 

[Weedinhoe]

Ours were planted March 5th and in the past two days are starting to poke through. I think the first few shoots got fried by frost about ten days ago. This year I bought the sets at the feed & seed and chose small potatoes that didn't need cutting.

Just two 11' rows (one Red Norland, one Yukon Gold) and about 7 hills of old Russets from the grocery. They had grown 2" sprouts while in the closet where they're stored (we don't eat a lot of potatoes) and were planted just for grins and giggles as Russets aren't supposed to do well in this area.

 

[catfeet]

I cut and dry mine - it prevents pests from gaining access to the seed plant like they would if it was wet and open. They dry out a bit, but then 2 days later, you plant and they have a seal against problems. Mine aren't planted yet. I whoopsed (yes, I just made that word up and have declared it part of Miriam Webster ;-) ) last fall and left my potato crop out to cure, but it froze overnight and then they were mush. So, I've had to buy new seed potatoes this spring. They aren't here yet. Don't expect 'em until the middle of May.

I plant Adirondack Blues and Reds, plus Yukon Gem. And some Kennebec, as those are usually what we buy from the store on years we buy potatoes. Those have, in the past, gotten a bit hairy for dh, who declared them seed potatoes, lol.

 

[Kansas Terri]

Mine are in the ground but if any are up I will have to cover them. Freezes are possible for 3 days time, starting tomorrow evening.

 

[PurpleKitty]

My yard guy whacks everything. God love him, he thinks everything is a weed. He does stay away from my jasmine, and my wandering jew, but I don't have the garden anymore.

The yard guy works for free (we're his good deed), and has a language barrier so too hard to communicate. He speaks Gatorade and good job, though.

 

[Good beer]

I have to wait a month and half. The ground is still frozen!

My seed potatoes are ready to go though!

 

[Potawami II]

Only about 4 inches of snow left on the garden.

 

[two bits]

We have always planted potatoes on or near Good Friday. The garden has been tilliable and maybe couple cool nights after they sprout.

NOT THIS YEAR

The weather is crazy, Good Friday is early, or what the hell! It has rained 4 of the last 5 days. Forecast is rain, rain rain. Warm days, cold nights, and rain combination.
My garden is a mess. I'm splitting wood, installing fence, and working on a new rabbit shed. Trying to stay busy.

 

[CrazySis]

So far I've only planted 3 hills around the first of this month and I still didn't see any green. Had to scratch around and found they are still good, but growing more root than top, I will be planting more as the weather warms. I am aiming for succession planting to have a continual crop instead of just one big one. I figure that I can plant up until around August or so to get a fall harvest. The real trick will be to find enough room

 

[Huecoaz]

This will be my first time planting them in containers . We dont plant around here till about Mothers Day to avoid late season frosts . I'll be trying out reds and Yukon golds .

 

[da_wanderer]

I have planted 2 beds over the last week. It got cold for a few days, but it has warmed up again. Onions are up and a few weeds are trying to put in an appearance.

 

[st0n3]

My yard guy whacks everything. God love him, he thinks everything is a weed. He does stay away from my jasmine, and my wandering jew, but I don't have the garden anymore.

The yard guy works for free (we're his good deed), and has a language barrier so too hard to communicate. He speaks Gatorade and good job, though.

I'm sorry, but that's just wrong.
I'd rather let the grass grow up to my waist, and have food in the garden than have a freebie landscaper who thought everything green needed to be mowed or weed-whacked.

 

[thyme2bprepped]

Five more weeks. Can't wait!

 

[Routestep]

I dug two trenches (47 ft each) and planted the first batch of potatoes a couple of days ago. I'll plant some more in a week or ten days.

Post Scriptum:

I just watched your video. Interesting, wish I knew how to make films. I have a minor difference to the cutting. I dip my knife in alcohol after every cut just in case the potato has a virus. I don't wish to pass it on to the next potato I cut in two. Your spuds look like bought seed potatoes so the chance of viruses is less.

I dig a trench and the potatoes are substantially below ground level. As the shoots come up I'll cover them mostly, just a small about of shoot showing, several times with earth. It helps to keep the weeds down as the mound is made.

 

[Nomad 2nd]

My saved (from last year) potatoes are VERY ready.
But I think the ground is too wet. (Been raining)

How dry does it need to be?

 

[thyme2bprepped]

My saved (from last year) potatoes are VERY ready.
But I think the ground is too wet. (Been raining)

How dry does it need to be?

It's okay if the ground is damp. Don't plant when/where there's standing water or soupy mud. Watch your weather and try to find a time when it hasn't rained for 3-5 days.

If your seed potatoes are sprouting too much you can put them in the fridge to slow them down a bit.

 

[Jim in Illinois]

I would have by now but 5" of rain the last five days and more expected for the next 5 days has turned my garden into a mud hole. Maybe I should be building an ark instead.

 

[two bits]

I would have by now but 5" of rain the last five days and more expected for the next 5 days has turned my garden into a mud hole. Maybe I should be building an ark instead.

I feel your pain. Maybe pontoons at least.

 

[raccoontrapper2016]

I'll be planting around 10-20lbs a week for the next couple of weeks. I can't store very many, but I have a market for 50-100lbs a week come July. I also got about 600 onion sets in I'll be planting in stages to sell as well.

 

[Valgard Murray]

Last weekend I planted 4 varieties in 4 30 gallon repurposed storage tubs, I'm getting too damn old to plant rows and then have to bend over to mound the sprouts, I can sit in my easy chair and mound if necessary. If things go right, I'll have plenty to add to cold storage and dehydrating for me and my wife. Even though we've had some snow and rain lately, it's been a rather dry winter up here in the mountains.