Taters.... lots of them.

While I haven't quite figured out how to grow them real large, I do seem to be able to grow more than enough to sustain us through the winter. (I'll see if the wife can assist with posting a pic or two when she gets home.)

I think the ones I harvested last night are of a yellow variety, not real big like Idaho size, and not dark like the russets. Basically I just set a few aside from whatever we've occasionally bought at the store and come Spring time, get them in the ground when they're starting to root out. The largest of these is probably 4" by 2" but most are about soup/stew size, 2" round.

Still have russets and somekind of red potatos in the ground and in a really big pot, but they're not quite ready to harvest just yet. Will post pics when they're ready too.


Badger

That sounds like a good idea. Just save all the old potatoes you would otherwise throw out over the winter.

I have a family member who was successful at growing them in straw/hay on TOP of his concrete driveway. He said he just built a box frame (like a sandbox), filled it with hay, and threw some potatoes in. He said it doesn't look pretty, but he was actually able to yield potatoes out of it.

Potatoes are great for making ethanol! Most post 1990 cars will burn at least 30% ethanol. All gasoline is at least 10% ethanol. Potato soup sounds good too!

This is the one year I didn't grow potatoes. I did have problems with them being on the small side. Never understood how the farmers got them so big?

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Originally Posted by Badger

While I haven't quite figured out how to grow them real large, I do seem to be able to grow more than enough to sustain us through the winter. (I'll see if the wife can assist with posting a pic or two when she gets home.)

I think the ones I harvested last night are of a yellow variety, not real big like Idaho size, and not dark like the russets. Basically I just set a few aside from whatever we've occasionally bought at the store and come Spring time, get them in the ground when they're starting to root out. The largest of these is probably 4" by 2" but most are about soup/stew size, 2" round.

Still have russets and somekind of red potatos in the ground and in a really big pot, but they're not quite ready to harvest just yet. Will post pics when they're ready too.


Badger

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I'd be interested in seeing this too.

I've wanted to try potatoes for some time now. My Dad, grows them in AK in these redneck tire planters. The tires have the rim section cut out; when the plant grows, more soil and another tire. His have always been small too. We think it's the compost with too much nitrogen.

Got some pics uploaded, here is a couple of the larger ones. Most of them are about 3/4 to 1/2 the size of these. We had one hell of a cleaning party and looking forward to harvesting the next two sets we have growing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...h_100_0384.jpg

Also, and I know its completely unrelated to what I've started the thread out as, but did you know that you can cut the end off of your store bought celery, stick it in a bowl of water and it will regrow? I'm doing this with 3 currently, it seriously looks like time stop or something, but these are 3 different plants taken at the different growth stages.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...h_100_0386.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...h_100_0387.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...h_100_0389.jpg

So in brief, after they seem to 'float' in the water, switch them to soil. [Beer]

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Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy

Potatoes are great for making ethanol! Most post 1990 cars will burn at least 30% ethanol. All gasoline is at least 10% ethanol. Potato soup sounds good too!

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Yes indeed they are! It burns great and..... just in case any are wondering.... potatoes also make a very excellent vodka. Extremely smooth if distilled correctly with a very robust full flavor. (I'm not going to get into the specifics of this and ruffle any googlewarrior feathers like the last time, so folks... just take this one as, "you either know or you don't, and I'm not telling.")

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...100_0397-1.jpg

Lastly, and ever yet unrelated to the topic, I just wanted to share a little more of our personal path to self sufficiency and post the fruits of labor from our feathered flock.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...h_100_0390.jpg

We have two different breeds, Aracanas (think that's how its spelled) and Barred Rocks. Aracanas lay blue eggs, Rocks lay the brown. Basically we gather up the eggs, have a washing party similar but more careful to that of the taters, dry them, coat them with mineral oil and store them at pantry room temps. (Which is never above 60* at its hottest of days.)

Still have tomatoes growing quite nicely, all still green. Carrots seem to be doing very well. Broccoli practically taking over out there, onions kicking ass/taking names, chives still rockin, spinach in over-abundance, corn coming in quite well, pumpkins..... sort of perfected, not quite yet. Beans holding their own, rhubarb...... growing, don't know much about this plant really..... think I covered most if not all. Enjoy!



Badger

Very cool. :)

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Originally Posted by BushMasterBoy

Potatoes are great for making ethanol! Most post 1990 cars will burn at least 30% ethanol. All gasoline is at least 10% ethanol. Potato soup sounds good too!

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Or stick a potato in the exhast pipe and no go.[ROFL1]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Irving

I have a family member who was successful at growing them in straw/hay on TOP of his concrete driveway. He said he just built a box frame (like a sandbox), filled it with hay, and threw some potatoes in. He said it doesn't look pretty, but he was actually able to yield potatoes out of it.

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How tall was this box? I have a section of back porch that is pretty much useless during the summer.