“What’s ‘taters’?”

If you follow me on Instagram then it probably comes as no surprise that this weekend revolved around potatoes!

I’ve grown potatoes once before, and had a lot of fun doing so! The first time around I definitely tried to do to much, though. This year I just ordered some reds, and some fingerlings. That’s what we eat the most of in my house, so it seemed like the way to go. I ordered a little late in the game, so both of these varieties are new to me. Still, I’m very excited to give them a try!

They arrived from Fedco Seeds at just the right time, because I was very much in need of a smile that day. I had to wait a few days to prep and plant them, but they were very much worth it. Cutting into the Adirondack Reds the day before planting was a surprise I was not expecting. My seven year old had no idea that potatoes could be so cool.

I didn’t chit them, because it’s warm here already (Zone 7a here!) and the potatoes already have little sprouts going. I just cut the big ones in half and let them sit for about 24 hours and dug the old grow bags out of the garage while I waited.

All I really had to do from there was fill them a little bit with dirt, put in the potatoes (cut side down), and then cover with a few more inches of dirt. My aforementioned seven year old was very excited to help, but I don’t think she was as thrilled to have me give her an impromptu lecture on how potatoes grow…

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Hooray potatoes! They really are pretty easy. I think the hardest part is waiting to eat them!

What’s Happening in the Garden This Week?

Honestly, it’s been steady as she goes for the most part! The greens are growing, all the seeds I’ve planted over the past few weeks are finally sprouting. Things seem to be moving a little more slowly than usual this year, but finally it looks like things are starting to take off. The greens that I started indoors (namely, the brassicas) are starting to get hardened off, and I’ll hopefully get to move them into the raised bed soon.

I’m still working on figuring out where I’m going to put everything that can’t go to my community plot, and how I’m going to source the seedlings I was planning to get at a plant sale that will now probably be cancelled. My two favorite seed companies have stopped taking orders for the moment due to an increased demand, so hopefully I can figure something out!

Until next week, plant friends!