Burns Best Farm

Potato Success!

For those of you who have been following the trials and tribulations of our farming endeavors, I have the most wonderful update tonight:  I have 17 potato plants up and growing tall!  Can you believe it?  Not one month ago, I thought every last seed potato I planted had rotted or was eaten by the deer (or the dog!)  Then, a couple of weeks ago, I did find one that appeared to be putting out shoots.  But then, nothing again for several days.

Today marked 8 days straight of high 70's/low 80's temperatures and I guess that was enough to motivate the spud stems to shoot north and spread out.  There are 15 plants that are tall and need to be strawed again, and then there are at least 2 more ( and possibly four more) that appear to be poking through.  SO exciting!

Part of my problem is that I practice what I call ADD Farming.  I apologize if I've offended you, b/c I know ADD is tough to handle and I don't want to minimize it.  And I don't have ADD, except when I garden.  If the package says 48 days, I'm counting on it to be right and if those seeds haven't germinated within 48 hours, I'm already giving up hope.  It's the silliest thing and I keep thinking I'll get over it.  But so far, it's stuck with me.

So rejoice with me over the potatoes and pray that my patience and understanding will increase. 

Untitled Comment

08:33, 2007-Mar-30 .. Posted by homesteadinthemaking

I'm sure they look great. I have just been amazed that they germinate so quick. I thought it would take longer.
blessings,
Trixi

Thanks

03:13, 2007-Mar-30 .. Posted by Pattisea

I am encouraged. I have a hard time getting things to grow (I think I watch them too much and they get performance anxiety!LOL).

I just planted some potatoes in cans a couple of days ago. I am eager to see how that goes.

How long (exactly!) did you go from planting to sprouts?

Patti

Timetable

07:52, 2007-Mar-30 .. Posted by MrsBurns

Hi Patti:
Thanks for commenting and visiting. I looked back at my calendar and I planted the seed potatoes on Jan 12. I got them back in November from Wood Prairie Farm in Maine and in late Dec. I set them on top of my dryer and most of them started to sprout just a little bit. I did not cut them; I planted egg sized potatoes.

So we're talking about 10 weeks between planting and the plants getting tall enough I can see them over the very thick layer of wheat straw I laid over the potatoes.

Hope that helps! Keep the faith.....I'm with you. I think I watch my plants too much, too often, and expect immediate results. Too much computer and TV sets my expectations too high.....immediate gratification! Denise