potato
Growing Potatoes in the Home Garden
by: Jackye Churchill and Ken Witthaus
Although the taste and texture difference between homegrown potatoes and those purchased in the supermarkets is not as pronounced as in some other vegetables, there are still rewards in growing potatoes. The largest is the number of different varieties that can be grown. Some varieties definitely offer better texture and taste than those found in the supermarkets.
It should be pointed out that the planting methods discussed in that report differ from those described below; however, all planting methods have been successful.
Garden Size Considerations
The home gardener should have a fairly large space for growing potatoes. Potato plants should be spaced at least 12" apart and the distance between rows should be at least 18"-20". Growing potatoes in cages can reduce the space required. The cages should be placed to allow space to access each of the cages for maintenance and harvesting.
Planting Season and Seed Potatoes
Potatoes should be planted between November and May in light sandy soil using seed potatoes. The seed potatoes should be cut into 1 1/2" squares with each piece having at least two eyes or buds. Seed potatoes can usually be purchased at nurseries. Alum Rock Farmers Supply located at 1936 Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose (408-258-4077) is a good source for seed potatoes.
This Spud's for You
by Tina Lee & Marcia Fein
Orin Martin, Manager of the Alan Chadwick Garden at UC Santa Cruz has the inside scoop on local potato growing. Here are some highlights of an excellent presentation from him.
Contrary to (some people) popular belief, the potato did not originate in Ireland. The potato is native to the Andes and was introduced to Ireland by Sir Walter Raleigh. The potato grew very well there and began to replace cereal and grain crops. Eventually the Irish became dependent on the potato, but since they grew only one vulnerable variety, late blight destroyed almost the entire crop and caused the infamous potato famine. This exposed the dangers of relying on a narrow gene base.
The botanical name for the potato is Solanum tuberosum. The potato belongs to the nightshade family that includes tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Although the potato tuber grows underground, it is actually an aberrated stem, not a root. The tuber develops from the swollen end of a modified underground stem called a stolon. The eyes on the potato are buds for new plants to sprout and develop.
It is a cool season crop and grows best when the day temperatures range from 60-65 degrees and night temperatures are between 45-55 degrees. Tuber production will stop if the temperatures exceed 85 degrees. The potato plant grows initially from the food reserves stored in the tuber.
The best times to plant are spring and fall. March is a good time to plant in Santa Cruz but if cool, wet weather persists, it's better to delay the planting until April. If moisture sits on the foliage, fungal diseases can develop. Potatoes are especially vulnerable to Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight) which is transmitted by spores in water; in water vapor on cool wind, and from live plant to live plant.
Growing Potatoes in the Home Garden, 2003
by Jackye Churchill and Ken Witthaus
Revised: 26-Apr-2004
Introduction
Although the taste and texture difference between home grown potatoes and those purchased in the supermarkets is not as pronounced as in some other vegetables, there are still rewards in growing potatoes. The largest is the number of different varieties that can be grown. Some varieties definitely offer better texture and taste than those found in the supermarkets. It should be pointed out that the planting methods discussed in that report differ from those described below; however, all planting methods have been successful.
Garden Size Considerations
The home gardener should have a fairly large space for growing potatoes. Potato plants should be spaced at least 12" apart and the distance between rows should be at least 18" - 20". The space required can be reduced by growing potatoes in cages. The cages should be placed to allow space to access each of the cages for maintenance and harvesting.
Planting Season and Seed Potatoes
Potatoes should be planted between November and May in light sandy soil using seed potatoes. The seed potatoes should be cut into 1 1/2" squares with each piece having at least two eyes or buds. Seed potatoes can usually be purchased at nurseries. Alum Rock Farmers Supply located on Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose is a good source for seed potatoes.
Digging for Gold (or Purple) Potatoes
by Marcia Fein
If you shopped at the Farmers’ Market last summer, you may have enjoyed some lovely potatoes with fairyland names and novel shapes and colors. I remember fondly a steaming bowl of Russian Banana and Red Thumb, dressed in olive oil and garden-fresh snipped parsley. I vowed once again to grow my own. Fresh from the earth, your own potatoes can be superior to most grocery store spuds in the same way home grown tomatoes are better than the red baseballs they sell in winter. You can store potatoes for weeks or months without canning, drying or freezing, too. What a deal!
Choices
The variety of potatoes available to the home gardener today is amazing. One mail order catalogue lists over 80 named varieties. They come with skins of purple splashed in violet, pale pink to brilliant red, white with pink-red swirls, golden yellow to red-brown, buckskin with splotches of pink or purple around the eyes, and the ever popular white. Spud contours include round, flattened, pear, oval, bumpy, smooth, oblong and fingerling.
"Enough about looks!" you say. "What do they taste like?" Well grown and harvested at the right time most are sweet and nutty. In general taste is related to texture is related to color. Potatoes come in three basic textures.
