Potatoes Off To A Great Start

[tulenutn2o]

So........Different patch of 'taters different bugs, I think. Got pics of these buggers. What do you think they are?

UGLY pain in the ARSES!

 

[Duffster]

UGLY pain in the ARSES!

I guess,

I went out and dusted them with lime this afternoon, I could tell right away the little buggers didn't like it.

 

[bp fick]

I guess,

I went out and dusted them with lime this afternoon, I could tell right away the little buggers didn't like it.

Great choice. Did you have any problems finding powdered lime?

 

[Duffster]

Great choice. Did you have any problems finding powdered lime?

Not really.

It wasn't at my normally frequented hardware stores but was at the local larger hardware store. The stuff I got is "hydrated lime". Kinda pricey, I could have bought alot of potatoes with what the lime cost. :laughing:

 

[Chuck52]

What do you guys use for pest prevention? I have some absolutely beautiful squash plants, both zucchini and yellow summer squash. Every year, before I spot them, the squash bugs, which look like stink bugs, get to my squash plants and apparently spread a disease that wipes them out. I usually get some squash, and some years I get lots of squash, but the bugs always win in the end. I don't like to use Sevin on the developing fruits, so I'd like to find something that discourages the buggers before they bite. By the time I see them they seem to have already done the squash plants enough damage to kill them. Would the soap spray, with garlic or pepper, or both, be any good for that, and is there any danger as to when you apply it?

Chuck

 

[bp fick]

Figured it was time for an update. Taters are in full bloom for a week now. Beautiful light purple flower.

Rains have been timely and temperatures warm to hot. Things are doing well, very well. I do have chickens; 25 of them, but haven't turned them loose to forage in the gardens. They aren't entirely trustworthy around things, although they sure are bug eating machines.

Made a little slide show here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB6mgE5NhEM

15 or 16 different vegetables out. I'd say it's been a good year for everything, but the lettuce and onions. Nothing special with those. Everything else is crazy good.

 

[Duffster]

Nice looking crop BP.

How soon after the bloom do the plants start to dry down?

Mine bloomed about a month ago and are starting to look pretty tough and was wondering if this is timely or damage from the bugs that I couldn't seem to control.

 

[bp fick]

Nice looking crop BP.

How soon after the bloom do the plants start to dry down?

Mine bloomed about a month ago and are starting to look pretty tough and was wondering if this is timely or damage from the bugs that I couldn't seem to control.

Hey Duffster, varieties vary. Did you plant an "early" new potato? If so, they'll die down rather quickly, although this seems pretty early. Have you peeked into one of the hills to see what's in there?

 

[Duffster]

Hey Duffster, varieties vary. Did you plant an "early" new potato?

I don't recall, I thought I saved the bags but now can't find them.

Have you peeked into one of the hills to see what's in there?

LOL I sure have, patience isn't my strong suit, I actually dug one plants to get taters for pasty the other night. The largest was a little bigger than a baseball.

 

[bp fick]

Update: Tater digging time.

Plowed up a row of potatoes for the kids to pick up. It's our family gathering week, so it seemed an ideal time to demonstrate to the kids where food actually comes from. The rule was simple. You pick it up, you can take it home. Looks like everyone will be going home with a big 'ol sack of new potatoes.

BTW, best production year ever, at first glance. Looks to be 7 or 8 to one.

Seven or eight pounds back for each pound of seed. 50 lbs were planted, so I would expect between 350 and 400 pounds return. Good year.