Dibbling

[zigs]

Is this a winter crop that is planted in autum and harvested in late spring?

No, potatoes can't go out until frost has passed, or you protect the tops with fleece or cloches.

New potatoes are lovely if you get the cooking water boiling before you dig them and lob them straight in, but to store them it's best to wait 2 weeks after the tops (haulms) have dropped so that the skins harden before digging them.

 

[Meadowlark]

Is this a winter crop that is planted in autum and harvested in late spring?

Planted on Valentines day and harvested before Memorial Day.

 

[Meadowlark]

No, potatoes can't go out until frost has passed, ...

Actually, here, they need to be planted well before last frost date for spring crop...about three weeks before. It takes about that long for them to show above ground and there is no danger of killing frost or freeze until then. So, we plant on Valentines day and by the time the plants show above ground, most of the risk of frost is passed here. Even light freezes aren't fatal...just reduce production somewhat.

The potatoes need every bit of cool weather they can have here while growing and three weeks before last freeze helps with that.

 

[vette-kid]

Is this a winter crop that is planted in autum and harvested in late spring?

Late February planting

 

[zigs]

Actually, here, they need to be planted well before last frost date for spring crop...about three weeks before. It takes about that long for them to show above ground and there is no danger of killing frost or freeze until then. So, we plant on Valentines day and by the time the plants show above ground, most of the risk of frost is passed here. Even light freezes aren't fatal...just reduce production somewhat.

The potatoes need every bit of cool weather they can have here while growing and three weeks before last freeze helps with that.

Started some off in the greenhouse already, should get the first crop by mid June

 

[alp]

Started some off in the greenhouse already, should get the first crop by mid June

View attachment 52778

This really makes me giggle! Clever trick! Carpet offcuts put to GREAT and humble use! Good one, Zigs!

 

[headfullofbees]

I have never grown taters. Any tips for northern gardens?

The best way to start is the simplest: dig out a trench 5" deep, 4 weeks before last frost, or now, if we're past that point.
sow your seed potatoes 12" apart if they're earlies (approx. 12 weeks before harvest), 15" if they're maincrop. (approx. 20 weeks before harvest) Add a touch of lime to deter slugs, backfill trench and earth up (hilling) by 6 " and another 6" when they're through.
Fertilise every six weeks with general purpose fertiliser, last 4 weeks, feed weekly with tomato feed.
Water if very dry.
There are tweaks and tricks to further maximise yields, but for a first time, that should give some success.
Durgan lives farther north than you and is a great source of advice on cultivars etc.

 

[treeguy]

Thank you.