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Potatoes!

Posted on July 26th, 2006 – 1:39 PM
By Jaime Chismar

The past few weeks, some of potato plants started to yellow. No signs of fungus or insects, I assumed my row of Kerr Pinks were hot weather wimps and would bounce back as soon as the weather cooled.

When the plants started to brown and hang in limp arcs, I knew they were goners. Three healthy rows remained. Their safety was more important then reviving my Kerr quitters.

I grabbed the plants firmly at the base, half expecting them to crumble in my hands. As I ripped the roots from the soil, it started to rumble. My withered stems were suddenly very heavy and very determined to stay in the ground.

I pulled harder, this time with both hands. The soil suddenly yielded — And out popped a handful of potatoes!

My Kerr Pinks weren’t quitters. They were early finishers! And quite tasty fried in olive oil and garlic.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 26th, 2006 at 1:39 pm and is filed under Potatoes. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

7 Responses to "Potatoes!"

Michael says:

July 26th, 2006 at 4:32 pm

Who do you think would win in a fight? You or Ka-Blog?

Greengirl says: With this bum hamstring, I’d be K.O.’ed by Kablog in 20 seconds flat.

Tracy says:

July 27th, 2006 at 8:41 am

Potatoes always surprise me. This year mine grew like jungle plants until about two weeks ago, when they started looking like your “before” picture. I’ve pulled a few and we’ve had some delicious steamed fingerlings. You can also leave them in the ground for awhile and pull later.

Greengirl says: I planted fingerlings, too. Now, I can hardly wait for those yellowing leaves.

Rebecca M. says:

July 31st, 2006 at 12:23 pm

Wow, those are nice looking potatoes, i’m jealous!
How is your Suyo cucumber doing? Mine has two cukes just about ready to pick, they look a little strange though. Hope they taste better than they look!

FYI, my Hungarian Heart is doing very well, has some huge tomatoes on it.

Greengirl says: Saddly, my Suyo is no more, however, they’re on my list for next year. How do they taste?

Lorika says:

August 1st, 2006 at 11:12 am

Wow- potatoes! I think I should grow some next year, I’ve been very jealous of everyone elses this year. And, I LOVE potatoes.

I’d be curious about your Soyu’s also, as I am growing 3 plants, and all they have so far are blossoms. I did get them plants late, but I also have noticed “potato beetles” on the blossoms. Those buggers better not be hurting my cukes! They did apparently destroy the little Cocozelle in the picture on my blog though. Bastards! Sigh.

Greengirl says: Hail, insects, drout — You’ve had the worst luck this year Ms. Lorika. My coworker’s potatoes were devoured by potato beetles this year, sneakly little buggers. Potatoes are really hardy and can live with only 30% of their foliage.

I’ll swap you some taters for an heirloom tomato or two.

debw says:

August 1st, 2006 at 12:32 pm

Lorika,
I think you have cucumber beetles, same shape, Yellow & green instead of yellow and black. They need a squirt of insect soap or they multiply and take out everything including the vines. They also carry fungus from plants elsewhere…
If you can’t bear to use any insecticide then hand pick them and squish so they don’t take over.

Rebecca M. says:

August 2nd, 2006 at 4:34 pm

Hey Lorika, have a little patience with the Suyo’s, mine set fruit much later than my other varieties.

As for insecticide, the organic soap sprays specifically made of potassium are a decent choice- totally non-toxic to humans and the environment, but quickly kills any insects eating the targeted plant.

Sourire11 says:

August 9th, 2006 at 8:04 am

Those look great… and ANYTHING is good fried in olive oil and garlic
I’m so going to grow potatoes next year…