We had decent success last year. Only hilled them 2 times and got more than we needed.
However, that was a kid project I don't intend to repeat unless potato prices start tracking with beef.
2026 Garden Thread
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However, that was a kid project I don't intend to repeat unless potato prices start tracking with beef.
Was thinking about doing them in grow bags this year as the corner of the garden we planted them got too much moisture
I have sufficient garden space so over plant our needs. I rarely purchase seed and rely on last years leftovers for seed. I plant in rows of compost hilled in rows on top of the ground. No digging but rather sifting by hand though the compost to retrieve them. My additional benefit is enriching the soil by incorporating the compost post season and rotating the bed to a new area. Not the most economic use if you have limited garden space but I savor "new" Yukon Golds as opposed to store bought.
The standard mentality in our area is to plant potatoes on Good Friday. Tomorrow's temp is supposed to be in the 80's with frequent chances of rain throughout the week. Temps will approach freezing a couple nights this week but ground temps at the 4 inch level should be protected--so my plan is to plant at least half my intentions this year tomorrow afternoon. The Yukon Golds I plant are early maturing and don't store as well as some others so I stager my plantings, but my experience has always been higher yields on the earlier planted ones. My efforts may turn out to be futile but can't wait to enjoy the weather and get some dirt under my fingernails for the first time this year
Potatoes last year (also in central Iowa) were not as big or plentiful as the year before which was an exceptional year. I would say last year was an average yield.
I do like growing some potatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Easiest harvest ever. I have five 1.25" diameter holes in the bottom of the bucket that I trim a paper sack or pizza cardboard to fit at the bottom, then I fill the bucket 1/3 full with compost and potting soil mix. I plant the seed potato, bury the pail in the garden to that fill line. Then I add dried grass clippings with a bit of compost or potting soil as the plants grow. This has always worked great.
"Planting" the pails in the ground keeps them from tipping over in the wind (inevidable in this state} and reduces the need to water as the paper breaks down and moisture is either drawn up, or because the sun doesn't bake the moisture out as fast.
I do like growing some potatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Easiest harvest ever. I have five 1.25" diameter holes in the bottom of the bucket that I trim a paper sack or pizza cardboard to fit at the bottom, then I fill the bucket 1/3 full with compost and potting soil mix. I plant the seed potato, bury the pail in the garden to that fill line. Then I add dried grass clippings with a bit of compost or potting soil as the plants grow. This has always worked great.
"Planting" the pails in the ground keeps them from tipping over in the wind (inevidable in this state} and reduces the need to water as the paper breaks down and moisture is either drawn up, or because the sun doesn't bake the moisture out as fast.
A final update...Sold 600 baskets this weekend. This is our 4th year and I guess we've officially been discovered.
Keeping seeds alive through that first long stretch is half the battle, so tweaking your method after a few tries is the right move. I’ve been doing something similar while juggling my own orchard projects, and working with indoor plants has actually helped me fine-tune my watering habits and timing. That patience transfers pretty well to fruit trees, especially the fussier ones like peaches.
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