1 Potato 2 Crops.

Intro: 1 Potato 2 Crops.

Around this time of year we always run out of space in the vegetable garden. But as Lady Nature

would have it.... first early spuds are ready to harvest right now, freeing up much needed room for -

gherkins!

However, instead of throwing the haulm on the compost heap

here's a simple way of getting a second crop.

STEP 1: Harvest As Per Usual.

Dig yer spuds.

Clear your rows of potatoes selecting only the healthiest plants for use, burn any that look diseased.

STEP 2: Red Duke of York.

I was a bit disappointed with the yield, never mind - I can give them a second chance in pots whilst freeing up much needed planting space. Pot's in pots!

STEP 3: Be Careful With These.

Carefully harvest your potatoes taking care not to damage the haulm ( the leaf, stem and roots ) and take care not to break off any of the micro spuds. It's these little potatoes that we usually miss and they then regrow next year right where we don't want them. Transport them to a bucket and we can fatten them up for eating this year.

STEP 4: Replant the Haulms.

Grab a large plant pot - 30cm diameter - or any container, here I've used a florists bucket approximately 10 litres, drill out enough drainage holes so as to retain moisture without swamping the plant. You can add a little potato fertiliser if you must, bagged compost is usually rich enough.

STEP 5: Water Well.

Give 'em a good soaking, let them recover in the shade for a day and then position in full sun if possible.

STEP 6: Second Chance.

Put them on a sunny deck or veranda, a deep windowsill or the front yard, anywhere you have room.
Remember that these spuds are now captive and extra dependent on you for tlc, give them a big drink every day, the black plastic will warm the compost up and those micro spuds will be ready for harvest in a few weeks. Then you can put the haulms in your composter.

Happy harvesting!

Comments

[WVSundown]

I did not know there was potential for more potato growth after the initial harvest! I'll have to try this, being very careful not to destroy the plant, to see if I can get more spuds. Thanks for the info!

[bosherston]

ps I'd really love to see an instructable on toad houses!

[WVSundown]

I may have to accommodate you with one then. All the Instructables I wanted to upload have already been done. Seems I'm not as innovative as I thought, lol.

[bosherston]

I can see only one other ibble on toad housing - when you consider the amount of ATX = bench PSU instructables ( I'm not knocking them ) I think there's room for more cribs for Bufo-Bufo :)

[bosherston]

You're welcome. Remember that you need the micro-spuds in there amongst the root ball, and that you need to water frequently if not daily depending on your climate.

[treesneedtobehugged]

Yes Arizona lol I will try using the netting for shad, water is a issue so i use drip irrigation, no commercial growers of spuds in AZ as far as i know and i don't think i have room in my 4x4 raised bed to have sweet potatoes.

[treesneedtobehugged]

Nice instructable but could this be practiced in hot climates and what are ways you can cook spuds?

[bosherston]

Thanks! Hmm - Arizona is it? I'm not at all clued about what does / does not grow in your climate. Here in Wales we're lucky to get much sun in the summer, so heat is rarely a problem. Wait 'til you hear this - 1976 was the last time Britain had a drought to be proud of. I do know that nurseries ( the plant kind ) in Greece ( well hot in Summer ) keep their stock shaded with the green netting you get on scaffold, so maybe try using that? Is water an issue where you live? We can grow anything anywhere, but the effort and energy expended in doing so may outweigh the reward, it's fun to push at the boundaries though, I keep having a go at pineapples, no luck yet. I once tried to grow spud potatoes in car tyres in the Caribbean - ended up just feeding the local ants, but it was worth it just to watch 'em cart the little chunks back down the line. Any commercial growers of spuds in Arizona? Have a look at how they do it and adapt for the garden. You may have better luck with sweet potatoes? As for '....what are they ways you can cook spuds?' You're joking right? :)