I grow mostly early and mid-early potatos...but there hasn't been much blight around this year, so I am leaving the plants in the ground longer than usual, and have been having some tremendous harvests. Yesterday, I lifted the last of the plants. As soon as it stops raining, I will weed and rake the ´tater plot level and plant some green manure. I wanted to show some pics of the harvest throughout the season. Charlotte and Koopman´s Blauwe all laid out nice and neat to dry. What we call a `stoel` of Koopman´s Blauwe. These plants are just loaded! You can almost see the little blueish eyes in this spud. The Charlottes are doing well and here are a few of the prettier and unusually formed ones. Charlottes and Koopman´s Blauwe in the basket and ready for the transfer home. A basketful of Linzer Delicatess. Here is the potato patch half empty. I tell you, lifting potatos are one of the things that I like most in gardening. The Rozevals are really doing superbly this year and are so tasty. This lovely stoel is typical. I was getting between 19 and 25 edible spuds per stoel. That makes me one happy jongen. Some of the Rozevals spread out to dry before taking home. One type that did not give lots were the Harliquins...but that they did yield, was quite nice. Here is the harvest of four plants...not much, but boy, oh boy--do these ever taste delicious! The last potatos that I harvested yesterday are on the north porch and drying now before storing them in a dark place. You know, all the discussion of veggies is making me VERY hungry. It´s time to eat. Seeyah later.... Rumble, grumble...roarrrr...rumble, rumble. --Sorry, my tum is letting me know how empty it is.
Mmmmm, I love spuds Sjoerd! I didn't plant any this year because of my sore back and that family of Kildeer in the garden. Next year I won't do without!
Sjoerd, thanks for answering my question about the runners on the spuds. I see they are normal. The round redish potatoes you have in the second picture - I think - is what we call Pontiac Red and its what we grew. We took up the last row and had a nice harvest. About half a bushel. You are a great potato farmer.
Now, you've got way too much for yourselves there, and I'll happily take a few off your hands. What a lovely potato harvest you've got there. I'm green with envy.
NETTY--So sorry that you werewn't able to plant spuds this year. Glad the Kildee was left to brood though. that's important too, right? Next year then. Passing the plate your way, EJ-- Thank you DRISSEL. They have a deliciopus flavour. You are welcome, GROWINGPAINS--About the round, red taters: I am not sure that they are the same as Pontiac Red. I have read up about the Pontiac Reds as a possibility for my trials. It is true that many spud-types have several names, so I can't say with certainty at this moment, but I do not think that they are the same. I ought to investigate this. Thanks for the compliment, GP. It sounds like you had a very sucessful season too. Congrats. Will you grow the same sort next year? I usually keep two types and try two new ones . I keep finding ones with such good flavours that it makes it difficult NOT to grow them. hahaha...but the testing must go on. I like variety in life. DROOPY-- Shall I organize a lorry heading for Norway? I have way more than I can eat, I am afraid. All the types did quite well this year, except for the Harliquins (they had such tiny and poor quality seed potatos that it's no wonder). I have the whole patch empty now and the back porch has crates stacked up to the ceiling. Oh dear--so many potatos and so little time to eat them in.
Very nice crop. They are one of my favorite vegetables, love them backed, mashed, fried or in a salad, especially new potatos. I noticed the heart shaped one in the group photo. :-D I recently received email on the subject...thought you might enjoy it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7uyKYeG ... re=related
what a wonderful bounty sjoerd! i'm sitting here drooling thinking about when we can harvest ours...got a couple weeks yet... sjoerd, you don't wait till the plants are brown and dried to dig them up? love the potato song gail!
Spuds Sjoerd, have you considered freezing them as hash browns or mashed? For hash browns, I assume one would grate them raw and freeze. We cooked up our first batch and mashed and froze them because they were getting soft. We don't have a cellar for storage nor enough space to make one. We can buy frozen potatoes so why not freeze our own if necessary? Re: Pontiac reds, I just assumed because they look alike. We plan to grow Yukon Gold next year and a few Pontiac Reds. The Pontiac Reds don't bake well and we do so enjoy a good baked potato.
