I grew taters! Like, really really yummy ones! I’m a tater-maker, woo hoo!!!
You may remember all the way back in April, I posted an article outlining how to grow potatoes in tire towers. I started my own tater seeds that month, and would periodically update every few months. Everything seemed to be going swimmingly, but there’s really no way to tell what’s going on under all that dirt.
Recently, I decided it was time to harvest. To be honest, I think I jumped the gun a bit. I was supposed to stop watering and let the greenery die back slowly, which would give the little spuds time to mature into big spuds. But I was also supposed to harvest before the first rain, or risk squishy spuds rotting in the mud.
Well, a few weeks ago we got a ton of rain here. I spooked, I guess, and decided to dismantle the towers before the greenery had died back. Maybe it wasn’t the best decision, but it was the one I felt I had to make. So I began digging. And sifting. And removing. And digging. And two full tires down I was really starting to worry, until . . .
Eureka! I think I actually squealed.
All in all it took me over an hour to break down the stacks. In total, I only found one potato higher than the third tire. Almost all of them were clustered in the second tire (the tire the seeds had been planted in), which I didn’t expect. As well, many of them were teeny tiny. So perhaps they’d needed to mature after all.
In the end, my haul was pretty puny. Not that I’m complaining, and it actually seems on par with what other bloggers have gotten out of this project. I wonder what we’re all doing wrong?
I’m still debating about whether or not I’ll do this again. If I do, I’ll definitely keep my stacks lower – maybe seed in tire #1 and then only stack three high. That way, energy can go to growing existing taters, instead of growing more green foliage.
The crotchety Russets. They’re so mutant!
My pile of Yukon Gold nuggets. This was the largest yield for sure.
And finally the Reds, with quite a size range!
Am I disappointed with my harvest? Hells No!! I’m so proud of what I grew, and thrilled it worked at all. For a first time spud farmer, I’ve got no complaints.
Of course, the fact that they’re maybe the richest, tastiest taters I’ve ever eaten, certainly helps!
First meal: crushed Yukons with herbed gravy. The Yukons taste like butter.
Kelly
25 September, 2009
You can never be disappointed when Mother Earth gives back, no matter great or small. Wonderful! Well done. The meal looks mmm mmm gooood! :o)
Sayward
25 September, 2009
@ Kelly – Thanks, and I totally agree! Anything grown at home is a gift. And yes, it was soooo good, muahaha.
Heather
25 September, 2009
How freakin’ cool is that!? We’re gonna be moving to Colorado next year, and will probably have limited space and little fertile ground, so this will be an AWESOME way to grow some taters! Thanks for posting this :)
Tenise Rae
25 September, 2009
Wow. Is there anything you CAN’T do?? Amazing! LOL.
Kimberly
25 September, 2009
I was told to fill the bottom tire with dirt and plant the potatoes and then repeat for each tire you stack up. As the season progresses you remove the top tire to harvest and then the next level sprouts. I’m not sure if this way actually works but you can give it a try!!
Dylan
26 September, 2009
Re: why such small yield and why all at the original level. Several things jump out at me. First the above ground plants looked healthy but small, so I suspect fertility was an issue. Second, judging from the pictures the towers seem to be up against either the north-side of the fence or the east-side of the fence, meaning that they would only get good direct sun at mid-day or in the morning which is problematic. And, though I’ve never tried the tower method or tires, I have understood part of the advantage was the heat gain that tires have because of their matte black surface, so your charming sense of aesthetics may be working against you there. Finally, it seems that a raised system like this would need extra water, the looseness of the soil and great drainage leaving the soil on the dry side. This may be why the stems didn’t put out new roots as they got buried- the upper layers of soil were too dried out.
As far as fertility, again from the pictures the soil didn’t appear to have a lot of compost or potting soil, the greenness of the leaves suggest there was enough nitrogen but I have heard that potassium is especially good for potatoes- so maybe some wood ashes or greensand? Concentrates Inc. http://www.concentratesnw.com/ in SE Portland is a good place to buy stuff like that cheap. If nitrogen is a factor chicken manure or urine (yes urine-check this out: http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/2883396/Want-a-bumper-tomato-crop-Take-a-leak)would be easy for you, and cottonseed meal would work as a vegan source.
For perfect shaped potatoes sandy soil works best, fresh organic matter can cause scab esp. for russets,and finally, in my experience, rain is not a worry in terms of rot until Nov. at the earliest, those little spuds could have grown to full size if left in through Oct.
However, you still yielded quite well for the square footage they occupied and it seems like a pretty easy way to grow and harvest potatoes!
Sayward
27 September, 2009
@ Heather – Yes, this is the perfect way to maximize small space gardening. Good luck!
@ Tenise Rae – Oh man, YES there is plenty I can’t do! Haha. Whistling comes to mind . . . =)
@ Kimberly – That’s an interesting concept, I’ll have to look into that method. Thanks!
@ Dylan – You’re good! Yes yes yes, I think you’re correct with all your analysis. Especially the sandy soil/fertilizer issue. The soil was really hard packed and I didn’t add any compost or anything. I don’t think sunlight was a huge problem, but maybe contributed. And I think water was an issue.
Ah well, you live and learn, and I love learning! Thanks for all the awesome tips. You definitely know your stuff. =)
Courtney
28 September, 2009
That herbed gravy sure does look appetizing. Could you share the recipe? :)
Allie
28 September, 2009
Huzzah for your first potato harvest! Those look like some first-rate, super tasty little taters. I second the request for the gravy recipe!
April
28 September, 2009
Sorry for a silly question, but…are those taters raw??
Sayward
30 September, 2009
@ April – The ones on the plate? Nope, all cooked and mashed with olive oil, salt, and pepper. =)
12 Comments to Potato Harvest: The Tire Tower Project