Potatoes

Back in April I had read on Pinterest that you could grow potatoes in laundry baskets.  I was intrigued so I decided to give it a try.  I didn't think to take a picture of them as they continued their phases of growth.  I had to do what is called hilling in which you add dirt as the stem of the plants grow, eventually having dirt all the way to the top of the basket.  So, in looking through my photo library, I was able to crop to give you an idea of what I had.



All total I had 3 baskets.  It was stated that each basket would yield 7-10 lbs of potatoes.  I was excited.  Now, knowing nothing about potatoes, my lush green plants died.  I attributed it to the lack of rainfall and scorching heat throughout the months of late May and June.  I thought, well, that was an experiment I dare not repeat.  However, in dumping out the soil to use for another use, I found there were potatoes in there after all!  Not the 7-10 lbs claimed, but enough from all 3 baskets to make a meal.  I did have to throw 7 potatoes out due to rot.  I was disappointed because they were at one time big ones.  The only remnant of them were the skins enveloping mush.  I guess there is a certain time to harvest, but I have no clue when.  The potatoes I have are rather bumpy.  But I am hoping they are at least tasty. 



If I would have harvested at the proper time I would have collected a total of 21 potatoes, 7 in each of the 3 baskets.  Given I yielded a small harvest gives me a glimmer of hope that with a little more research perhaps I can perfect this interesting way of growing potatoes!  The good news is...it doesn't require a lot of space in our quaint backyard.