No Potato Regrets (I Hope)

Today started out foggy and misty, but turned into a beautiful day.  Since I finally conceded that it is spring, I went outside and prepared my gardens.  I cleaned up the area where I gardened last year, and I prepared another bed (with the hope of planting many of my tomatoes and hot peppers in that area).  Since it was so nice out, I also decided to start planting some of my potatoes.

As you know from my postings from last year, I saved a couple of little potatoes to plant this spring.  I saved some fingerling, some purple, and some yellow round potatoes.  During the winter, I put these little potatoes in a bowl and set it away from direct light, which helps to slow the growth of tubers on the potatoes.  By this time, little tubers would have grown on the potatoes.  If not, then you'll need to force the tubers to grow (also known as "chit" or "chitting").

My little potatoes already had lots of tubers growing out of each potato, so I thought that I might as well try and plant the potatoes now.  (I put a stick next to each potato to help me remember where I planted the potato.)   I'm hoping I won't regret this decision.  I've also saved one or two potatoes on the side, just in case a late frost hits and wipes out what I've put into the ground.  I'm actually quite excited.  Last year was the first time I grew my own potatoes (and I don't know why I waited so long either).  Although, only two of the four potatoes actually grew last year, I really remember being so excited at harvest time.  It really was like a grown-up version of an Easter egg hunt.

I hope you try growing potatoes in your own garden.  If you want to find out more about chitting potatoes, you can go to the following website:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/howtogrow/fruitandvegetables/7053223/How-to-grow-chitting-and-forcing-potatoes.html