Potatoes and Potatoes only.

[Queen K]

What works that is above ground? I'm trying growing in leaves this year, can't be more or less successful than backbreaking digging into the ground.

Potatoes do not work in clay soil. I've tried. Results are so so and hardly worth posting about.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible ... leaves.htm

I'm hopeful people will give some and get some good tips here for just potatoes.

Also, what exotic varieties are fun to grow?

[Relentless]

Potatoes do not work in clay soil.

My garden has clay soil, which I have been modifying every year by adding grow op soil to and removing clay balls.
The trick I have found with clay soil is to plant the potatoes and hill them with loose soil right after planting.
Do not pack growing area by stepping on it.

You can add potting soil to the hole that you place the seed potatoes in as well.
I have had good success with using these methods.
Potatoes grow up to 7 inches long and 3-1/2 inches around.
I usually only grow Russet and Pontiac, 40-50 hills
Too much water is not good for Potatoes either.
Potatoes and carrots need room to grow and like fluffier loose soil

[Queen K]

I noted right away that the pototoes in the compost soil were different from the ones trying to grow into the clay.
I need to order looser, high nutrient dirt.

[Bpeep]

I get 450 to 500 pounds a year from 150 square feet by growing under grass clippings. I grow early mid and late season varieties. I reach in, feel for the big ones and leave the smalls to grow. I pick daily from mid June till freeze up.
Potatoes like unrestricted growth. I get monster size spuds.

[Queen K]

What do you think of my idea of using leaves? I can't get enough grass clippings to save my life, unless some yard landscape company wants to drop them off here and save themselves a trip to the dump.

[Bpeep]

Leaves are great.
Easy to get yard care guys to drop off clippings.
Sometimes lots of dog bombs in it tho.

[Queen K]

I found a hyperdermic needle in a bag of leaves we got from the curbside. But dog bombs are worse. At least the needle was capped.

[Bpeep]

Syringes full of dog bombs are the worst.

[WeatherWoman]

hill them with loose soil right after planting.

we do this too along with adding peat to make the soil super loose.

[dirtybiker]

I've not tried this method personally. I read about it years ago.
Growing in Hay or Straw bales.
http://sustainablegardeningnews.com/gro ... hay-bales/

[Poindexter]

We're trying potahtoes in a pale. Seems more like a science fair project then gardening. Will probably have enough for one Shepard's pie if all goes well.

[Bpeep]

I assume you mean pail?
Potatoes don't like it too hot- shade the pail from direct sun.

[JLives]

I tried the straw method in my potato boxes. I had a small yield but it did work. I grew them in dirt the next year in the boxes and they did much better.

[ok-kel]

Hi.
I need opinions.
I have this metal frame bin that i wanted to grow potatoes in.
It is basically one of those that you would see at Walmart that would hold beach balls.
I love the idea that i could stick my hand through one of the many open squares to reach the potatoes.
I also have 2 bales of straw and great dirt.
If i frames the inside of it with thin cardboard and filled the lower area about 3 ft tall with thick straw and then put in a ft of soil with the seed potatoes in the soil layer, would that work?
Any other ideas?

[Bpeep]

What works that is above ground? I'm trying growing in leaves this year, can't be more or less successful than backbreaking digging into the ground.

Potatoes do not work in clay soil. I've tried. Results are so so and hardly worth posting about.

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible ... leaves.htm

I'm hopeful people will give some and get some good tips here for just potatoes.

Also, what exotic varieties are fun to grow?

Next time u pop by, make a point to peek at my spud patch.
You can stick your arm in up to your shoulder. Nice and rich and totally unrestricted growth.
I grow a few varieties. I pace them early mid and late season.
I like warba for an early season. Big monsters ready in mid June.
Pure white spuds with kinda no skin. Killer spuds for making smushed spuds with fresh dill and butter .