I planted 3 rows of seed potatoes from a nursery in my small garden and they just finished flowering. I am so happy with how well they grew that I want to save some to plant next year. Are there any special instructions for saving potatoes for seed? Do you just set aside some that you will *try* not to eat and keep them in a cool dark place?
Thanks to everyone for answering my questions so far. This page is an invaluable resource, as are my grand-parents-in-law!
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts
Posted - Jun 13 2010 : 06:46:37 AM
goodmorning girls, i grow spuds here in ore too. when i dig my hole to harvest we leave a small potatie in the ground. i cover it deep. many will survive our very cold winters and come up on their own in spring. i get earlier potatoes this way too. just a thought. otherwise. i dig dry and then store the seed potatoes in a box in a cool dark place. a spud farmer ere said a potaoe with 3 to 4 eyes is a good one. just a thought sherrye
I have had potatoes winter over in the ground too - ending up as volunteers. I think I have read there is a possibility of disease if you don't get all your potatoes out but I haven't noticed it personally. Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224 "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
Me, too! Some of mine did come back this year. Apparently little tiny spuds that I missed. The only thing about leaving them in the ground is that you ideally want to not plant them in the same spot but every third year. This is to deter scab disease, nematodes, and other tater pests. I keep mine in my pantry.
How do you save seed potatoes?
Posted - Jun 11 2010 : 3:54:01 PM
