Vegetable gardens-

[justplugit]

Almost time to start turning over the soil.
This warm weather has dried out the soil but still not enough according to the old rule not to turn over until you can hold a handful of soil and have it crumble in your hand.

Easy way of growing potatoes is turn over the soil as usual with 5-10-10
but instead of planting the eyes in the soil lay them on top, cover lightly and add
12'' or more of salt hay over the top.. That way they can be picked from under the hay when small by picking up the hay or later when larger.
Green Mountain variety is best for this as you can harvest the small ones for
pea and cream sauce and wait for others for baking. No digging.

[buckman]

Originally Posted by justplugit

Almost time to start turning over the soil.
This warm weather has dried out the soil but still not enough according to the old rule not to turn over until you can hold a handful of soil and have it crumble in your hand.

Easy way of growing potatoes is turn over the soil as usual with 5-10-10
but instead of planting the eyes in the soil lay them on top, cover lightly and add
12'' or more of salt hay over the top.. That way they can be picked from under the hay when small by picking up the hay or later when larger.
Green Mountain variety is best for this as you can harvest the small ones for
pea and cream sauce and wait for others for baking. No digging.

Great tip. Thanks, I'll try that this year.

[FishermanTim]

Potatoes are one of the easiest non-seed crops to grow.
Heck, I've grown them from potato peels that had sprouted in the compost pile.
They are fun because you get to go on a "treasure hunt" in the fall when harvesting.