Digging Those 'Taters Time Again

bp fick · Aug 25, 2014

Always try to plan on digging the potatoes when some of the grand kids (suburban kids) are around for "their week" with nana and papa. I plow them up with potato plow and the girls root around and toss them into buckets, which get emptied into the loader.

The loader also make a nice wash basin. Wash, dump, let dry and back to the fields for another load.

Went and got some of the onions too.

oldballs · Aug 25, 2014

Good looking happy helpers there, BP; and nice looking harvest too. Potato plowed mine a month ago (down south here :laughing

. Last year had the Red Viking potato, but this year grew the Irish Cobbler. I don't wash mine but try to dig them when it is fairly dry. Since I give most away, the receivers just take them "as is". I grocery bag about 10 lbs to a sack and set them on the basement floor (about 200 lbs), where they "keep" pretty well for 3-4 months. Haven't had a Potato Beatle in several years. It's beautiful sight when they all bloom.
Cheers,
Mike

bp fick · Aug 25, 2014

I always feel good about an 8 to 1 return. 100 pounds in, 800 pounds back out. This year, due to unusual frequent rains, the return was almost 1000 pounds. Bumper. Did 4 varieties this year. Had a bit of blight on the reds, but nothing too awful bad. Not a spot on the whites, the golds, or the Russets.

No matter how rusty the plow gets setting around, it always polishes up shiny new after digging the potatoes.

TexasBoy · Aug 26, 2014

Looking good! We put up our Red Lasodas a while back now.

oldballs · Aug 26, 2014

Couple more comments, BP. Those yellow onions look outstanding. Most of mine didn't get that big. Had some white one also, but they don't store as well as the yellow.

You'll appreciate this. That Middle Buster (Potato Plow) I wasn't watching close enough when first mounted and it tore out a hunk of side board that was the edge for a gravel drive. Now that big model "B" was suppose to set high enough (vs the BX).....I guess the operator has to remember to raise the 3 pt.

Egon · Aug 26, 2014

Potato digging time always reminds me of just freezing weather, a stiff breeze, maybe a few snowflakes coming down and dragging a burlap sack as it was being filled.