potatoes

**itlw8** · 04-29-2008, 11:22 AM

around here people tend to plant potatoes in mid to late march. Is there any reason I can not plant them later ??? I have never tried potatoes and I thought I might stick some in.... I live in Missouri.

**mommy4ever** · 04-29-2008, 12:43 PM

potatoes are a cool weather crop. Depending on where you are, will depend on when to plant. Once it's hot the plants wither and die and they don't produce. If you plant late, you'll get a small yeild compared to if you would have planted earlier. I don't plant anymore, since I can get them 50lbs for $5. I use the space for other veggies that I don't get a good deal on.

**IntlMom** · 04-29-2008, 01:41 PM

here's a question:
How do they take to break the surface once I've planted them? I planted mine about a month ago and nothing yet......do you think they are still living under the surface? or did I flop at my first potato attempt?

**Backtoreality** · 04-29-2008, 05:28 PM

Don't worry, I planted mine on Easter; and just this past week I got leaves poking thru. I was thinking the same thing "I must have planted too early" But finally I saw some Progress!!!

Just give it time, mine took 5 weeks to poke thru this year!

**Thrifty Mom** · 04-29-2008, 09:51 PM

I have broken several of the potato "rules " , but have still done OK with them. I have never planted in March, usually in early May & I have never bought the slips, or seed potatos. I started by planting some potaotes that sprouted ( The whole potato, my friend assured me it would not grow). Then each year since then I have had some of the little tiny ones left which I plant & they grow. We had quite a yield last year. I think I just bought two bags @ the grocery all year. I enjoy it, have plenty of room & if they don't grow, so what!

**ShawnaRae** · 04-30-2008, 11:54 AM

I was late getting my garden in last year, due to a move, and didn't plant potatoes until the beginning of June. Awesome crop anyways! I planted in a spot with some midday shade, and as the tops poked through, I piled more soil on top so they would grow higher. I had to dig down deep to get at all the potatoes. Also, there are earl, mid and late potatoes.