Collins Country

Hopeless Gardener Needs Your Expertise!

Last year I ruined my little pumpkin patch by watering regularly every day (I found out later that in our area it's not necessary - the local pumpkin patch never waters!).

I live on the North Coast of CA, so we don't have hot, dry summers.  I have planted potatoes both in garbage cans and the ground.  According to what I've read, the potatoes need plenty of water, but not too much.  So helpful.

1. How often do they need to be watered (once a day/once a week)?
2. How do you know how much to water?
3. What should the soil feel like?
4. What are signs of too much water?  Too little water?

My starts may have been over watered, but then, they may have been under-watered.  They are in front of windows in my house, so a nice even temperature.

I planted them in paper egg cartons and water with a spray bottle.  How much is too much.  I was probably spritzing each egg cup two sprays in the morning,that's it...now I am doing four squeezes.  Daily.

Help.

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{ 07:07 , Thursday, March 29, 2007 } { Posted by Kitty }

Im sitting right next to you in the boat so when you find out these things, hand them to me lol.
I did the same thing with my pumpkins all these years. I found out recently by watching Little People Big World (he grows them on his farm) that once you put them in the ground, you dont have to water them too much after that. I grew potatoes in some containers last year and everything was going great and about 5 weeks into it, they just died. I ended up with golf ball sized potatoes. I ate them buggers too. So like I said when you get the answers, passed them to me.
A fellow black thumb gardener, LOL
Kitty

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{ 10:25 , Thursday, March 29, 2007 } { Posted by mtdjaques }

you say potato, I say potahto, you say tomato, I say tomahto, potato, potahto, tomato, tomahto, oh let's call the whole thing off. LOL. I have no idea about your dilemma, but It is past my bedtime and I'm getting silly. I responded to your blog about homesteading just so you know. I'll keep my potato eyes peeled (LOL)(LOL)(yes that one deserved 2 lols) about how to solve your problem. My father-in-law grew up on a farm so I'll ask around. His sister, Aunt Betty, is more lucid so she might have some answers. :) I'll leave no family member unturned. I'd better get off the computer and go to bed before I crack myself up. I'm giving myself the giggles.

~ When you say no family member unturned I have disturbing thoughts of you at the cemetery...

Edited by Pattisea on Friday, March 30, 2007 at 01:57

Supposed to die

{ 05:46 , Friday, March 30, 2007 } { Posted by mejerrymouse }

Um...I'm really not sure about the watering--everyone around here keeps telling me that they never water--even in the month of Aug. when it is the most hot and dry. Of course, they don't grow their potatoes in pots either...which I am also going to try this year. But I do know that the potato plants are supposed to die like the one poster mentioned...that's how you know it's time to harvest those potatoes...

Blessings & Enjoy!

Elizabeth

Hey Patti

{ 08:06 , Friday, March 30, 2007 } { Posted by MrsBurns }

I answered your potato timetable question in my comments, in case anyone has the same question.

I would say for the first week or so, you can water every other days and make the soil prtyy moist. Not wringing wet or puddles, but while any seed is sprouting, it needs more moisture than after it sprouts.

I'm a bit unclear on what you've planted; did you plant potato skins in potting soil? In egg cartons? From what I've read, potatoes need a lot of room and you need to keep adding either dirt or straw/mulch as the green plant grows, to try to cover it up.

I'm a rookie at potatoes so if anyone has anything else to add, jump in. Meanwhile, good luck and thanks for visiting my blog.

DeniseB