Life in Tee Harbor, Alaska

 

 

Per person: 5 to 10 pounds

Primary vitamin source: starch, vitamin B & C

 

The key to big harvests is a good rich soil. Grows best in loose, sandy loam. They are not heavy feeders, but they need a slow and steady supply of nutrients throughout the growing season, as supplied by the breakdown of organic matter. You should apply a generous application of compost every year. Additions of manure, bone meal and fish and seaweed emulsions help improve the soil. Spread well-rotted manure and bone meal in spring and plow them under about a week before planting. Fish and seaweed emulsions can be sprayed on about every two weeks during the growing season.

 

Sprout seed potatoes before planting by exposing to temperatures between 40 and 50 degrees about two weeks before planting time. Make sure they get plenty of light or the sprouts will be leggy. Plant out a week or two before last frost date. Using whole seed potatoes will double your yields. Plant with 2 to 4 sprouts – rubbing off extras. Plant 4 inches deep and 9 to 12 inches apart.

 

As the sprouts emerge, they should be hilled up with soil or mulch so that only the top few inches are left uncovered. Hilling should be continued for 3 to 4 weeks until the soil mound or mulch is about a foot high.

 

When the vines have died back about halfway, the harvest can begin. Tubers should be dried in a protected location for a few hours before storing.

 

Harvest amounts average from 2 to 5 pounds per plant on up to 10 pounds. Possible to get 2.5 pounds per square foot.

 

Potatoes store best at 40 degrees.