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Old 18-07-2006, 03:52 AM posted to rec.gardens
Zootal
 
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Default Potatoes dying off - normal?

Yeah, I've learned a lot here, and alway get answers.

So - what are the odds of planting potatoes again, now, mid July, and
getting something before winter? It seems to me that these potatoes were
only in the ground for a few months, I'm thinking I might be able to get a
second crop to grow.


wrote in message
oups.com...
Newbie to the group, hope you don't mind me butting in.
Your spuds are probably ready to eat. The plants die back and the
spuds form a tougher skin. Tougher meaning they won't peel when you dig
them. If/ when you see them peaking out of the ground, you should cover
them with dirt. The sun will cause them to turn green. I find the green
part to be bitter.
Someone mentioned hilling. This is done so the spuds will stay
closer to the surface for digging, if they don't have to go down , they
won't.
Been enjoying most of the reading I have done here. Nice group.
Doris
Zootal wrote:
I planted a patch of potatoes mid spring. My girls took a bad of rotten
potatoes that had started to grow, cut them up, and buried them. The
plants
grew like crazy, hit about 3 feet tall. Now, they are starting to die for
no
reason that I can see. Is this normal? I thought they would grow until
frost
killed them. There are no diseases I'm aware, no obvious insect damage.
Plus
I can actually see the tops of several potatoes on the surface, is that
also
normal? Never grown potatoes before, did not know what to expect.