April Showers Bring May Potatoes

In South Mississippi the tater planting season is under way, and our multi-talented member C. Lott agreed to help me publish this handy tutorial.

First you want to till up a good spot. Chris tells me that the ideal size is "about as big as a car and a half". Throw in some composted manure, maybe a little fertilizer and till it up good and deep. Then hip it up into rows.

Buy some seed taters at your local farm supply store and cut them into pieces so that each piece has 3 or 4 eyes. Grocery store potatoes would work but the genuine seed taters have some good old fashioned chemicals to keep off bugs etc. After you cut them up let them sit in the sun 12 to 24 hours to dry out.

Forced labor makes the next step go much easier. Dig holes into the hipped up rows and stick in the potato cuts with the skin side up. Cover up and pat with a loving touch. The top of the potato is probably 2 inches underground and the holes are about a foot apart.

Now just sit back and relax. C. Lott says 5 lbs of seed taters makes 50-60 lbs of eating taters. An old man told me that the thing with taters is the more you water them the more you've got to water them. Since it's wet all spring anyway watering shouldn't be a problem, and this particular patch art to be ready mid-May. Then you plant your peppers, etc. By the way, I planted my taters the next day and we will keep you posted on the progress. Any other gardening pictures / advice is sure welcome.