The big experiment began today. I think I got the interested parties; if I didn’t, or included someone who isn’t interested, sorry.
Good Friday I planted 12 Russet Burbank potatoes in the normal manner. I bit over a week ago, they still were not up, so I bought another identical package to replant them...then it rained for a few days. When I could again think about planting, all of them had emerged, and I was stuck with the extras. Today, the solution hit me: a competitive trial!
Where the next row over would have been, had I decided to use them in another row, I tilled it today, then moved 5 old 16” pickup tires into place, then dug in fertilizer at the same rate as the originals received, and planted 2 seed pieces in each tire. That allows the same spacing, both inside the tires, and from tire to tire, to be the same used in the regular rows. I have enough tires to stack at least 3 high; and can easily get more for free, if needed; and I have enough straw on hand for this.
Same variety; same soil; same fertilizer; same spacing; same watering. We’ll see what the yields are between the two; and compare sizes as well.
Excellent, AR.
/johnny
How cool! Please keep us informed on progress! I’m guessing that BOTH methods could turn out well! But one might be easier than the other...
I am pleased with the little cage mesh I put up around mine, since I don’t have space to do a conventional “hill.” The dirt is about 4-6 inches above the surface of the rest of the bed. I’ve been wondering if I should dump more dirt in there. The first potato plant is putting out a flower!
I showed my potatoes pic's of Tubebender's Potatoes. My potatoes became so depressed, they are now on suicide watch.