Thinking you don't have room for potatoes? Think again! Look around. Shopping malls are beginning to use Oriental sweet potatoes in their landscaping and in their potted flowers at street corners. The vine is very pretty and spreads rapidly. Underneath that beautiful, soft, light-green foliage is a collection of tubers that have white flesh, sweet, smooth and succulent when cooked, making it great for baking or boiling. I enjoy the addition of maple syrup to this potato.
The Pauley potato patch generally contains four kinds of potatoes: Russet, Kinnebec, Pontiac red, and one or more varieties of sweet potato. Each type of potato seems to excel at some preparation and the Kinnebec seems to be suitable for all. Red potatoes, especially when very young, are great mixed in with peas or green beans or roasted. The Russet holds its shape well and won't fall apart so easily in soup. Yukon Gold is said to be a terrific French Fry potato. All have great flavor.
Consider where you might plant potatoes: garden, flowerbeds, an upset wheelbarrow, large hanging baskets and patio pots. Potatoes need good drainage and direct sunlight. Mixed with marigolds, you can cut down on insect invasion. Water them regularly. One vine can yield several pounds of fresh-tasting organic potatoes for minimal investment.
When to plant? The farmers of long ago would say to plant potatoes on Good Friday. Apparently the moon is right for root vegetables at that time.
Enjoy your own potato patch in whatever form you choose to give it. This is just one more way to live your life abundantly!
Oh my , this reminds of Dad's parents. My dad would plant so many potatoes and put them in a cellar. I'm such a potato fan esp Sweet Potatoes. My doctor said sweet potatoes are so good for you. Dad would plant on Good Friday also. I'm hoping to plant some this year. So jut plant in large flower pots. What a great idea. I can remember cutting the end of the sweet potato and putting it in water so it would vine. My Mom likes the vines and put on her kitchen sink. Thanks
ReplyDeleteAllie, the pretty plants that I've been seeing in the flower beds are delicious! I grew some last year. With white flesh, they look odd but they are a true sweet potato and, because we have become so used to the yellow yams, it's hard to accept them for being both ornamental and edible!
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