I'm confused....potatoes coming up

[jackiedon]

I have 15 tires with potatoes planted. Some are coming up but they are coming up as leaves about 3 and the plant is maybe a half inch high.

I've read about a 3 leaf limit? Do I go ahead and over them more? They are not planted very deep at all. I've covered them with hay and some pine bedding that I had for chicks that was left in the rain and got wet. I have had to add the 2nd tire mainly just to keep the chickens out of them. They were digging my potatoes up.

No one around has ever heard of planting in tires and they think I'm crazy. I really want this to work to show them I'm not crazy. Well, I am crazy but not because I'm planting potatoes in tires LOL

jackie

 

[jackiedon]

Ok, I guess if no one is going to answer my question I will move on to another forum to see if I can get answers there.

jackie

 

[Reinbeau]

jackiedon, you posted your questions after 11 pm last night - many were in bed! You have to be patient, there are no paid staff members answering questions 24/7.

I have never planted in tires, but it should be the same as in the ground. You want to keep about three to five leaves above the level of the soil. Potatoes form over the seed potato you plant.

 

[Purple Strawberry]

If you were going to plant potatoes in a raised bed built for just potatoes how many would you say you could plant in three 4' L x 2' W x 12" D beds? Or what other size bed do you recommend?

 

[setter4]

If you were going to plant potatoes in a raised bed built for just potatoes how many would you say you could plant in three 4' L x 2' W x 12" D beds? Or what other size bed do you recommend?

I answered this on the other thread you posted it on but I will repeat here...
I would only plant 4 plants down the center of each bed.

 

[Purple Strawberry]

If you were going to plant potatoes in a raised bed built for just potatoes how many would you say you could plant in three 4' L x 2' W x 12" D beds? Or what other size bed do you recommend?

I answered this on the other thread you posted it on but I will repeat here...
I would only plant 4 plants down the center of each bed.

I know I am sorry, I just wanted a response so I could build them tonight.

So for each bed 4 potatoes?

 

[setter4]

If you were going to plant potatoes in a raised bed built for just potatoes how many would you say you could plant in three 4' L x 2' W x 12" D beds? Or what other size bed do you recommend?

I answered this on the other thread you posted it on but I will repeat here...
I would only plant 4 plants down the center of each bed.

I know I am sorry, I just wanted a response so I could build them tonight.

So for each bed 4 potatoes?

That's what I would do....JMHO

 

[smom1976]

mine came up just like you were describing.. three leaves to a branch so to say.. I have been covering them up.. the whole thing.. and not really leaving much out at all and they come right up through..

I am finding out .. that I am having to cover up like every two days.. I think some of my dirt is "leaking" out due to the rain we have been having.. :/

it is very sandy and prone to being moved with water..

 

[Southern Gardener]

My potatoes are also coming up - I have 2-3 leaves the last time I checked. We've had rain all week long - almost 2". After a rain like this it takes my garden about a week to dry out - I hope they don't rot! :/

 

[jackiedon]

mine came up just like you were describing.. three leaves to a branch so to say.. I have been covering them up.. the whole thing.. and not really leaving much out at all and they come right up through..

I am finding out .. that I am having to cover up like every two days.. I think some of my dirt is "leaking" out due to the rain we have been having.. :/

it is very sandy and prone to being moved with water..

This is where I am so confused is I've read the green needs the sun but then I've heard if there are more than 3 leaves it will not produce. So I cover up with hay and then the next day I will take the hay out so it can get sunshine and then I go back and cover.

We have been getting a lot of rain. We have sandy soil but I'm sure not as much as you do. So I just don't know how what to do.

Thanks,

jackie