Why aren't you dead?

[Detlor Poultry]

Okay.....

we have potatoes coming up like perrenials. First, why didn't the ground frost and -29C temps. kill them, and second, could they possibly be Nightshades?

 

[catjac1975]

We have potatoes come up every year. Leave them if you can. They will be your earliest potatoes. The mild winter added to their ability to survive but, we in zone 5/6 have these plants come up every year. The minute the soil is warm enough they start to grow. I have often thought of planting my potatoes in the fall for this reason.Never have.

 

[nachoqtpie]

Hmmm....

Do you think this would work in my zone?? (8a)

 

[digitS']

I have saved volunteers and they didn't produce as well as fresh planted seed. I'd say about 50%.

I don't know why this was - same varieties, even. Perhaps it is because the piece missed is very tiny and the seed potato provides more early nutrients. Perhaps it is because of depletion of soil nutrients. Perhaps it is because of cultivation since I'm usually harvesting about the 1st of August - long before the next season of growth.



I discovered some tomato volunteers when I was setting out new plants yesterday. Kind of resent them . . . Even with the early varieties I grow - they will barely be able to mature 1 ripe tomato before the season's end, if that. They have disappointed me too many times to even allow 1 or 2 to remain. Doggone it!

Steve

 

[lesa]

I was super surprised the first year I found potatoes coming up in the spring. Guess mother nature knows something I don't know! They grow great, no hilling- and they taste delish!