We had decent success last year. Only hilled them 2 times and got more than we needed.
However, that was a kid project I don't intend to repeat unless potato prices start tracking with beef.
2026 Garden Thread
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However, that was a kid project I don't intend to repeat unless potato prices start tracking with beef.
Was thinking about doing them in grow bags this year as the corner of the garden we planted them got too much moisture
I have sufficient garden space so over plant our needs. I rarely purchase seed and rely on last years leftovers for seed. I plant in rows of compost hilled in rows on top of the ground. No digging but rather sifting by hand though the compost to retrieve them. My additional benefit is enriching the soil by incorporating the compost post season and rotating the bed to a new area. Not the most economic use if you have limited garden space but I savor "new" Yukon Golds as opposed to store bought.
The standard mentality in our area is to plant potatoes on Good Friday. Tomorrow's temp is supposed to be in the 80's with frequent chances of rain throughout the week. Temps will approach freezing a couple nights this week but ground temps at the 4 inch level should be protected--so my plan is to plant at least half my intentions this year tomorrow afternoon. The Yukon Golds I plant are early maturing and don't store as well as some others so I stager my plantings, but my experience has always been higher yields on the earlier planted ones. My efforts may turn out to be futile but can't wait to enjoy the weather and get some dirt under my fingernails for the first time this year
Potatoes last year (also in central Iowa) were not as big or plentiful as the year before which was an exceptional year. I would say last year was an average yield.
I do like growing some potatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Easiest harvest ever. I have five 1.25" diameter holes in the bottom of the bucket that I trim a paper sack or pizza cardboard to fit at the bottom, then I fill the bucket 1/3 full with compost and potting soil mix. I plant the seed potato, bury the pail in the garden to that fill line. Then I add dried grass clippings with a bit of compost or potting soil as the plants grow. This has always worked great.
"Planting" the pails in the ground keeps them from tipping over in the wind (inevidable in this state} and reduces the need to water as the paper breaks down and moisture is either drawn up, or because the sun doesn't bake the moisture out as fast.
I do like growing some potatoes in 5 gallon buckets. Easiest harvest ever. I have five 1.25" diameter holes in the bottom of the bucket that I trim a paper sack or pizza cardboard to fit at the bottom, then I fill the bucket 1/3 full with compost and potting soil mix. I plant the seed potato, bury the pail in the garden to that fill line. Then I add dried grass clippings with a bit of compost or potting soil as the plants grow. This has always worked great.
"Planting" the pails in the ground keeps them from tipping over in the wind (inevidable in this state} and reduces the need to water as the paper breaks down and moisture is either drawn up, or because the sun doesn't bake the moisture out as fast.
I grew them in 5 gallon buckets last year, as well. Makes harvest a lot easier.
A final update...Sold 600 baskets this weekend. This is our 4th year and I guess we've officially been discovered.
Keeping seeds alive through that first long stretch is half the battle, so tweaking your method after a few tries is the right move. I’ve been doing something similar while juggling my own orchard projects, and working with indoor plants has actually helped me fine-tune my watering habits and timing. That patience transfers pretty well to fruit trees, especially the fussier ones like peaches.
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Each year I garden seems to present problems in one area or another that prevents me from having excellent results across all crops--growling temps, rainfall, planting dates, insects, etc. This year I have encountered less problems simply because I have downsized but not all went well. Diligent on weeding I've maintained as clean a garden as ever. The spinach crop was very good. Just as with last fall's crop, I had better germination/stands with saved seeds than purchased and looking back that may have been a result of me subconsciously seeding heavier with the saved seed not knowing it's viability.
Green beans (Blue Lake/saved seed) are on par with the best I've grown. Table use for myself because of last year's carryover but have shared over 30 quarts for canning and they should produce till frost.
Potatoes (Yukon Gold/from last years leftovers) planted Mar 30 prolific but smaller than normal and dying from maturity so they won't get larger. New potatoes are next level delicious.
Tomatoes (Amish Paste/saved seed) look awesome but have set very few fruits. I am attributing this to extreme heat affecting pollination which should change during our cooldown.
My peach tree venture has been all over the spectrum. Gave several away with no feedback on success as of yet. Personally I planted 5--two of which failed, two that are holding their own and one that is trying to peek out of the 5' tree tube protecting it. I plan to replant the two that didn't make it from the few surviving potted ones I have left. My guess is that I lost them to drowning with the stretch of excessive rainfall we endured, just as I lost most of the pots buried to the soil line in a raised bed.
I still enjoy gardening/canning/preserving but my philosophy has changed to let the stores provide green peppers, onions, and such that don't store well and I use in limited quantities. A bumper crop ends up in jars on the shelf and carryover dictates planting intentions the following year but I still am vested enough to grow simply for sharing with those that used to garden but can't anymore. Hope yours is doing well.
Green beans (Blue Lake/saved seed) are on par with the best I've grown. Table use for myself because of last year's carryover but have shared over 30 quarts for canning and they should produce till frost.
Potatoes (Yukon Gold/from last years leftovers) planted Mar 30 prolific but smaller than normal and dying from maturity so they won't get larger. New potatoes are next level delicious.
Tomatoes (Amish Paste/saved seed) look awesome but have set very few fruits. I am attributing this to extreme heat affecting pollination which should change during our cooldown.
My peach tree venture has been all over the spectrum. Gave several away with no feedback on success as of yet. Personally I planted 5--two of which failed, two that are holding their own and one that is trying to peek out of the 5' tree tube protecting it. I plan to replant the two that didn't make it from the few surviving potted ones I have left. My guess is that I lost them to drowning with the stretch of excessive rainfall we endured, just as I lost most of the pots buried to the soil line in a raised bed.
I still enjoy gardening/canning/preserving but my philosophy has changed to let the stores provide green peppers, onions, and such that don't store well and I use in limited quantities. A bumper crop ends up in jars on the shelf and carryover dictates planting intentions the following year but I still am vested enough to grow simply for sharing with those that used to garden but can't anymore. Hope yours is doing well.
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Planted a Peach Tree 4 years ago.
Year 3- got our first peaches- 15 or so.
This year (4)- My little tree has to have at least 200 peaches on it.
Ya Peaches...right, but this tree can't hold them. Branches are snapping. Now it has developed a major crack between the 2 main Branches. The top might split in half
I tried to ratchet strap the main beams together for support.
Oh the joys.....
Year 3- got our first peaches- 15 or so.
This year (4)- My little tree has to have at least 200 peaches on it.
Ya Peaches...right, but this tree can't hold them. Branches are snapping. Now it has developed a major crack between the 2 main Branches. The top might split in half
I tried to ratchet strap the main beams together for support.
Oh the joys.....
The issues you have with your tree are self inflicted. By description it sounds like your tree had a double leader. Peach trees should be pruned so they form three or four scaffold branches with the center left open or can be allowed to grow and form a second set of scaffolds above the first, with the center terminated and left open. I learned this too late on mine, but was able to somewhat correct their growth so they could support the fruit. In their fourth year my two Trees produced over 1200 peaches some weighing up to 17 ounces. Google says typical store bought peaches are 5-6 ozPlanted a Peach Tree 4 years ago.
Year 3- got our first peaches- 15 or so.
This year (4)- My little tree has to have at least 200 peaches on it.
Ya Peaches...right, but this tree can't hold them. Branches are snapping. Now it has developed a major crack between the 2 main Branches. The top might split in half
I tried to ratchet strap the main beams together for support.
Oh the joys.....
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