I WISH I WOULD'VE KNOWN THIS EARLIER!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Have you ever tried "green sprouting" or "chitting" seed potatoes? Let us know! GET YOUR SEED POTATOES HERE: bit.ly/3U1p4Hj Use code "LAZYDOGFARM" for a 5% discount 0:00 Intro 2:29 What is Wood Prairie Farm? 4:52 How Are Seed Potatoes Produced? 12:34 What is a Nuclear Potato? 15:32 Do Potatoes Need to Be Chitted? 19:34 When Should You Plant Potatoes? 22:23 Planting Whole vs Cut Potato Pieces? 31:34 Do You Plant Potatoes with the Eyes Up? 33:05 Growing Potatoes in Straw 35:45 Should You Remove Potato Blooms? 39:26 When Should Potatoes Be Harvested?

[@LowcountryGardener]

Quality content like this is why you are one of the best gardening channels on KZbin. 👍🏻

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks!

[@dpaw60]

Agree with this comment for sure.

[@DieterMartin-vp3sk]

Travis, this is the best gardening interview I've seen since I don't know when! Keep up the good work, you are one of the best!

[@thereseboogades8498]

Thank you, Travis & Jim! What an informative session ! How exciting to have much more info moving forward with our fun backyard gardening. So many questions answered! OK, on to session 2. 😊

[@selecttravelvacations7472]

I can’t believe how much I just learned! It may take awhile to absorb all this but I’m so grateful that I had this to listen to! What a. Wealth of knowledge Jim is!

[@atlantaswelder]

Thank God there are folks like this in the world or else We'd all starve 😅

[@mgrey1602]

Been growing spuds for several years, and I still learned such wonderful details. Jim is a good teacher. Thank you.

[@tamararoberts9307]

This guy knows his stuff on potatoes 🥔 👍 👌

[@newdayfarm9463]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Now that’s some Potato School! Exceptional interview and very informative information. I need to convert this into a document to print for my garden binder. Thanks Travis and Jim for sharing this knowledge.

[@bsk4728]

WOW! Travis, this was perhaps the best gardening interview/video I've ever seen anywhere! What great questions you presented and what a world of information Jim has stored in that brain! Outstanding.

[@chachadodds5860]

I've only been a sub for less than a month, so I just now saw this video. What an education! I began attempting to grow potatoes two years ago. First year, I used a few old seed potatoes, second year I experimented with organic store-bought potatoes that had sprouted, and both years, I got very whimpy results. This year, I decided to start with fresh seed potatoes but the results have yet to be revealed. The plethora of wisdom I learned from the first five minutes of this video not only made a lot of sense, but explained why I haven't been very successful. I'm going to have to listen to this man at least two or three times, just to process everything he's teaching us. And I am DEFINITELY ordering my seed potatoes from this guy, for next year. I just missed the window for fall planting, but you can be sure that next year, I'll be planting spring and fall potato crops. Thank you so much for introducing us, and for doing this interview. The week be so many more of us little guys with successful potato yields with these amazing tips.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Hatfield_Country]

Absolute gold mine of information for being successful at growing potatoes! Thanks for bringing us this interview!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Our pleasure!

[@not1moreinch332]

Jim is a wealth of Potato knowledge. I learned so much. Can't wait for part 2

[@jennyb270]

Great info in the comments too

[@heyphilphil]

the hens egg analogy really helped. aphids being the vector for potato disease was good to know. I've learned from another potato farmer if you are growing in a back yard food forrest polyculture type situation with lots of flowering species ( making some of your brassicas go to flower attract lots predatory wasps and other bugs that eat soft shelled young bugs like baby potato beetles) you don't have to get that scared if you get hit with potato beetles ...because if you just wait a week or so the prey brings in the predators and you'll see see they disappear....I couldn't believe it myself...they were just gone...also they have done studies where if half of the potato plant gets hit with potato beetle damage it actually increases the nutrition of the potatoes and yields....probably the plants fear its getting eaten so it better hurry and produce. Great episode. I got my Hoss and wood prairie farm potato seed order already pre ordered.

[@terrysadler1949]

Thank you for this invaluable information from one of our nation’s expert growers!

[@cathydorner]

Excellent questions.

[@loristrout4741]

Aroostook County. I grew up in the Bangor/ Brewer area.

[@evecampbell7744]

Another thing from me… Travis you are a great host/ speaker. That’s a skill, not an accident! Great job on your side of the mic.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Eve! Jim is really easy to interview because he's so knowledgeable. He deserves more credit than myself.

[@trueholyoak5273]

Well very interesting

[@SylantBill]

Good job Travis very helpful

[@chrisfrench8511]

Travis...Excellent .

[@kennyjohnson6875]

Touchdown GO Dawgs !

[@LazyDogFarm]

GO DAWGS!

[@rodneysnextchapter615]

Great potato show , thank you

[@LazyDogFarm]

Our pleasure!

[@tommathews3964]

This is GREAT content, Trav! Jim is a wealth of information! Seek out more of these type guests! You did well, Grasshopper! 😉

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Tom!

[@andrewlittlefield3425]

Great podcast Travis!

[@robertmaciver130]

wow great show.

[@kittiew260]

Great interview. Thanks, Travis, very helpful.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@markbedard6238]

Excellent video thank you

[@that9blife465]

Thank you sir !

[@jimhammond3607]

Excellent show!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Jim!

[@onecrowingrooster2239]

Learned ALOT. Thankyou thankyou

[@citylotgardening6171]

Great video 👍

[@prestonmcc64]

Thanks for the Master Class!

[@LazyDogFarm]

You bet!

[@sn232]

EXCELLENT video!

[@kennethmarks5772]

Great content

[@smas3256]

WOOD PRAIRIE is in Maine. I'm in Connecticut Valley. Wood Prairie seems to be an awesome place to get organic seed potatoes but I would struggle again this year. Newbe to potato growing. Limited space we have so can't chance it. We had to use buckets to extend our garden for the potatoes we grew last year. Heartbreaking for me. Dirt and compost can be used again. Few potatoes though.

[@garyweaver6026]

In middle TN I harvest about 1 lb of new potatoes from each plant stem. If a seed potato has 1 or 2 eyes I plant them 3" apart. Seed potatoes with 3 to 4 eyes I plant them about 6" apart. Seed potatoes with 5 to 6 eyes plant them 8" apart. Our last frost is April 20 and first frost is Nov 1. Our summer weather is 95° to 100° very dry 1" of rain per month June to Sept. Potatoes are a 3 month crop April 1 to June 30 is good, Aug 1 to Oct 30 is better. I use 15-15-15 fertilizer. Too much nitrogen produces very large plants and not many new potatoes.

[@countrycuss]

thank you

[@LazyDogFarm]

You're welcome

[@82Julian]

Great vid great information Travis 👍💪as always!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Julian!

[@Rabbi393]

Awesome content Travis. Thank you!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

My pleasure!

[@evecampbell7744]

Hey Travis, Todays show was awesome. I so enjoyed the content! Looking forward to part 2. Now, you may have to keep reminding us of some of the great tips! There was a lot! Please express my gratitude to Jim.

[@debbiemarshall3748]

My nephew stops watrring after blossoms and is always in a hurry to harvest at the first sign of die-back. I'll see if he'll watch you experts, so we can improve the yield. Thank you!

[@backwoodscountryboy1600]

Absolutely fascinating conversation, this man is a walking encyclopedia. I can't wait to hear the next video. I'll be looking to purchasing some of his products and I'm also looking at his sweet potatoes.

[@Frank-fs5nv]

Fascinating discussion, especially about "proofing" the seed potatoes at 75° for a week before going back to 50 to 55° to speed up harvest time.

[@Frank-fs5nv]

"Proofing" is my term not Jim's. (I also love to bake bread).

[@LazyDogFarm]

My wife watches the Great British Baking Show and I've heard the term used there.

[@barryganslein986]

I love the science with this interview, this is so helpful.

[@retiredviking2419]

Wow, my knowledge of growing taters just grew exponentially!! My mind is blown by Jim's depth of knowledge and wisdom. Great questions Travis!

[@SouthyrnGynt]

Great channel here. I am learning a lot. Thanks!

[@jeannamaynard5037]

One thing useful, I got from what he said, concerns specifically harvesting a few hills of potatoes at a certain stage after blooming before full maturity in order to get the best seed potatoes for the next crop. Instead of waiting til full maturity and just using the small ones. That might make a big difference in yields.

[@cookingtheharvest]

Taking notes for a blog post summary on this. I've been gardening for 20 + years and the ONE thing I've never been able to really get deep dive info on is growing potatoes. This is WILDLY helpful! Thank you!

[@hacc220able]

Loved the interview exploring the intricacies of the life cycle of potatoes and how man learned to utilize the natural tendencies of this wonderful food source to further maximize it's productivity. Mr Gerritsen sure knows his stuff. Thanks for sharing.

[@dadmezz4024]

Great interview and information.

[@jimmymorgan-z1u]

Awesome interview and informative!! Thks👊

[@D4ni3773]

Wow! Great info! 👍🏼

[@sislertx]

This is my favorite interview of all time...seriosly...from any channel ect north2 which his voice knocks me out to sleep...and i have yet to finish his denisovian or neanderthal one after well iver a year.

[@michaelmorris1802]

Well, not sure how I'm going to chit at 75 in the dark (that part I got)... but then lower the temp to 50-55 with the lights on... it's Florida, wish I could see 50-55 in February. Maybe at daylight for 30 seconds... :)

[@LazyDogFarm]

Yeah I haven't figured out how I am going to do that either, but I'll try to get close.

[@RedRock830]

EXCELLENT part one. Thank you.

[@gailgrice8979]

That was great!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Gail!

[@stevesutter2036]

Great interview. Educational!

[@ladyryan902]

Excellent!! Aphid excluding ? Have to look that up thx Travis interesting info.

[@tamararoberts9307]

I laid seed potatoes on top of soil and covered with 4" of wood chips and they did great here in south-central Indiana last season

[@tailgategardeners7752]

GREAT video! We’re gonna watch this over again and take notes! Really enjoyed the discussion with Jim.

[@rustyglass42]

This info is golden. One of your best, if not the best, show you have done. Next level stuff. Much appreciated.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Rusty!

[@sillyrabbits]

Thanks for the video Travis. I will be planting Caribe and Baltic Rose this season. Great info. Now I have to figure out that green sprouting thingy. 🤞

[@cherylwilson716]

Me too. I am confused on how they get that many potatoes to 75°, and then down to fifty.

[@karenwaterbury9895]

This was GREAT information - loved part 1

[@macEboy]

Fantastic work! Thanks Travis for hooking us up!. This is a great video learning. Lots of details like you said. Time to go back. Make some notes. Thanks much Travis. Appreciate it from your Middleburg boy.

[@davesrvchannel4717]

My question for Jim would be, after you cut up your potatoes into half egg size, is it necessary to let the pieces rest (heal) a few days before planting? I personally have always just cut and planted same day. But curious to know his thoughts Great video Travis! Best gardening channel out there!

[@joannamills4510]

Following

[@aileensmith3062]

@@joannamills4510 Following as well!

[@dustyflats3832]

I’m sure it must be covered in planting instructions, but I always let them dry after a cut to prevent fungus entering the cut. Looking forward to hearing growers answer.

[@LazyDogFarm]

That is a good question that we didn't cover on the interview. But I've always let mine heal as well.

[@heyphilphil]

I'd let it heal and seal over so you don't get rott.

[@sandrasstitches]

Thank you, that was so informative. My summer (Australia) potatoes are dying off as we speak. Now I know to wait until they are fully spent before harvesting 👍🏼🥔 This is my second year of venturing into growing food and so far I’ve been blessed with a good amount of backyard groceries grown on very little knowledge and no experience. I’m pretty sure it was Jess Sowards who said, “Start now right where you are at.” I did and I’m loving it 🪴☀

[@allenferry9632]

I'm going to need to re-watch this in a few weeks to try to understand his sprouting method It didn't sink in the first time around.

[@selecttravelvacations7472]

Whew, I thought I was just too distracted. Will re listen for sure.

[@SH-gd9uq]

Great stuff Travis. Will try warming the taters up then storing them in the cool once sprouted and before planting. Just ordered mine from Wood Prairie and used your code. They are going to be here in Rio Rancho NM 3rd week of Feb. Thank You Sir again great stuff.

[@SH-gd9uq]

I picked out caribe and prairie blush to plant this year. Both are early or mid early varieties.

[@diannevaldez8670]

@SH-gd9uq, what? They were here a year ago? Why? Will they be coming again? I'm in the South Valley.

[@TheHappybaby2008]

Great video, I really appreciate growing videos that explain principles to vegetable crop production. It allows me to get maximum yields in my small garden. Thank you for taking the time to provide the videos.

[@papawsplace]

Very interesting Mr. Travis. Now if I can remember all this, would be nice. 😂

[@Frankie_902]

Amazing amazing wealth of information! In writing out down to use this year. So so grateful for the wise and generous people that share their knowledge with us!❤️

[@danm3584]

FYI, Ruth Stout method uses old hay, not straw.

[@nancytharp8213]

Very interesting. Loved the video. Thanks for sharing 🙏 😎 🏖 🏝

[@debrawade6656]

Thank you Jim and Travis for the excellent information. The temp of the ground was interesting. Down here in the panhandle of FL it can be cool, hot and then cool again for several days so that was very helpful & educational on measuring everyday at same time.

[@HomesteadDIY]

Holy cow! What a great interview! And about potatoes no less. So informative and this is just part one!

[@jeas4980]

Excellent! BUT!! Warning for those looking to use the Ruth Straw method... you need to find organic straw. Know the source of your straw... because I ruined a 30' x 4' bed mulching with a straw sprayed with a broad spectrum weed killer. It's become more and more prevalent. I was an avaid strawbale gardener (It's where you condition the bales with fertilizer and wait for decomposition to start and plant directly into the strawbale). I was very successful and brought in HUGE yields until this spraying became so popular that I can no longer source reliable strawbales. It's taken 4 full years of remediation attempts and now we've decide this year to scrape it all up and use it as fill dirt in some holes our dog dug up. We're seeing this in manure products as well. Cows and horses are eating sprayed hay and it's transfering the poison into their manure. It's inspiring me to get started on a rabbitary (a little earlier than planned) where I have more control over my organic manures. God Bless. 🙏💚

[@rebeccabrowning9829]

So very informative. He did not get too technical - it was fascinating. Thank you both. I'm looking forward to the next video.

[@jerrygeorgopolis8015]

Travis, Outstanding part 1 !! Thank you

[@m250xl]

Best and most informative video on growing potatoes I’ve ever seen! Can’t wait to see the second half of the interview.

[@rickjay4639]

It's definitely one of the most informative videos I've ever seen. Unfortunately ran out of time will watch the rest later. Thank you, Travis

[@TheSHOP411]

Ok, all great information. I love when someone speaks from a position of knowledge. BUT, a lot of people are wanting to be self sufficient these days and not rely on a seed source other than themselves. I have been growing off my own seed stock for several years and unlike you, my yield gets higher every year. Must be lucky to not have potato virus. I certainly understand the position you and your guest take, but I have heard old timers stating growing from your own seed, enhances your plants. I think it was Old Alabama Gardener who even did some experiments with saving seed potatoes. Anyway, it is awesome information, I just think there is a huge movement of people wanting to be more self reliant

[@LazyDogFarm]

I agree that purchasing seed potatoes every year isn't necessarily "sustainable." I guess it depends on whether you're growing more for hobby or actually growing for necessity. If growing for necessity, you can probably deal with some of the production decline as opposed to buying seed potatoes each year. Or only buy new seed stock every 2 years like Jim mentioned.

[@mutantryeff]

Good to hear from the pros.

[@texasgardenerrobert8341]

I absolutely love the video. I learned a lot I didn’t know about growing potatoes. Which isn’t much apparently. But there’s one I do know. The horned frogs are going take care of business come Monday. Gonna turn them dawgs into mashed potatoes. Rah Rah TCU!!! Rah Rah TCU!!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

Can't wait!

[@texasgardenerrobert8341]

@@LazyDogFarm Really, that’s it? No fun. 👎🤮🐸🐸🐸

[@Farmd427]

Much more nuanced than I ever thought! Thank you for putting this information out for us.

[@LazyDogFarm]

You bet!

[@KrazyKajun602]

Great show Travis, keep up the good work. I would like to know how Jim prepares his soil and what he uses to fertilize when he plants his seed

[@Forevertrue]

Wow Great Travis. I thought the key for me as a container gardener was the number of stems!!! I always chose the biggest tuber without a thought. Highly informative. Growth fundamentals and detail seem to be key as in so many crops. Also the 4 inch depth here in 8b, I was an 8 inch guy.

[@victorandrews9790]

Never planted potatoes, but I'm gonna work on that this winter, thanks Travis!

[@LazyDogFarm]

You got this!

[@sabbyjones2308]

Your right I also wish I knew about the discount code before I bought all those potato seeds

[@tommyschrader8096]

What an abundance of information. You know Jim has gone through so much in his carrier Thanks and looking forward to part 2.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I'm sure he's seen some really good tater years and some really tough ones. Lots of good experience.

[@sherryjoiner396]

Great information! Watching from Texas.

[@LazyDogFarm]

Thanks Sherry!

[@maryannepreston4685]

Thanks!!! VERY informative!! Can't wait to watch Part 2

[@conniegant7781]

Thank you Travis for a very informative video, looking forward to part two. God Bless

[@cheryladamson3276]

I have a question on the Ruth Stout method... if she just lays the potatoes on the ground it seems like the roots would have a harder time penetrating the ground under neath... Even though she covers with straw and the ground is kept wet.

[@LazyDogFarm]

I think it works under the assumption that you have some nice, soft, no-till soil underneath the straw. Otherwise you're probably right.

[@aileensmith3062]

Definitely an excellent and informative video. Trouble is I will need to watch it one or two more times to retain all that I learned. Looking forward to part two and furthering my knowledge of "properly" planting and raising potatoes!

[@rickthelian2215]

That was interesting part 1 story from Jim, thanks Travis😊

[@danielcook3771]

Very informative thanks

[@karenzorn773]

Awesome information, thanks Trav for doing this interview, learned alot.

[@dustyflats3832]

I use to plant by ‘old timer’ advice, but things are a changing. Our weather is weird. For years we always planted on Good Friday Z5a. I planted a week later, but will push out to 2 weeks later this year. I’m not one to go around covering everything up because of frost/freezes. I also like to harvest in cool of Fall. Not crazy about August harvests-too early-too hot. The only thing that could be a problem is a wet fall and onions have their own schedule.

[@sharonmorton6734]

Exactly what I need planning this year! Thanks a million!!

[@LazyDogFarm]

You are so welcome!