TWO Secret Ingredients For HUGE Potato Yields

[@wi54725]

We had a bag of organic Yukon Gold potatoes in our pantry that fell behind our pantry rack. When we fished it out, every potato had sprouted multiple times. With no place to plant them, we tried putting them in large black contractor's trash bags. We planted them in about 3 inches of compost, and as they grew, we added leaf mold, and a human-grade mineral supplement. From the 14 potatoes planted, we harvested over 70 potatoes, most over 2 pounds. They were extremely sweet, almost like candy.

[@cherylanon5791]

i never buy seed potatoes, over 15 years now, just buy organic potatoes, pre-sprout and plant! They are awesome, and so much less costly than the seed potatoes. Have had 97% success, only minor issues with a potato here or there with some type of disease (or maybe it was a mole that bit it, and then it rotted). Will never buy seed potatoes again!

[@jesusflores7323]

yeah MI gardener is wrong on this one. they definitely produce more potatoes if you hill them or fill up your grow bags as they grow.

[@stephenoconnor5691]

Good show🥔

[@johnw8510]

@@jesusflores7323 I’m still learning. I prepared a raised bed & I’m going to try planting some potatoes this year. Probably a little late getting them in. I was told by 2 older potato farmers years ago to plant the potatoes & add soil as they grow & they’ll produce along the stem. I think the planting method depends on whether your planting determinate or indeterminate potatoes. Determinate varieties produce level & indeterminate produce along the stem. I could be wrong but that’s what I’m reading online.

[@lindykaz8921]

I don't understand why there are comments on Jonathan Kleck's video here? I didn't hear anything pertaining about potatoes on his video above. Maybe I missed something about the potatoes.

[@darkangelsoaps8258]

I just wanted to say thank you so much for being an honest seller. I ordered from two other places and they took my money and never sent my orders and when i contacted them they never responded. Ive watched your videos for years and felt i could trust you so i checked out your site. I was pleasantly surprised to find your seeds only costing two bucks and i received my order very quickly. You guys are great and im only ordering from you in the future. Just wanted to say thanks for being an honest company. Update: Its now August 2nd and my seeds all performed great!

[@mkjohnson7826]

If you paid by a credit card (not a debit card) you should be able to contact your card co and ask them to reverse the charges. There might be a time limit though.

[@darkangelsoaps8258]

@@mkjohnson7826 I used debit like a goof. It wasn't much but migardener was fantastic to work with. Very honest.

[@jswhosoever4533]

I got broccoli from my "Brussels sprouts" seeds last year and I got cherry tomatoes from my "Sheboygan tomato" seeds this year... Plus, the packets are all $2 but some have very few seeds in them. I'll still buy from MIGardener but just know sometimes the mix seeds up and sometimes you may need to buy multiple packs so pay attention to the seed count when ordering.

[@Sue-ec6un]

Here is how I grow potatoes. I put the seed potatoes in a little bit of compost and then I cover them with the leaves and debris that I rake out of my tiny "forest" edge. That's it, and as the plants grow, I add leaf "compost" and debris (small sticks, twigs, whatever my rake catches) on top of the plants every time they poke a few inches up. That's it, that is all I do. My potato harvest easily doubles in size every year and I never plant them twice in the same space, be it in the ground or in a container. Where I planted them in the ground last year does look "spent" and I am not planting anything in that space this year. Not even the grass is growing there yet. But I love to plant them in containers. I admit, I also let that compost rest for the following year. It just gets "spent" on potatoes. But I am a lazy gardener. If it doesn't grow by God's good grace, I move on to the next thing. I also save these unfussy seeds. :)

[@pajcka]

You can add fertilizer in the fall to the soil where you grew potatoes. Then all again in the spring.

[@waynegretzky8464]

I like your style. Very similar do I grow.

[@WS-by5cl]

I am trying this method this year, after having it recommended to me by a coworker. I am starting it today, actually! Glad to hear it works for you. 😊

[@leelaural]

how deep is the bed that you put your potatoes on?.....

[@Nesoartwork]

That's how I do it too, after the potatoes are harvested I add aged manure to it and plant into it next spring. And cover it again with the same stuff. I always seem to have a good crop every year.

[@LeslieKaster-j5h]

Tip for those who suffer from wire worms! Plant dwarf marigolds everywhere among your potatoes! Last year worked like a charm for me, after years of wire worms destroying my crop. I always have interspersed marigolds among most of my veggie crops, but last year was the first i did with potatoes. And thank god i did!

[@trishcraig723]

Interesting. But once the potato plants get tall and full, won't it crowd out and block sun to the flowers?

[@LeslieKaster-j5h]

@@trishcraig723 depends on how apart you plant them, but the marigolds get big and flower out long before the potatoes are big enough to shade them. After a while they do, but the marigolds thrived anyway. Provided partial ahade.

[@Jane-West]

Good to know! Thank you!

[@dougbas3980]

We are Michigan homesteaders in Clarkston, MI on 10 acres. Getting tougher in our 70s😉. We previously lived on 3.5 acres in Algonac, MI on Mill St. We just grow some of what we eat and also buy from local farmers. Your guidance in these KZbin videos is greatly appreciated👍 When food gets scarce, the farmer friends we do business with will help us get thru and that is great to have.

[@RayMirshahi]

In Ontario, some growers recommend planting potatoes after the Strawberry Full Moon (mid June) to make sure the soil has sufficiently warmed up and the life cycle of the potato beetle has passed. In cold wet climates, potatoes may rot if planted too early in the ground and it may enhance the life cycle of the potato beetle in your soil. Your raised bed helps with the drainage and also helps the soil warm up sooner. The same is true for grow pots and bags. Thanks for the video.

[@777magdalene]

As a fellow Ontarian, thank you for this info. This year will be my first time planting potatoes.

[@RayMirshahi]

@@777magdalene Good luck growing. I hope you have a great harvest.

[@JohnThomas-nf1lv]

good video impressed!!

[@JohnThomas-nf1lv]

good ideas, explained well

[@lynnieb]

My father always planted his green beans on July 4th weekend. He told me that the insects that attack them are gone by then and it doubled or tripled his harvests.

[@clem24u]

I go to the supermarket and buy the 2 organic varieties that work in my area. I let them eye up and I put them in the ground and water and fertilize. Works for me!

[@porschamarie1446]

Me too!!!

[@kathynix6552]

I reckon that’s the way to go for us who only want a couple of potato bushes growing. We wouldn’t be able to use a whole bag of seed potatoes.

[@Jane-West]

I love that people share their experiences on here! You never know when you're teaching or encouraging someone else!

[@icryostorm3727]

Minor correction you are single digging not double digging.. double digging swaps soil from 2 spade depths down to ontop of the first spadefulls topsoil.

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Yes, I agree. Double digging goes down 2 spade depths.

[@geraldhowse8597]

​@@doloresreynolds8145I believe he's using an extra long spade.

[@gregdoh]

I've been gardening for 13 years now and this is the first year I'll be adding potatoes to the mix. Thanks for the great how-to! You're quickly becoming one of my favorite garden youtubers.

[@JohnThomas-nf1lv]

I promise you once you eat your own you'll never nor plant them! They are thatgood!!

[@carmeneddy2638]

I hope MIG adds potatoes to the inventory next year, so I can get all my needs at one location. Thanks Luke!! Great Video as always.

[@candacewilliams6869]

He has potatoes now.

[@JohnThomas-nf1lv]

try Baker Creek heirloom seeds in Mansfield, Missouri you'll be very glad you did fantastic selections!!

[@lexyshade4868]

Just planted my potatoes yesterday, but I've done most of what you've said so I hope for a huge yield this year!

[@did_I_hurt_you_feefees]

Planting my taters today or tomorrow. I'm doing them in buckets but I'm still using a lot of this great advice. I didn't even know about the sulfur or the alfalfa pellets.

[@ronalddavis5905]

Here's what works for me the last 3 years, when I see my first blossom forming I use one cup of potassium per 10 feet of potatoes ( 0-0-60) and try and work it in then water in, it gives me 0ne third bigger potatoes it seems. Great video Luke.

[@JohnThomas-nf1lv]

yup right in the hole with some mychorrizae does the trick also a little bio char as well great formula for sucess

[@JohnThomas-nf1lv]

Gaia green fertilizers great organic fertilizer on any kind of plant, dynamite stuff!!😅

[@floweraddict4173]

I’m sorry correct you but potatoes like tomatoes do have determinate AND indeterminate varieties like your russets and butterballs. Usually they refer to potatoes as short mid and long season varieties but like tomatoes their growth patterns are similar. Short or determinate varieties grow and developed spuds on a single plain or layer -grow flower mature and die where indeterminate or long season varieties continue to grow set out new roots and more spuds as long as there is more soil on top and a longer growing season like 120 -140 days so hilling does help produce more spuds as well as protect from sun. I grow in large bags and for short season varieties like Yukon golds I grow them in 2 layers 3 spuds each and with my long season varieties I just grow 2 in the bottom and continue hilling to the top and have started adding a 8” bag extension to increase yield and it works! Love your advice and have learned a lot . Hope mine helps thanks

[@Pp7450-n5u]

I’m really surprised that Luke hasn’t gone over this!

[@thedeadgypsy]

Sorry, potato breeder here, that is not correct. Indeterminate potatoes are only different above the soil. They are not like tomatoes and don't continue to make new stolons with tubers.

[@cbass2755]

My Pontiac Reds did quiet well in my 5 gallon buckets last year! I dumped out those buckets last year and laughed my head off in delight! I’ve never grew potato’s before. I did plant my potatoes a week ago, so I sure hope they’ll be Ok. I’m growing in 20 gallon grow bags along with my 5 gallon buckets. I’m so excited. But I’m hoping their going to be ok….their by the side of garage where it does stay warmer due to the wood. Fingers crossed….

[@UToobSteak]

I got a bag of Pontiac seed potatoes this year. I'm excited to see how they do

[@jjc2323]

I just watched you video from 3 years ago. Love to see a 2023 update!

[@cyantwo936]

The secret ingredients are dirt and potatoes

[@jimboalogo]

Mmmm dirt and potatoes!

[@skinnyWHITEgoyim]

Soil and taters

[@youtubesucks-yx6kk]

Pretty much. You can really set it and forget it

[@suzannefritts813]

Alfalfa and sulpher

[@kalebli5502]

Does this work with sweet potatoes?

[@rebeccawatson9284]

Nice instruction! I like this style of video with the highlights like a PowerPoint. Great editing! Thanks!

[@dianneroberts3661]

Good information for new comers. I already hit those Isles. Jeremiah Babe gave you another shout-out yesterday. It's great to see people supporting each other in these times. I don't follow alot of different channels, but I am continuously having my subscription canceled. More funny business. I have my notifications set so when scanning, I can tell when something is going on. Thank you Patera for all that you do.

[@jasofalltrades6052]

This is Luke's channel not Patera's. Love them both though.

[@valariehorsman503]

Thank you so much! I’m a beginner gardener and I appreciate your tips!

[@denisefreese6166]

So when do you top dress? And with what?

[@CardiacCat]

Long video to find the 2 ingredients. At about 10:40 you find the two, Alfalfa pellets for slow release nitrogen and sulfer for acidity.

[@BonnieStevens-p1w]

Tusm

[@camicri4263]

Right on Luke! Thanks for the pointers and the website, I ordered seed potatoes before and they were small and not looking good and got nothing out of them. Have a blessed week 🤗💕

[@ashleygilliland819]

Here in south Florida sweet potatoes grow best in our garden. Those do grow roots on the vines. We always cover the vines with more dirt to in courage higher yields. Thank you for the tips. I did not know about the other varieties, and the true purpose of hilling

[@thegreatriffs2552]

So...I was very interested in this way of growing potatoes and, last April, I tried it with Maris Pipers. I dug the trenches and put alphalpha and sulphur into the bottom of each trench. I planted the potatos about 6 inches apart. Last week (end of August), I harvested the first bed and, sadly, it was a huge disappointment. First of all, at least half of the potatoes were small; about the size of a typical new potato. Secondly, the yield was tiny: between two and three potatoes per plant. What was interesting was that the foliage grew very much higher than usual. My hypothesis is that the alphalpha and sulpher benefitted the foliage at the expense of the crop.

[@dadmezz4024]

Nice job Luke! Just the info I need to try my first small potato crop. Thank you.

[@Sue-ec6un]

Don't overfuss about potatoes, remember they grow if you leave them too long in a cupboard....I don't even eat potatoes very often but I grow them because they are so easy and, frankly, fun to grow!

[@AugustLeo1619]

Purple Majesty is my favorite potato to grow. I'm trying a new variety for me this year called "French fingerling". This year I'm growing Pontiac Red, Yukon Gold, purple majesty, and French fingerling and a Burbank Russet. Potato 🥔

[@cheesekake1841]

Cool. This year I'm growing the same first 3 potatoes. 😄 Happy gardening! 🤞

[@tracycrider7778]

Trying pm this year myself ❤

[@cherylanon5791]

instead of guessing when to plant potatoes, get a soil thermometer. Ideal SOIL temp for planting potatoes is about 45-50 degrees. Too much outside that range and it affects root development, sucrose in the tubers, etc. I've actually had great crops planting in April (zone 3b/4a) during a Spring thaw, which was followed in 4 weeks by hard freeze. The potatoes were fine due to about 8-12 inches of shredded leaf mulch mixed with some compost. A few which had sprouted above the mulch were not happy---but the roots survived, and I had a huge harvest.

[@WorldsWorstGardener]

Something that I've learned recently about potatoes is that the tubers basically stop growing at about 80-85 degrees F. That may be part of my problem (I've been a "all tops, no potatoes" gardener when it comes to potatoes.) I'm going to be trying some shade cloth since our avg temps (zone 7a - I know that has nothing to do with climate! Just to give an idea of where I am) easily get into the 90's during the summer months. There's a reason that Idaho (and Maine, and colder climates such as yours) are known for potatoes!

[@E.E.Wilson]

Famous Potatos til this year, they let the pest and rot fields lay fallow, no watering, the monoculture backfired and not one purple viking survived the scourge. Many hot days, a list of pestulance and infectious diseases, gardening for oneself is now the biggest priority.

[@DrShout]

I’m in Florida and grow the RUSSET NORKOTAH potato. I was told the most important prep for the soil is to add phosphorus, which you don’t even mention. Also the container method is easier to harvest since no potatoes will be damaged on removal. This is the first season I’m using bought seed potatoes, my last season I used store bought that just went to seed and came up totally empty handed 😢

[@Markephillips77]

Have you considered removing some of the older growing guides on your channel that have different information? I find myself so often following steps that you gave a few years ago and then suddenly a new video comes out that’s different and I get nervous that it’s not gonna work! I understand that as gardeners we’re always learning and I really appreciate this channel because of the amazing info. But I want to be sure I’m following the best info since I’m so new at gardening.

[@ingevankeirsbilck9601]

Different methods work best in different circumstances. It's a matter of experimenting, for all of us. Just try something and see if it works where you live. I started growing food in 2020, I can only tell you you will make lots of mistakes, sometimes you'll know what you did wrong, and sometimes you won't. You will learn a lot and have lots of fun!

[@MIgardener]

Well here is the thing, it does "work". but we are always striving for bigger and better. As I find better ways to do things, I don't just delete old videos or I would have like 10 videos on the channel. It shows you what I have used, the results I got, and I give some alternative methods in this episode.

[@Markephillips77]

@@MIgardener thanks! That makes sense. I planted my potatoes a week ago and put down Trifecta and some powdered sulfur in the trench like I’d seen you do before and then I saw this and got spooked.

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

@@ingevankeirsbilck9601Best comment I've read in years, and spot on. Even the best of gardeners have failures, but they learn from them. There are far too many things that can go wrong, and one tiny mistake can make a huge difference in results. Biggest hurdle to overcome is misinformation, and not necessarily intended. Maybe your favorite source/publisher lives in California and you live in Michigan. Growing season as well as daylight length is different. Do your own research, research generated locally (State college's) neighbors, and keep a complete journal. But, as you said, most of all have fun.

[@notyourblonde]

perhaps start from newest and go backwards? most posts have dates

[@faithbuller4086]

Luke, I sure enjoy your videos. Keep them coming. Thanks!

[@VeonySyndrome]

Gonna plant some potatoes today! And im using seeds i got from you 3 years ago and they are still germinating nicely! Thanks for being so wonderful

[@lrg613]

Last year was my first time growing potatoes and it didn’t go great. Thank you for the added info!!

[@alyssax94]

Hi there! Just subscribed to you ◡̈ i am a beginner (balcony) gardener here and love your tips! Potatoes intimidate me for some reason so thank you for the video 🤗

[@juliehorney995]

I used to feel this way too. I first planted potatoes in grow bags. Could work for you with maybe a plant saucer underneath to protect your balcony. Happy gardening!

[@alyssax94]

@@juliehorney995 Thank you :)

[@Sue-ec6un]

Potatoes are the easiest thing I have grown. I'm sure you will be amazed at your results. Don't overthink it, remember that potatoes will grow in your cupboard given enough time. If you think of gardening as an experiment, your inevitable "failures" are nothing but a lesson to be learned for your next "experiment". Keeping that in mind has helped me not take bad results so personally. :)

[@alyssax94]

@@Sue-ec6un that is a nice way to think of it! Thank you ◡̈

[@almostoily7541]

If you are still growing in containers you should check out Robbie and Gary gardening easy. They show different sizes of containers and how to compost in place in each container.

[@billsnyder6945]

I suggest you should at least mention the Ruth Strout method, in fact you should probably research and try it side by side as have others to find it is much simpler and works great. I question the immediacy of using sulfur like that but do not know exactly, hopefully the worst thing would be it takes longer, and does no harm short term. Also, a broad fork would be a better solution in a no till situation where loosening compaction is required.

[@Beaguins]

I'm not sure I believe all this advice, but it's something to think about. I'm certain that determinate vs. indeterminate still matters when deciding the time to harvest. "Days to Maturity" means nothing if your soil differs from the average. It's better to look at flowering (for determinates) or wilting (for indeterminates).

[@chocalatekid8024]

Right! I take everything I hear from KZbin "experts with a couple grains of salt!

[@cindyling4199]

When do you top dress with fertilizer and what do you use?

[@cindieryan446]

I love how cheery he is!!

[@marlenekozlowski4518]

When do you do the top dressing you mentioned & what do you use? Thanks

[@desire4liberation]

i was hoping to find out as well

[@TheJoyfulMom]

Great tips! This is my first year growing potatoes!

[@patriciagraham4786]

Thank you for sharing this. I've read, and watched KZbin videos, about two types of potatoes. Determinate and indeterminate, similar to tomatoes. Whereas the indeterminate potatoes are to be added more soil (hilled) as they grow. But, determinate do not need to be hilled. Can you elaborate on this? Thank you for all your informative videos.

[@twobeards6714]

Hi all, I'm in Michigan just north of the 45 th parallel. I planted on may tenth, it's July 28 th. I've been digging spuds for two weeks. I planted Norland, Kenebec. Round Whites and a few Yukon golds. Thanks for keeping it real and for the heads up about Farmish

[@alivewithhemp4989]

Thank you Luke! You always inspire me to do more in my garden!🎉 This video seemed blurry to me.😢

[@lisascott9670]

Thank you Luke! You are a confidence builder.

[@PrettyAliceNight]

If we have to grow in grow bags how many inches of soil should be under the potatoes vs on top of them? Thanks!

[@lucretiawrolstad3997]

Great info. Amendments make perfect sense, tho I'd never thought about those two, specifically.

[@aawdaniel]

Hey Luke… How about in conjunction with core gardening? I have the middle of my beds all with straw as you showed. Are there some crops you just don't do that with such as potatoes? also, do you add a core every year or is a core good for a few years?

[@homesteadgmad8223]

Great question!! 🤩

[@charlenequinilty7252]

Just harvested my first potatoes. Planted in February here in Louisiana. Will take you advice into account next time to see if it improves. Thanks

[@cheesekake1841]

Wow.. You already got a harvest?! What variety of potatoes did you grow?

[@charlenequinilty7252]

@@cheesekake1841 I think its red lasoda or Pontiac red

[@cheesekake1841]

@@charlenequinilty7252 So cool. I'm also growing Pontiac Red. Also growing Purple Majesty, Yukon Gold, and Red Norland. I'm in zone 7a, don't think I can grow potatoes in Feb, wish I could though, however, I started mid March so still have a few months to go... Glad you got your harvest, I can't wait to see mine.. lol .. Happy Gardening! 😄

[@CookingLessonsforDad]

I do not want to spend money on fertilizer to grow my potatoes. I would rather have a smaller harvest than pay money for fertilizer. My goal is to save money by growing my own food. Potatoes are very cheap to buy in my area.

[@donaldduck830]

I use wood ash from the house and water heating system. You can also use other stuff as fertilizer, best of all your own compost. I only buy Calciumcarbonate to increase my very low ph.

[@CookingLessonsforDad]

@@donaldduck830 Thanks for the tip! We do get some wood ash.

[@lpmoron6258]

Not meaning to contradict you, because if that's what you consider double digging then ok. But, I was taught double digging is removing the to shovel depth and only loosening one depth below that. Then returning the top shovel depth.

[@GGsGarden]

Have left over soil acidifier from blueberries (think it is sulfur based); would it work as substitute for the granulated sulfur?

[@tjduprey]

Omg. Alfalfa pellet makers really are marketing hard to gardeners. It's a high protein grass. That costs a lot. Put your lawn clippings in there instead.

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

The pellets are super cheap at my tractor supply, don't know where everyone else is getting them. And my bag will last me several years in my garden. I don't have grass clippings until well into June so I wouldn't have any to lay in a trench at planting anyway.

[@MIgardener]

It is cheap and fermented which is amazing because it kills weed seeds. If you take grass clippings, a lot of them will root and you will be weeding for months.

[@chompers11]

Yea ive seen it all over so funny

[@dorifraser8951]

I put my grass clippings in there and I’ve been pulling grass for weeks. No one talks about that!

[@charlesroberts3910]

Get a broad fork

[@fannybuster]

I would also recommend adding Bone Meal to the soil ,I always get great yields by doing so

[@doloresreynolds8145]

I live in SW Michigan and grew potatoes for the past 2 years. I planted both reds and russets; both grew well, but apparently the gophers or moles can see the light colored russets better than the reds, because I found many nice sized red potatoes, but only holes and tiny potatoes under the russet leaves.

[@rjohnson610]

I have to order my sulfur in. My local fleet doesn't carry it. Can i top dress with the sulfur and it still be beneficial?

[@rachaelbugaiski96]

This year I haven't planted any potatoes yet.. Thus week in the thumb we have a night that'll be 27°. Do you suggest to hold off until warmer at night for that, as they say it means it'll be 22° at least in the soil. Thanks!

[@Bigfoottehchipmunk]

Thank you for this thourough tutorial. I am growing in baskets this year, but only because I don't have a lot of space.

[@rwally3able]

Thankyou!!!!!!!!

[@emdeejay7432]

I have a bunch of potatoes to plant later today like 27 pieces total. I cut them the other day and let them callous over. Ive also got 8 sweet potatoes going, so im hopefully going to have a good crop of tubers this year! This was one of my favorite videos of yours, also I love the seed potatoes you have, the packaging is real professional. I'll definitely have to check that site out, I just ordered mine ok etsy, which they looked great and have good reviews so im not worried about it, but I like the look of yours. Plus id love to try growing some Kennebecs and get some some big ol' giant baby sized potatoes haha. Serve up some monster baked taters for thanksgiving next year, I dont have time this year unfortunately.

[@nickmoran5149]

Alfalfa also contains triacontanol, a powerful plant growth regulator that boosts yields in many plants! Thank for the video Luke

[@gregzeigler3850]

Yeah, I've used Alfalfa pellets around my tomatoes and peppers. They love it as it breaks down.

[@livefreeordie3992]

Potato towers work , hay and good soil layered in a three foot tall by three wide wire potato bin saves space and produces good yields. My bin was from a recycled carrier heat pump enclosure, strong if you wire tie the the circle together you just cut the ties, peel open the bin and harvest easily.

[@amandawilson8935]

Excellent!! I just harvested my potatoes, it's getting really cold up in the upper mitten of MI. And we got a good harvest, but i some of the blue potatoes have Scabs. Maybe the blues are more prone to it? My whites and my pinks don't have it. The skin on some of the blue ones is really rough and bumpy. So for next years, I'm going to use the Sulphur and the Alfalfa. It's too bad that it's only November!!! How will I live until next spring! Thank you so much for the help!

[@Forevertrue]

I like it when they give you the facts. No gloss or hype.

[@skinnyWHITEgoyim]

I planted my taters on top of the soil this year. I'm just covering them with leaves and grass clippings as they grow. I put down bone meal and pelleted chicken manure when planting. The soil had been mulched since last fall with leaves and has had a lot of organic matter added in different ways. I'm curious to see how they do this way.

[@nickthegardener.1120]

They will do awesome!👍🏻

[@Sue-ec6un]

That's how I grow them. It started as an experiment and was so successful that now I plant LOTS of potatoes even though I don't eat them very often! :) My advice would only be don't put too much grass on top, it stays way to wet for way too long.

[@skinnyWHITEgoyim]

@@Sue-ec6un I use mostly leaves. I just put grass on top to keep the leaves from blowing away

[@babsee2350]

I'm doing this this year as well, but I'm covering with straw. First time I've ever tried it. I actually do like digging up potatoes at the end of the year, but I'm running out of prepared garden area and don't have time to "properly" prepare more for my potatoes. I've mowed down some pasture space for the potatoes. I'm so glad this is even an option!

[@MK-ti2oo]

This works great and we find the taters actually taste better. I don't really use grass because it tends to mat up and rot my taters but dry leaves and straw are great. The straw tends to break down nicely with tons of worm activity so you still get to do the satisfying potato dig and the material is light and loose so they can grow without double digging effort for compacted soil.

[@busymamashomestead]

I just found 3 baby bunnies in my potatoes. What do I do? My potatoes are about 2 1/2 feet already lol

[@Nirian_vigora]

Leave them be

[@busymamashomestead]

@Nirian Vigora I did, they are so tiny

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

Leave them. Their mom comes to them multiple times a day to feed them. They will be gone in a month or less.

[@markleininger95]

Put a fence around them and in a few months you'll have some wonderful rabbit stew.

[@lionheartfarmandgardening]

How cute! I'd say leave them be. Mother rabbits hide their babies by only occasionally visiting them, so it's normal to not see the mom as they are very vigilant to be sure nothing is watching when they return. Leave them be, don't touch them or the nest, they will grow quickly and be gone in a month or so. :)

[@ceMwah]

Double digging? It certainly looked like he was only digging down 1 shovelful deep whereas double digging is digging down 2 shovelfuls deep.

[@faithevrlasting]

OK, so Luke, isnt double digging DOUBLE DIGGING? You dig a layer, move the soil, dig again, replace the deep dirt w the top layer you took out, topping that with ths deeper soil, amended? Am I, at age 70, working too hard?

[@donnayoung5942]

Great video! I LOVE being able to go to one place and get ALL the info. Thank you Luke!

[@tammybaluta9520]

Is fertilizing in containers different from in raised beds? I thought you said to put fertilizer where the potato will be placed but this video said to top dress it later. And when is later? Thanks so much for sharing all your knowledge!

[@Pp7450-n5u]

And top dress with what!!!

[@swahilijs]

I guess I should have watched your video before I planted my potatoes a week ago. Looks like I didn’t do it the right way, but I still get potatoes. Next year I’ll try what you’re recommending . Thanks.

[@MattRat01]

I watched an older video you made where you simply put 1/4 cup of trifecta over each seed potato. That’s what I did this year as well, my first year trying to grow potatoes. Fingers crossed and hoping it works.

[@MIgardener]

Well it won't be bad. I have just learned slightly better ways to do things over the years. It's certainly not wrong by any means.

[@HoosierDaddy611]

@@nancyspruiell347 I used his grow back method last year and the harvest was amazing… Doing the same thing is year only growing three times as many bags.

[@KB-2222]

@@nancyspruiell347 rabbits urine is actually a pesticide

[@littleprepper887]

​@@MIgardener I too used Trifecta, and watered in with Sassy Lassy. Mine are in recycling bins (no longer usable) Peat, cow manure, Raised Bed soil, and Perlite, is this ok? I'm a newbie but watch and learn from you and your products. Thank you for all your knowledge 😊

[@nancyspruiell347]

@HoosierDaddy611 Thank you! Next year I'll switch to alfalfa I guess..or plant some of both and see what happens;).

[@xavierpaul852]

I love the editing in these recent videos

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

What a great video! There is so much false information out there, it’s nice to see someone giving great honest advice!!!

[@Karen-up8xo]

Is it better to top water with spinkler hose or watering can, or is a drip irrigation watering system best? ❤❤❤ you channel & your honesty about your best gardening practices.

[@brianbarker2670]

Good video, picked up a few good tips. Would like to hear your views on specialty potatoes like banana potatoes. Are they grown any differently than regular ones?

[@mikelucas3746]

Tony O'Neill at Simplify Gardening has long championed the 30 litre bucket method. I have had some success in following him with second earlies and avoided both eel worms and black heart(caused by drought) here in the UK. I have though, not completely abandoned planting in the ground for late potatoes.

[@dantheman9135]

ThankQ

[@dinobernardi170]

As always Luke👍👍 Thank you

[@doraw7766]

I will top dress with a few sulfur pellets i have already planted in FL and this can help the acidity levels. Great advice.

[@TheMississauga333]

i noticed you said dont put fertilizer in the who, are there an y plant that you can add fertilizer to the hole?

[@StubbsMillingCo.]

Shout out to Luke for tellin us about Farmish a few weeks ago!! It’s easy to post listings or check listings to see what is being sold near you.

[@Chief_Reux]

Such a wealth of great info, thanks again Luke!

[@maria_w311]

Thank you, Luke. Local is where it's at. 💚

[@mkinder9557]

Do you rotate the beds you use for potatoes even though you use pure compost?

[@MIgardener]

No crop rotation needed. It will be fine as long d you re-amend with soil.

[@Beaguins]

If your potatoes end up diseased, rotation will be a good idea. Potatoes are susceptible to many diseases, so I don't take any risk and use different soil every year.

[@herolex782]

How much water is "well watered"? (I just planted my first potato garden. Still learning how to do this.)

[@cataylor4109]

Wow! I’ve learned so much from your videos! Thank you!

[@hopslopscanada]

Is the secret ingredient not owning the husky? Because that would have really helped in my garden

[@arvellataratuta2150]

This is our first year growing potatoes. They are in a raised bed. We have beautiful green foliage, very healthy looking. We had only a few blossoms. Will we be getting potatoes on plants that did not blossom?

[@debbiew6780]

QUESTION : I’m a new gardener and last year I watched your planting potatoes video and you suggested trenching, using Trifecta and hilling wasn’t suggested. Now this year you used alfalfa, etc. No trifecta in the trench at all. Hummmm. Makes me wonder why, especially since I’m trying to learn and you switch methods, why???

[@victorsolis5511]

Its always fun to experiment with different methods. I change it up sometimes too. You don't have to. If what you're doing now works, stick to it. Just have fun basically.

[@Mrs_Homemaker]

There are as many ways of growing a garden as there are gardeners. Don't worry about it. It's his job to experiment and try new methods and continue to improve year over year.

[@Beaguins]

His theory this time is to make the root system expand in search of nutrients. It sounds like a good theory to me and I think it's worth trying. No video is going to be the last word on gardening, but it can give us ideas to try.

[@smithpianoservicing3421]

Thanks for doing all the hard work for us!

[@doraw7766]

Thank you. Planting now in FL.

[@homesteadgmad8223]

In one of your vids you said you found NOT cutting the potatoes up worked well for higher yields... WHICH is better?

[@seanrich1367]

I am in Zone 5b However, (May 02) Snowing out here, soil too cold yet for potatoes they just rot in ground, (ask me how I know.) That was a very informative and helpful post, I Thank You. It's cloudy here a lot of the time so everything takes its time warming up.

[@homesteadgmad8223]

Wow!! Snowing STILL?!! 🤯 Whereabouts do you live?

[@seanrich1367]

@@homesteadgmad8223 Just below Lake Erie in Ohio. Snow was just passing.

[@TheDuckofDoom.]

1.) Solanine does not have arsenic, unless you're positing that potatoes are actually nuclear reactors synthesizing their own atomic elements. (btw the solanine formula is C45H73NO15 . No 'As' in there, not even a 'P' that could be substituted with As. It's like a 10 second web search) 2.)That is just turning the soil not double digging. Double digging is a method for establishing a new bed in certain troublesome soil profiles. Double digging goes a full two shovels deep(thus the name) and reverses the upper and lower layer so the subsoil ends on top. 3.)Hilling also kills weeds and make digging easier. Your trenches are a bit deep, unless you love extra work at harvest, better to use wide shallow trenches so that after lightly hilling a few times, the space between the rows is almost down the orignal planting depth. This also keeps the soil as loose as practical, and most of the potatoes will be in the hilled part making digging them easier. At least for me I need to make the hills over with at least 3 hoeings, the first just filles the trench, the second makes a fair hill, and the last(after potatoes are forming) protects potatoes from sun. Yes I get pototoes forming at the surface even after the second hilling/hoeing, with loamy sand.

[@GARDENSTATEGARDENER]

great info love this luke

[@VickiNewell-z8b]

In another video on MIGardener you showed how to use planting bags for potatoes. In that video you used the pelleted sulfur and also Trifecta fertilizer. You didn't mention the alfalfa sprouts. Could you comment on that. In this video you said you would add the fertilizer later, but I don't recall you saying when.

[@richardbellsr2345]

Purple majesty is my favorite, best flavor in any potatoes I have grown. Red is my second, Yukon Gold is my third.

[@dependentongod4ever]

So, did you change how to plant your potatoes from your previous years' video? I planted them your old way, so, I'm just gonna let it go this year, BUT, if you see better results with this method, then I'll adapt this one for next year :)

[@MIgardener]

We adapted slightly. We are just always on a mission for bigger and better. We will definitely keep adapting, and you should do the same in your garden. Nothing is ever finished and we are always learning better ways to do things to get better results organically. The old videos are still reliable and will give you great results.

[@blackrock5749]

Great video. Thanks Luke.

[@shamshuddinvirani4541]

I’m very new to this: what are some easy veggies to start so it grows easily.. thanks

[@Beaguins]

I think beans are the ultimate in easy. Wait until there's no risk of frost, then stick the beans in the ground. That's it. Other easy crops for me are Swiss chard (also called silverbeet), peppers (also called capsicums), and tomatoes. Peppers and tomatoes need warm soil, and peppers can take a long time to germinate. Some sprawling varieties of tomatoes will need support. Other than that, they're very easy. I have a difficult gardening situation: small space, pure sand, and lots of pests. For me beans, Swiss chard, peppers, and tomatoes are the only sure things every year.