Going the Other way with potatoes. bigger spacing for bigger production

[plainleaf]

Hi all  I have been reading with interest the many potato threads.
But after get several pages from an old book from a friend last October.

I have planted 4 potato plants already under protection for last month.
The plants are planted in 4 pits that were 4 foot deep when I started.
each seed potato was about 1.5 lbs and where planted undivided. If all goes as planned I should get  at least 150 lbs of potatoes per plant.

 

[Cuke]

4 foot deep? Wow... Never seen a spud planted that deep before... I imagine someone with more experience will be along in a min to help but I'd be worried that was perhaps too deep....

[gardentg44]

never heard of that before

iwould like to see the end result.

[saddad]

For once I'm not going to welcome a newbie... Plainleaf's style and "optimism" remind me of a previous poster too much... watch this space 

[tomatoada]

Was it 4".

[Froglegs]

For once I'm not going to welcome a newbie... Plainleaf's style and "optimism" remind me of a previous poster too much... watch this space 

[Baccy Man]

...But after get several pages from an old book from a friend last October.

I have planted 4 potato plants already....The plants are planted in 4 pits that were 4 foot deep ....each seed potato was about 1.5 lbs ......I should get  at least 150 lbs of potatoes per plant.

I'm intrigued as to who the great gardener advocating this growing method is. I am also wondering where 1.5lb seed potatoes can be purchased.

[Froglegs]

150lb per plant

[lolabelle]

thats a lot of french fries!!

[rosebud]

 Well spotted Saddad.

[tonybloke]

there are some great gardeners out there, aren't there??

[petengade]

A good few years ago  a man named Cook (sp) from the Emsworth area grew112lbs of potatoes from four potatoes and held the local record, have tried Googling it but have found nothing, I tried it last year and got 8lb only.

[rosebud]

  TONYBLOKE.

[Bjerreby]

No, hang on a minute you lot, poking fun at him! Today is March 26th, and new moon. The next two weeks are leaf weeks, followed by two weeks of celestial circumstances beneficial to roots.  Maybe he can get great crops?

[Robert_Brenchley]

There's still no explanation of where 1.5lb seed spuds can be bought. A four foot hole in most places goes way beyond the topsoil into some nasty infertile stuff, often into solid rock. So how do you overcome that?

[plainleaf]

I  forgot to post the name of the book.
"how to grow giant vegetables" by colin bowcock
Well he grew 515 lbs from a 2.5 lbs seed potato.
So my goal of 150lb seems reasonable.
As for where to find 1.5 lbs seed potatoes I got mine at a farmers market.
 

[Eristic]

there are some great gardeners out there, aren't there??

But still they have no camera.

I've said it before, no pics no result.

What I want to know is what the weather is like in Maryland, or should that be fairyland?

For the information of genuine newcomers to this forum may I point out that from time to time we get buzzed by flies. Their sole purpose is to annoy though they often amuse.

If anyone has been tempted to dig a deep hole for their potatoes please do not. Most if not all tubers are formed at or close to the soil surface which is why we earth them up.

[plainleaf]

Eristic i did not bury the seed potato 4 foot deep.  Only 6 inches.
As for being an optimist I always am.  Great gardeners come from many places.

[lolabelle]

[ I have planted 4 potato plants already under protection for last month.
The plants are planted in 4 pits that were 4 foot deep when I started.
each seed potato was about 1.5 lbs and where planted undivided. If all goes as planned I should get  at least 150 lbs of potatoes per plant.

 
 just quoting you plainleaf..... I understand from this you planted 4feet deep,

[Tee Gee]

Eristic i did not bury the seed potato 4 foot deep.  Only 6 inches.

As I was reading down the replies I was developing an idea in my mind and it is this;

You dig your hole, you plant your seed  then you cover it with 6" soil then I guess you are going to layer the soil in around 6" layer as the plant/s grow am I right?

Basically they are being grown in a similar manner as container grown potatoes but without the container.

Thats my thoughts on the matter!

ps I don't fancy the digging that is required to harvest them