Planting Red Lasoda Potatoes
Have I mentioned my addiction to potatoes lately?
I planted 90 potato starts of the Red Lasoda potatoes this weekend….this first post we are going to focus on the first 40 or so that I planted in a row between some containers in our backyard. We really do try to utilize all of our space on our 1/3 acre property.
Do you love potatoes? This weekend we had “red smashed” potatoes from the grocery store and I have to say they are delicious served alongside steak, fish, or chicken or just buy themselves..YUM!
In the past I have spent a ridiculous amount on potatoes(fancy start varieties)…inevitably it would get too hot or too wet; we would have some luck but not the high yields that I was hoping for. So this year I changed my strategy. I decided to place my odds in bulk and bought my Red Lasoda potatoes at the local farm store.
I’m in Coastal NC Zone 8b and one fact about red lasoda potatoes that appealed to me is that they do well in high heat and drought environments.
According to (thepotatoassociation.org) the Red Lasoda are a “red mutant” variety developed by the Lousianna Potato breeding program in 1948. The original LaSoda was a selection from a cross of Triumph and Katahdin. Also the University of Florida shares that “Plants should be vine killed when size distribution meets desired goals. The time from vine kill to harvest varies by season. At least two to three weeks should be allowed for tubers to mature and set skin.”(Univ. of Fla)
Reading up with agriculture extension offices and doing your research first pays off ensuring that you are planting a variety that is a good fit for your homestead. I always enjoy embarking on new adventures and I think with the amount of potatoes, peppers, and tomatoes I am planting this year I am doing just that. I have also asked the Viking to procure us a produce scale so that I can weigh all the pounds of produce we are going to harvest this year! I can’t wait to share this information with all of you!
So you can imagine my excitement this was a variety developed for the South Eastern part of the country I am hoping I will have better luck and higher yields as I stated earlier and also this variety is known for high yields! Woohoo!
The bad news is that blight can strike this potato so fingers crossed!
I had so much fun working in the garden this weekend planting our potatoes, repotting plants, and even getting my straweberry starts in our rotating strawberry planter. The potatoes have such a beautiful rosy skin which of course we cut them up and let them air dry overnight before we planted. We don’t lay out in the sun anymore as our research tells us what is most important is that the potato has dried over where it was cut apart for starts.
We also are going to plant some more starts in a trash can this year instead of a potato tower this year! We love trying new planting methods and comparing how they work!
What all do you have growing in your garden? Do you have an special plans? My good friend Nikki who is local to me has planted an official “Monarch” butterfly garden which I think is so cool I hope she will let me come visit her in her garden and feature her on the blog 🙂 she is a moderator in our Lil’ Suburban Homestead Facebook group so if you stop in mention it to her 🙂
I wish you all a beautiful week! Until next time….
Fondly,
I’m looking to have a better spot for my home made grow bags this year for tomatoes and a few spuds! I’m thinking along the driveway as that faces south and I will plop those bags right on top of the pain in the fanny chameleon plant that refuses to die… I’ve dug that nasty thing up by the roots a number of times and it comes back. 🙁 here’s to hoping!!!
Be a while before things are planted outside here in southern Ontario, zone 5. Not sure if 5a or b but it will still be a while. Late May for the most part…
I love growing potatoes in straw. No digging. So easy. I’ve never tried the tower method. I’ll have to give it a try. I have a large rectangle garden box (potato box) and just add the straw as the potato plants grow.
Christina –
I may well yet try the box method too…we have bunches of potatoes…what is your favorite variety?
Christina I wish you the best of luck with your tomatoes and spuds…I think the potatoes can be tricky….I am really going to watch them close this year. Good luck with your fanny chameleon plant LOL! I don’t know what it is but it sounds like it’s a bear to deal with. Hope you are having a good week!
That chameleon plant is a pretty thing but man, is it ever aggressive!!! It spreads by underground roots and I have dug it up a few times already..keeps coming back…a real pain in the butt!!! Got the pattern and fabric for a dress for my nieces wedding next November, really good deal so I get to work on that soon!! Thought if I went looking for fall colours I would find a deal as the stores are looking to make room for the spring and summer colours and it worked!!! Less than half price for the fabric and it’s a lovely deep teal colour light weight satin fabric!!! Have a good week yourself!!
Christine! Teal is my favorite color! I know it will be beautiful! If you get a chance send me a pic of that chameleon plant I would love to see it! Hope all is well and that you are staying warm….I have been thinking about you!
Yum, potatoes! I have a friend who uses potato boxes and they work really well for him! We’re pretty traditional here & just plant them in the ground. 😉
Julie we planted some in the ground and some are going in the trash bin container and some may even make their way into a potato tower….i think I may have been a little over zealous in my purchase LOL!