Diggin' spuds

I love to eat potatoes. Never grew them, tho. The planting season here starts January through February, with 90-120 days til harvest. So when I read a blurp in the paper that potato seeds were available at the local garden center, I jumped at the opportunity to cultivate my own patch of paradise. Why buy potato seeds when any ol supermarket tuber is one sprout away from taking over the veggie bin? Two reasons: if it doesn't sprout, it is probably because the plant was treated with a growth inhibitor. In addition, seeds are certified as resistant to most common diseases. There were 6 varieties of potatoes to choose from at the nursery, in 5 lb bags. I picked “Pontiac Red,” based solely on the yummy picture on the label.

The planting bed was perfection. Nothing had grown in it since I dug in nitrogen-rich soybean plants in September. I then over-wintered a large pile of aged horse manure. The clincher was that the soil had never known disease-prone crops from the nightshade family. No (Irish) potato blight here, knock on wood.Planting took place yesterday, with a promise of rain today. Perhaps I should start a few chives to compliment the harvest. . . .