Words and pictures from the author of And the Crows Took Their Eyes as well as the Elizabeth Goodweather Appalachian Mysteries . . .
Monday, April 18, 2011
Time to Plant the Taters
Fifty pounds of seed potatoes have been riding around in the back of my jeep for over a week now. But the weather finally cooperated and the ground dried out and John and Justin and I got the cut-up taters in the ground.
Some folks plant by the signs; some plant on Good Friday ( in hopes of a sure resurrection, I suppose;) we plant when we can. It's an important yearly event for us but it's a movable feast.
These are Kennebecs -- ordinary white potatoes -- and, if nothin' don't happen, they'll yield plenty to keep us all well supplied through the year. I'm going out today to try to find some Yukon Golds and some red potatoes as well to plant down at the lower place.
It was a beautiful day -- perfect for this Spring ritual we've enacted for thirty five years now. Back at the house for an omelet that included the first asparagus and shitakes, we felt truly blessed in this country life.
So good to hear that you were not in the path of some storm or tornado, but planted potatoes instead! So very good that you are happy with the life you chose, reading about it and seeing the beauty of your surroundings makes me feel blessed too. To a very good week on the farm, Merisi
It was a beautiful day to be outside working, although brisk winds here kept it on the cool side. Our ground dried out quickly, but with rain just about every day, getting our garden planted is a challenge!
Looks like us! Only it's still too wet to plant, here. It was nippy yesterday, though sunny and lovely. Hope you didn't get high winds the night before. We escaped with only an occasional blast of 45 MPH...such a sad day for NC. Our hearts are with everyone.
It sure has been wet, hasn't it! My husband reports that the lettuce is up and doing well in spite of the 4 inches of rain we received over the weekend. The one year we did plant potatoes, we planted both Yukon Golds and some type of little purple ones. They made the best looking potato salad! But we don't really cultivate enough space to make potatoes worthwhile. Lucky you!
Merisi -- evidently the storms were all to the east of us; we had some rain and, mercifully, that was all.
Pat, I know you're as busy as we are -- crunch time in the garden!
Ftiko --I did wield a how for some of the time -- but I laid it down to take pictures and to go to the house for beer and cider for the hard working guys.
I've made that potato salad, Karen! The purple potatoes are nice and earthy tasting -- and so neat looking.
Suz -- Van Gogh's 'Potato Eaters' is one of the most depressing pictures ever painted, IMHO. Are his potato planting paintings equally grim?
We've never managed Good Friday planting because we have a big Easter party on Sunday and are always busy getting ready. I like the idea -- it just doesn't work for us.
You make is all sound so easy and fun. I know it may be fun, but it's not all easy. Part of the beauty of these posts is that you tell us about it with such joy, and with a sense of thankfulness in your voice.
That is a wonderful post. Ah the memories of planting potatoes. My baby sister bit my big sister's goldfish in two and planted the two halves in the garden to grow more! That's true. She knew how we cut the potatoes and planted them!
LOL! We really don't know whether the goldfish was alive or not. It had been in a bowl but maybe the cat had fished it out first, but wee sister took big sister by the hand and there it was head and tail.. planted!
17 comments:
So good to hear that you were not in the path of some storm or tornado, but planted potatoes instead!
So very good that you are happy with the life you chose, reading about it and seeing the beauty of your surroundings makes me feel blessed too.
To a very good week on the farm,
Merisi
It was a beautiful day to be outside working, although brisk winds here kept it on the cool side. Our ground dried out quickly, but with rain just about every day, getting our garden planted is a challenge!
Did you do the photos rather than the planting?
Clicking away kept you beautifully busy for our benefit!
Looks like us! Only it's still too wet to plant, here. It was nippy yesterday, though sunny and lovely. Hope you didn't get high winds the night before. We escaped with only an occasional blast of 45 MPH...such a sad day for NC. Our hearts are with everyone.
Elora
It sure has been wet, hasn't it! My husband reports that the lettuce is up and doing well in spite of the 4 inches of rain we received over the weekend. The one year we did plant potatoes, we planted both Yukon Golds and some type of little purple ones. They made the best looking potato salad! But we don't really cultivate enough space to make potatoes worthwhile. Lucky you!
I almost saw a Van Gogh
...may the garden god bless you
The weather overhere is great potato weather too! You are so busy planting and gardening. I admire you all!
My parents and grandparents all planted potatoes on Good Friday. No matter how early or how late Good Friday fell. Hope you get a wonderful crop.
Your soil looks fantastic. We actually had a little snow on Saturday night. I may have to wait another week...ha.
Not only does it yield an edible crop, it provides lots of great exercise!
Beautiful. Taters make me happy.
Merisi -- evidently the storms were all to the east of us; we had some rain and, mercifully, that was all.
Pat, I know you're as busy as we are -- crunch time in the garden!
Ftiko --I did wield a how for some of the time -- but I laid it down to take pictures and to go to the house for beer and cider for the hard working guys.
I've made that potato salad, Karen! The purple potatoes are nice and earthy tasting -- and so neat looking.
Suz -- Van Gogh's
'Potato Eaters' is one of the most depressing pictures ever painted, IMHO. Are his potato planting paintings equally grim?
We've never managed Good Friday planting because we have a big Easter party on Sunday and are always busy getting ready. I like the idea -- it just doesn't work for us.
You make is all sound so easy and fun. I know it may be fun, but it's not all easy. Part of the beauty of these posts is that you tell us about it with such joy, and with a sense of thankfulness in your voice.
A comfort to read...
Rick
Vicki -- I'll be over for fresh baked potatoes topped with olive oil and yogurt in a few months -- barbara
That is a wonderful post. Ah the memories of planting potatoes. My baby sister bit my big sister's goldfish in two and planted the two halves in the garden to grow more! That's true. She knew how we cut the potatoes and planted them!
Still crazy after all these years, Rick!
Hold that thought, Jean!
Joan -- what a great story -- I'm going to have to ask, was the goldfish dead or alive when she bit him in half?
LOL! We really don't know whether the goldfish was alive or not. It had been in a bowl but maybe the cat had fished it out first, but wee sister took big sister by the hand and there it was head and tail.. planted!
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