I love August, I know spring is right around the corner and we can all start to get excited about our garden again.

As promised (and often asked about) I am going give you the know how on Seed Potatoes.

Potatoes are a warm season plant and are very susceptible to frost.   Most gardeners prefer to grow potatoes between July-September and a second crop again in January-February; however in the colder areas planting time is generally restricted from August-January. Potatoes are adaptable to both light and heavy soils, however good drainage is essential. Oderings sell certified seed potatoes, which means they are free of virus and disease.

Planting in the garden

1. Spread the potatoes out in a warm, shady, frost and water free area for two weeks to allow their eyes to sprout.
2. While waiting for the potatoes to sprout, start preparing your soil.   They need to be planted in rows 15cm deep and 75cm apart.   Potato fertiliser should be added at 1/2 a cup per metre, and then covered over with 5cm of soil so it doesn’t burn the potatoes; this is all the fertiliser that will be needed.
3. Place potatoes 30cm apart, cover over with soil and rake the surface level.

In two to three weeks sprouts will start to emerge.

4. When sprouts are 15cm tall, pile up the soil (make a mountain) adding a 10cm mound.   This will support the plants and will protect new potatoes from sun exposure, and prevents pest attacking them.   This should be done twice throughout the growing season.

Potato Space Savers

Even if you don’t have a lot of space you can still enjoy the taste and ease of growing your own potatoes. First pick something to grow them in. I’ve seen it done with rubbish bins/bags, tyres, big buckets, wine barrels, and large pots.   Whatever you use make sure you clean the container well and that there are plenty of drainage holes.

Follow step 1 as above.

Add 15cm of soil to your preferred space saver and put one layer of seed potatoes (for tyres around 6-7 potatoes is the right number), then cover with another 15cm of soil.

Follow step four as above but keep repeating until the space saver is full, the maturity date has lapsed or when the shoots above the ground start to flower or wither and die. Then tip the space saver over and sort through your potatoes, store and enjoy.

Choosing your spud can be hard so here are our top varieties and how they fear in the kitchen.

Best Mashers - Jersey Bennies, Heather, Ilam Hardy, Allura and Agaria.

Best Boilers - Purple Passion, Allura, Cliffs Kidney, Jersey Bennie, Liseta, Maris Anchor, Swift, Heather or Nadine.

Best Microwavers - Purple Heart and Osprey.

Best Chippers and Fryers - Ilam Hardy, Allura, Purple Passion, Agria and Moonlight.

Best Bakers and Roasters - Osprey, Liseta, Maris Anchor, Rocket, Allura, Chippewa, Agria, Rua and Van Rosa

Tips to remember:

• Watering regularly will promote smooth well-developed potatoes.
• Most potatoes are ready to be dug up after 90-100 days.
• If storing potatoes, allow the tops to completely die off before digging, discard any damaged ones and store in a cool, dark, dry place.
• Pest and diseases can affect potatoes for e.g. aphids, blight, potato moth.  C onsult your local store for correct diagnosis and control agents.
• Grow potatoes to help break up the soil in a new garden and the crop will be a bonus.

Other Jobs This Month

• Prevent leaf curl and bladder plum on fruit trees by spraying with copper.
• Apply mulch around berry canes like raspberries, boysenberries and loganberries.
• Glass house tomatoes available in store this month.
• Plant rhubarb allowing plenty of space to grow.
• Prune passionfruit and feijoa’s to encourage new growth and fruit.
• Early varieties of potatoes can now be planted. Fertilise with super phosphate to increase yield.
• Good time to dig compost into the vegetable garden. Add a General Fertiliser as you go.
• Sow early carrots and radishes directly into the garden. Other spring vegetable can now be sown into trays ready for transplanting in the spring.
• Treat damp mossy areas of lawn with Yates Surrender or Sulphate of Iron.
• Feed fruit and citrus trees with a Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertiliser, remember to water in well.

Next month we will give you the low down on tomatoes. Also for those of you in Christchurch we have got an expert from Waimea Nurseries to do a free fruit tree seminar/talk to our customers on the 22nd of August at 10am. It will be held at the Oderings Cafe on 92 Stourbridge Street and shouldn't go for more than an hour.

Any questions or suggestions don’t hesitate to contact me on  pamela@oderings.co.nz otherwise I hope to see you on the 22 ^nd .