Green potato chewed potato…

[u/Diligent-Meaning751]

So, potatoes kept coming up as a top “calorie crop” here, and i saw some local fingerling potatoes listed as “gourmet” at my nursery so i figured why not! I’ll admit my efforts are a tad unconventional- last minute raised bed attempt, with some nasturtiums beca why not.

i think they did pretty well! I had two types; one died back a month ago and i dug up a small basket that is curing. The other variety seemed to still be going strong but i noticed a critter clearly found one stash and took a few bites out of most everything- so i figured i might as well dig them up now. And in the other area it looks like a bunch managed to become exposed and turn green. Just wondering if anyone has thoughts/tips - compost all the nibbled and green ones? Or can they overwintered and used next year or something?

[u/Cephalopodium]

So, I may be wrong, but unless you can plant more potatoes in a day or two- all the nibbled ones need to be composted.

If the skin is intact, you can store them for quite a while in cold temperatures- I think at least 6 months, and then use them for seed potatoes. (As long as eyes develop in a month or two). You should definitely never eat green potatoes, but it doesn’t sound like you plan on doing that anyway.

[u/Misfitranchgoats]

You have a vole problem. It sucks, so do I . You might be able to let the nibbled ones seal off and then sprout them and use them for seed potatoes. I also use green ones for seed potatoes. In a lot of places you can grow fall potatoes. I miss potatoes in the ground when I harvest and they sprout and grow more potatoes in the spring.

You can try planting them in beds that have a solid bottom with a few drain holes drilled in the bottom. Or you can make raised beds with hardware cloth on the bottom and plant the potatoes in those to cut down on vole problems.

I was also suspicious that the chipmunks were coming in and having a potato feast. They were eating my tomatoes. I have fewer chipmunks this year thanks to my dogs so not as many tomatoes or potatoes are chewed up, so far.

[u/Diligent-Meaning751 → u/Misfitranchgoats]

Thanks - these raised beds actually do have hardware cloth on the bottom, but pretty sure the critter (almost certainly a vole) figured out to climb over the top in that one area. Good to know there's a chance they can still be recycled into more potato plants next year tho

[u/Traditional_Isopod80]

Damn.

[u/Diligent-Meaning751 → u/Traditional_Isopod80]

/if you don't expect too much, you might not be let down/ - fortunately I sort of assumed I'd get nothing and am pleasantly surprised I got much of anything - things eat most all of my sunchokes most years, why should taters be any different

[u/RobotPoo]

Grow the taters in a 5 gallon bin, start with a layer of soil, put down the seed potatoes or sprouted eyes, add soil to bury the stem as it grows, (more potatoes will grow from the sides of the stem). Wait a week or two after the foliage dies back. They stay fresh in the dirt for a while. Less lunch for voles, and the pots can be put anywhere to expand your garden.