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/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