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Re: fall potatoes?

Margaret Lauterbach wrote:
> 
> At 05:18 PM 7/21/98 -0700, you wrote:
> >Mkwg1@aol.com wrote:
> >>
> >> Has any one successfully done this?  I live in costal VA and read a book on
> >> southern gardening that mentioned a fall crop of potatoes but didn't
> give any
> >> details.  Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.  Where would I get
> >> seed tubers in the fall?
> >>
> >> Mary G.
> >
> >
> >I think they mean planting in mid-summer for a fall crop -- not
> >necessarily an overwintered one.  Potatoes can't take any frost to speak
> >of.  You will probably have to save some seed next spring for later
> >planting as this year's crop will not sprout well and I doubt you'll
> >find anyone selling seed right now.  Not much demand.
> >
> >Steve  (Maritime...)
> >
> I don't know what people meant, but it's perfectly possible to plant
> potatoes in fall for a next year's crop, even in zone 5.  Sure, the ground
> freezes, but the potatoes do come back.  If you ever grew potatoes, you'd
> have volunteers coming the next spring, regardless of the frigid winter.
> Anyplace that sells seed potatoes should have them, or use some you grew
> this year.  Johnny's Selected Seeds sells seed potatoes (this time of year
> you may be limited in choice).  In your region, I should think they'd do
> fine.  Don't expect foliage until spring, though.  Margaret


So what is the advantage over spring planting?  My spring planted crop
is up before any volunteers.  Seems to me leaving potatoes in the soil
over winter is an invitation to disease and insect predation.  At least
in my climate where the winter is fairly warm and very wet.

Steve  (Maritime..)
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