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Re: Potatoes and Straw

Wow.  Thanks, f-p.  (Who was that masked man?)
     It sounds kind of like growing leeks.  I'm going to do it your way.
However, I do have some questions.
     What's wrong with the sprawl?  Do they grow better or bigger when
confined? Or is it just a space saving method?
     How tall can you grow these things?  Is it limited only by the
length of the season, or the strength of the straw, or what?
     If you bury some of the green parts, do they then start to root?
(like a tomato plant will)
     Do you want very loose straw or packed straw?
     Can you use the same straw year after year?
     How deep should the initial straw layer be?
     Should I put the potato into the ground, or just on top?
     Can the bottom potatoes be harvested before the top ones?  Would
that hurt the plant if you steal from the bottom of the tower?  If you
use the tire tower method, could you slice between the bottom tire and
the second tire, pull out the bottom tire, let the rest of the tire tower
down gently, and harvest from the bottom tire?
     How would you fertilize as the plant gets taller and taller?
     
I think I will start the potato patch ASAP, and when I get time, I will
build a retaining wall around the patch.  Hmmmm,  I just got an idea for
a cheap 12 inch tall by 8 ft long raised bed wall that shouldn't cost
more than about $3.00 US.  

Thanks again f-p,  I may have more fun with this than with my pyramids.

Stan.     The cheap and lazy gardener.
P.S.   My neighbors will love my new potato towers, especially if it put
fins on them!

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