Second Generation Potatoes

Wine barrel potatoes fertilized with Dusty's litter box contents

Back during last week of December 2009 I planted my first batch of potatoes. Although they have been quite low maintenance, I have wondered whether it was cost effective to grow a vegetable that is so cheap to buy. After I started harvesting the potatoes, I have replanted some tiny potatoes to regenerate them. Now the second generation is growing in one of my wine barrel planters.

Tiny potatoes on the left were planted in the wine barrel

I very much enjoy digging for new potatoes. Apparently, I really enjoy digging into dirt for "treasures" (see Wild Mushrooms Photo Album). Additionally, I recently found out that commercially grown non-organic potatoes consistently contain pesticide residues. It is one of the top 12 worst offenders. The full list is on Environmental Working Group (EWG) website. Now I am quite happy with the constant supply of new potatoes right on the farm.

More second generation potatoes are sprouting in the raised bed