160 lbs of Potatoes

I have more closet make-over pictures today! This spring I planted 10# of seed potato. We had no blight problems, good seed or dry conditions, I'm not sure which. Garden novice that I am, I wasn't sure what to expect. We harvested the past two weekends and stored more than 160lbs of potatoes (not including the ones we had eaten already)! I am overwhelmed with spuds. Another closet to the rescue! This is in our basement- a strange little alcove approx 10 ft x 4 ft concrete brick all the way around, finished in drywall. There must have been a reason for it in the 50's when our ranch was built-but it made a great tornado shelter and it will now become my root cellar!

I also harvested 2 huge cabbages-I fried 1/4 head and will make soup with another 1/2, but i am at a loss for what else to do with it. Homemade kraut?? I just put the head in the 'root closet' for now-it is the coolest place in the house aside from the fridge. Even without the tomatoes (still green), I was unprepared for the bounty of this garden. It's a good problem to have, I just need to learn how to cook with REAL food.


BEFORE CLOSET PICTURES:


























AFTER CLOSET PICTURES:




















IN BETWEEN PICTURES:





























Ruralrose said...
giggles - we all long for success and then don't know what to do with it - you have done such an awesome job this year, pride should be smiling on your shoulder, peace

September 9, 2009 10:31 AM
fullfreezer said...
Whoa!!! That's a boat-load of potatoes! Good luck. Just be sure you let them cure out before you pack them in that closet. I found one of ours going stinkily bad yesterday.
Judy

September 9, 2009 8:38 PM
hickchick said...
Judy --this is the part I worry about... I have read all the things I did wrong!! Even though the vines had died back-the skins peeled easily. They were not mature enough. I have limited space and conditions for storage.
I will be purchasing a temp/humidity device. I will also start dehydrating potatoes! I really don't think they will last very long. Next year I will harvest on their schedule NOT MINE! :)

September 9, 2009 9:21 PM