De Forest, WI | Ferguson Farmer - 11/3/2024 18:38
I am considering growing a small patch of potatoes and selling them to a local super market. I have grown potatoes in the garden many times in the past. What would be the best varieties? My main options are red Norland, red Pontiac, Yukon gold, russet burbank, kenebec, russet norkota, and AAC Canada gold-Doree. I would like to grow a diverse crop, but stick to broad ones like red, gold, and russets. I plan to cut the seeds to get the most out of each potato. The seed is $0.99 per pound. 50 pound bags are available but I am not sure if there is a discount. I have access to a sandy loam area. I think I may hill them frequently and that should suppress weeds for the most part. I plan to Spray them with a readily available insect killer to control potato bugs. They practically destroyed our crop this year. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Have you spoken with the supermarket? Your quotes seed prices are about triple what a “commercial” grower would be paying if they are paying for seed at all. Many keep back their own seed so the seed “cost” is only what it took to grow them.
Your seed cost is higher than the retail price, at least here. Yukon gold will only yield 3-5 commercial quality taters per plant. Yield is usually pretty poor. Many varieties will easily double or triple that yield. Yukons also have a problem with scab and many other diseases. There are excellent newer varieties.
Dark red Norland are a great tasting potato, but they have a problem with storage. Meaning they don’t store well. They are a fast, high moisture potato that needs to be used fairly quickly.
Finally, without equipment, potatoes are a VERY labor intensive crop. Worse than tomatoes or peppers. Manke very sure you have an outlet and a price BEFORE growing them. You will hate the profit margin otherwise. |
Potatoes
