Farmer's Tan in Paradise

I am currently vacationing in San Diego. Hopefully, I will have some pictures to share with you when I return next week. I am enjoying the lush green environment and warm weather. My youngest son, who was born and lived all of his three years in the high desert has been particulary enthralled with the novelty of the new environment. I am not sure how, but  I have managed to acquire a farmer's tan while staying in a seaside resort.

My first Blossom of 2010!

I have waited a very long time for this occasion…the first blossom! I am so thrilled that I finally have a flower to flaunt; I feel like throwing a party!

How is your garden growing? Are you still digging out from the snow, or are you in one of those lovely southern climes and have to use a machete to get to the mailbox?

To see beautiful gardens from around the world, visit Flaunt Your Flowers Friday at Tootsie Time.

My Potato Garden

Sometimes it pays to forget your reusable bags. I use paper bags to hold my potatoes until they are ready to be put in the ground. I keep the potatoes in a dark spot in the garage where they are stored at approximately 40 degrees. I will plant them at the end of March. Potatoes can survive a light frost, but I have to wait until all danger of a hard freeze is over. When we get snow, which we inevitably will, I will cover them like this.

I am about to venture into controversial territory, feel free to disagree (sweetly) in the comment section. I will tell you what I think are the 3 major differences between buying seed potatoes and planting organic potatoes that were purchased at the grocery store.

1. When you purchase seed potatoes, you know the exact variety you are buying. Store potatoes are often labeled something ambiguous like red potatoes.

2. Organic Potatoes purchased at the store are less expensive. I paid $1.94 a pound for seed potatoes and bought a 5 pound bag of organic potatoes for $3.99 (not on sale) which works out to less than .80 cents a pound.

3. Grocery stores feel compelled to wash the potatoes before they sell them to you.
I washed part of the All Blue seed potato so you could see the color. I have used a combination of store bought organic potatoes and seed potatoes.

I pick the smallest potatoes I can find, so that I get more potatoes per pound. Then I don’t cut them up; I plop them in the ground whole. I use the trench method for potatoes, but they are well suited for container gardening.

Are you going to be growing potatoes this year? What are your favorite varieties? I am thinking of adding one or two more varieties to my garden.

I am linking this post to Works For Me Wednesday, because although I do buy some seedling potatoes, I am just as happy using store bought organic potatoes!