This season marks our 3rd for going no-till with our potato crop. Instead of disturbing the soil, we're building it! At planting time, the spuds are placed in a shallow furrow in the bed top and then covered with a thin layer of soil and a thick layer of mulch. Once the plants emerge, another layer of hay mulch is added, and then another as the plants start to flower. During the first half of summer, the sun, wind and rain start to break down the mulch, which keeps the growing potatoes moist and generally weed free. This environment is great for the soil biology, so life really starts thriving beneath the surface with this method. But the most exciting part of no-till potatoes is the harvest! We love pulling back the mulch and tugging out the plant, attached to which is a cluster of tender little taters, all shiny and new. The reds really stand out and make this task feel like an Easter egg hunt.
If you are getting potatoes this week, you can enjoy them lightly steamed or roasted, and they will be complimented nicely with butter or any oil of your choice. Try adding some fresh chopped herbs or mix with halved cherry tomatoes for a sumptuous summer potato salad. And don't worry! If you aren't getting potatoes in your box this week there will be many pounds coming down the pipe as the weeks progress towards fall. We are just at the beginning of the harvest and plan to dig all the varieties eventually. You can look forward to Oneida Golds, Adirondack Blues, and Goldrush Russets. There are plenty of potatoes to go around thanks to this no-till revolution!
