In an easier and productive attempt at expanding my SFG, I came across this article at countrylife.net, the Lehmans forum site. I figure to use the potato crop in "lazy beds" to precondition the expansions for next seasons hand tilling and generate a small crop of potatoes also. The url for the article is:

http://www.countrylife.net/servlets/sfs?id=972658822249&c=Default&t=contentFeatureArticle&b=953568555281&i=953568555281&l=0&customerID=1017422074356&FormID=0&maxcount=5&top=0&Submit=Submit

You can copy and paste the above url or go to www.countrylife.net and select "articles" then search for "Irish Lazy Beds".

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 02, 2002

Answers

how about someone posting the "sweet potato" sprouting thingy,, something about a glass of water and toothpicks. I wanna try some this year,, anyone know what Im referring to ?

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 02, 2002.

Stan,

You take a fruit jar and suspend a small one in it by inserting toothpicks in the sides of the potato at the "equator" to hold half out of the glass.

I have also planted one in a pot with a hole in the bottom, covered the top and forced it to grow out the hole by starting with the pot upside down, then hanging it so the greens came out the hole on the bottom "hanging plant " style.

Keep in mind, potatoes grown with the tuber exposed to light can be toxic if eaten.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 02, 2002.

ok,,so the toothpicks are just to hold it half out of the water?,, so if I use a shallow dish, to put it in,, without the toothpicks,, that will work?

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), April 03, 2002.

The pressure on the bottom of the tuber may effect rooting. Can't say for sure, never tried it in a bowl.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

Some distributors heat treat sweet potatoes now to keep them from sprouting. They will rot, but not sprout :o( kim

-- kim in CO (kimk61252@hotmail.com), April 04, 2002.