Regarding potato roots not getting all of the nutrients when only covered with hay, I think there is a maximum reach for a plant given the soil condition. Basically, if you do not disturb the soil (permit the micro organisms to grow and create networks and cover with hay), you extend the reach of the plants. If you disturb the soil, you reduce the reach of the plants. In either case there is an optimal spacing that can be discovered by planting at different densities. My tests from a few years back showed that 8x8 inch plots has the highest yield per square foot (compared to 6x6 and 8x12). Since this is quite dense, I just pack the seed potatoes in, concentrate the compost on top and water it frequently to leach the nutrients down. Overwatering is not an issue and the leaves blot out the sun which keeps the soil cool. When it comes time to harvest, the entire plot gets tilled since there is no spot under which there isn't a potato growing.
Great video. I'm not a homesteader, but last year I rooted sweet potatoes in my home and then planted them in large pots on our deck. Had some success and hope to do it better this Spring. Wish me luck and good luck to you with your potatoes.
Thank you very much for all the useful information Pete, also for good shooting, details, editing etc.. These are not easy stuff for only 1 person to handle, amazing. Thanks to Eric, he was there even if it was a bit late :)
Too funny. Saw you behind that tiller and thought “dude buy one for your tractor your too damn old for doing it that way”. Here in Camp Cty I plant spuds March 15th.
I am doing an experiment on one of the clay beds now, I have added 6" of coarse sand and tilled 8" down, I thought anyway I wanted to raise that bed up abit and will include organic material as well, so let's try sand for better drainage and good soil aeration, first time to do that. I hope it will be okay and to the better!
Everyone tells me not to use store potatoes to plant, but when a store bought tater is sprouting in the kitchen, i plant them in April, and I always get a crop.
Don't put sand in your clay, you will regret it. Get your self a PTO Tiller and leave that little tiller for the roses next to the house :) Green manure i.e. cover crop for a couple seasons and till in the bio mass. Wood chips as well and you can turn the soil back. Thanks for the video's Pete
I am with you 100% you need a tiller for your tractor. You are making me out of breath watching you with the hand tiller. WOW! You are getting your dirt fix for today that is for sure.
Tilling clay is a lot of work and you definitely feel it as you get older. :) With a tractor tiller, you could have the whole area done in less time than it took you to do 1 strip.
Watching your videos always learn something from you. Thank you so much for sharing. BTW when I was in countryside of China, saw farmers sprinkled potash on potato fields.
Pete I have a hoss double wheel how and it makes fast work out of planting spuds. You don't have plant them as deep at first with the how but you can heel the spuds several times and it buries them deeper every time.
That was awesome Pete ! Are you considering planting the whole potato for a richer start, as aposed to cutting in half, with less nutrient start ? I think your going to have a huge harvest this year, I really would like to see a new tiller behind that tractor. My back hurts watching you. Ordering azomite right now, I know it's going to be a great year of planting. 🙌💚🌱🌱🌱💛👍👍. So glad you mentioned about "Mounding" those potato plants, the guy I know does it twice a season for better yield, and bug control.
Very nice gardens. I'd like to see how it floods though, I have far more obvious-drainage but maybe I get more rain. I also think it's odd/interesting that your tractor is so huge but your tiller is so tiny(in comparison). I'm unsure/unaware of why your tractor is so large but I know I like my 4ft three-point-hitch-tiller.
Next time avoid using the rake to spread the amendments. After you dump a pile, tilt your bucket full down and lower it to about 3"-4" above the ground. Then using it as a grader blade, push the piles around to spread it more or less evenly around the planting area. I wish I had some acreage to plant, but too old to do it now.
Bought one for my 3032 and used it for the first time today. It works great and my body wont hurt for days afterwards! The front tine tiller is retired...
Pete do you not cut your seed potatoes? You could get about 12lbs of potatoes and cut them with an eye or two on each piece. Nothing wrong with what your doing you can do the whole potatoes. Make sure if you cut them do it a day or so before planting to let the potatoes crust over.
I hope you are not getting the ice and snow like we are getting. Do you have a local store to get asomite? It is so expensive here for a little bag. I would love to get a large bag of asomite like you have but I can't find a affordable source in Ky.
We're getting all the cold,snow and ice here and roads are almost impassable. When ever I go to Houston, I load up my vehicle with Azomite. It's not cheap but works well. Here's a map that will show you where to buy Azomite in your area. azomite.com/azomite-home-page/where-to-buy-azomite-trace-mineral-products/
Pete, it would be a lot easier on you if you went over the ground 2-3 times instead of letting in dig in the first pass. I'm 61, soon to turn 62 in April. How close are you to my age? I figure you're in your mid to late 50's. Farming is hard work.
Yeah I heard that too but since I have a ton of organic matter in there it might be okay. I did it to my watermelons last year and it worked out great.
Re clay reconstruction (by using Gypsum : CaSO4-2H2O). I'm sure you've come across this channel before, but just in case, here it is again. How to Know When Your Garden Soil is GOOD or NEEDS Replenishing. ruclips.net/video/k00rnBA9MFk/видео.html . Ever thought of setting a chicken tractor insitu over the desired area and let the chickens do the work? Why go so deep? It used to be the done thing but all soil research indicates that it is not necessary. In fact, it is harmful to the microstructure of the soil. Just a thought. I like your approach towards nutrients and avoideance of pesticide use. Good solid advice which I and many others, appreciate.
That is just way to much waisted time and engery...the old you are getting one should seriously think about working smarter...not harder...get yourself some big livestock water troughs...buy up some soil have it delivered, load into the water troughs... no more bending over, ..easier to keep weeds away, critters won't chew up your vegetables....and harvesting is so much easier...on you...yes you have land..but that doesn't mean you need to dig down into the dirt...I had lots of land also at one time 350 acres...but I suffered from siatica pain in my back and leg...the troughs where so much better...I packed enough away in freezing, canning for the six of us..for the whole winter and we'll into the next harvest picking season....and this was up in northern Ontario...back in the 70's- 80's......look into it...lots of people are doing this..not just just a few planks on the ground..that is not a raised bed to me...but up high...
Yeah I heard that too but since I have a ton of organic matter in there it might be okay. I did it to my watermelons last year and it worked out great.
That Greenhouse looks AMAZINGGGGGGG !! Congrats My Brother !!
God Bless Ur Hard work !!
Much appreciated, thank you.
Always love seeing the dobies
Regarding potato roots not getting all of the nutrients when only covered with hay, I think there is a maximum reach for a plant given the soil condition. Basically, if you do not disturb the soil (permit the micro organisms to grow and create networks and cover with hay), you extend the reach of the plants. If you disturb the soil, you reduce the reach of the plants. In either case there is an optimal spacing that can be discovered by planting at different densities.
My tests from a few years back showed that 8x8 inch plots has the highest yield per square foot (compared to 6x6 and 8x12). Since this is quite dense, I just pack the seed potatoes in, concentrate the compost on top and water it frequently to leach the nutrients down. Overwatering is not an issue and the leaves blot out the sun which keeps the soil cool. When it comes time to harvest, the entire plot gets tilled since there is no spot under which there isn't a potato growing.
Looks good Pete, nice to see you and Eric working together!
Blessings
Thanks 👍
Great video. I'm not a homesteader, but last year I rooted sweet potatoes in my home and then planted them in large pots on our deck. Had some success and hope to do it better this Spring. Wish me luck and good luck to you with your potatoes.
I cannot wait to see what you yield.
Your soil look amazing.
Beautiful job Pete! My back hurt just watching you.. Lol. The greenhouse is amazing! My mouth is watering for a big salad. Karen👍
Thank you for letting us know about the Caputo flour. It’s all I use now. Thank you.🤗
Awesome, it's my favorite flour for pizza and bread.
Great job, Pete. I'm here in NC and will plant my taters in March. I am using a new plot as well and need to amend. This vid helped.
I agree, you can buy a tiller for that nice tractor and also use the tines on your box blade to help cover everything back up. Cheers!
Beautiful job. Hope they made it after the snow blast.
Thank you very much for all the useful information Pete, also for good shooting, details, editing etc.. These are not easy stuff for only 1 person to handle, amazing. Thanks to Eric, he was there even if it was a bit late :)
Too funny. Saw you behind that tiller and thought “dude buy one for your tractor your too damn old for doing it that way”. Here in Camp Cty I plant spuds March 15th.
East Texas baby! Finally!!!
I am doing an experiment on one of the clay beds now, I have added 6" of coarse sand and tilled 8" down, I thought anyway I wanted to raise that bed up abit and will include organic material as well, so let's try sand for better drainage and good soil aeration, first time to do that. I hope it will be okay and to the better!
Everyone tells me not to use store potatoes to plant, but when a store bought tater is sprouting in the kitchen, i plant them in April, and I always get a crop.
You can also find kennebec seed potatoes at Tractor Supply
Pete, you can take those seed taters and cut them in half to double your yield I have done that for years. Good luck.
I used to cut my potatoes but I think you get a healthier plant with the whole potato.......I could be wrong though
Just to say - well done! Nice ideas. Greetings from Montenegro.
Don't put sand in your clay, you will regret it. Get your self a PTO Tiller and leave that little tiller for the roses next to the house :)
Green manure i.e. cover crop for a couple seasons and till in the bio mass. Wood chips as well and you can turn the soil back. Thanks for the video's Pete
RUclipsr Growfully with Jena speaks about sand in clay. ruclips.net/video/QS7qQVOzK7g/видео.html
What about coarse sand, just to make the soil friable?
Pete I have a 5 ft tiller for my tractor and I think you would benefit from having one..we ain’t getting any younger. Good video, thank you sir.
Thanks 👍
Yes u definitely need a tiller, hiller/ bedder implement for ur mahinda Pete! Make life a little easier!!
I am with you 100% you need a tiller for your tractor. You are making me out of breath watching you with the hand tiller. WOW! You are getting your dirt fix for today that is for sure.
I think our houses are less than two hours apart. I think we should go in halves on a tractor tiller! :)
Tilling clay is a lot of work and you definitely feel it as you get older. :) With a tractor tiller, you could have the whole area done in less time than it took you to do 1 strip.
Try Diakon radish cover crop, outside pride seed a great source.
Watching your videos always learn something from you. Thank you so much for sharing. BTW when I was in countryside of China, saw farmers sprinkled potash on potato fields.
Pete I have a hoss double wheel how and it makes fast work out of planting spuds. You don't have plant them as deep at first with the how but you can heel the spuds several times and it buries them deeper every time.
That was awesome Pete ! Are you considering planting the whole potato for a richer start, as aposed to cutting in half, with less nutrient start ? I think your going to have a huge harvest this year, I really would like to see a new tiller behind that tractor. My back hurts watching you. Ordering azomite right now, I know it's going to be a great year of planting. 🙌💚🌱🌱🌱💛👍👍. So glad you mentioned about "Mounding" those potato plants, the guy I know does it twice a season for better yield, and bug control.
Yeah u got nice tractor to be doing most of the work with ur back
Chemistry wise, garden grade gypsum breaks down clay and helps speed up the amending process.
Cost about $10 a bag st Lowe's.
I'm in Kilgore and I had to do it the past couple of years as my garden plots grew in size.
Last year I was digging up softball size pontiacs and yukons.
My 8 yr old son was having fun helping me dug them up.
I gave up tilling. I just pile it up and plant in the bottom. I rotate where I plant, so it gets mixed up when I dig them in the fall LOL
Very nice gardens. I'd like to see how it floods though, I have far more obvious-drainage but maybe I get more rain. I also think it's odd/interesting that your tractor is so huge but your tiller is so tiny(in comparison). I'm unsure/unaware of why your tractor is so large but I know I like my 4ft three-point-hitch-tiller.
Next time avoid using the rake to spread the amendments. After you dump a pile, tilt your bucket full down and lower it to about 3"-4" above the ground. Then using it as a grader blade, push the piles around to spread it more or less evenly around the planting area. I wish I had some acreage to plant, but too old to do it now.
I discover last time that you guys look realy like brothers and confimed it today
Well we are definitely brothers in Christ. 🙂
@@petebeasttexashomesteading I'm your sister in Christ 💕👍
all of this should benefit the fruit trees being that close to the potatoes.
Tilling implements At Tractor Supply in Lufkin.
With that big a tractor you should have a tiller for it, I have a 5 footer and would not give it up for anything.
Bought one for my 3032 and used it for the first time today. It works great and my body wont hurt for days afterwards! The front tine tiller is retired...
Thanks for the info, been wanting to grow some taters. Need to do a little meet up!
Funny. I do that sized area by hand
Pete do you not cut your seed potatoes? You could get about 12lbs of potatoes and cut them with an eye or two on each piece. Nothing wrong with what your doing you can do the whole potatoes. Make sure if you cut them do it a day or so before planting to let the potatoes crust over.
I used to cut my potatoes but I think you get a healthier plant with the whole potato.......I could be wrong though.
I hope you are not getting the ice and snow like we are getting. Do you have a local store to get asomite? It is so expensive here for a little bag. I would love to get a large bag of asomite like you have but I can't find a affordable source in Ky.
We're getting all the cold,snow and ice here and roads are almost impassable. When ever I go to Houston, I load up my vehicle with Azomite. It's not cheap but works well. Here's a map that will show you where to buy Azomite in your area. azomite.com/azomite-home-page/where-to-buy-azomite-trace-mineral-products/
Where did the grass go?
I saw a bunch of videos saying Azomite was a scam. They say your plants don't get anything from it.
It does work well but the soil has to have good microbiology to break down the minerals.
Pete, it would be a lot easier on you if you went over the ground 2-3 times instead of letting in dig in the first pass. I'm 61, soon to turn 62 in April. How close are you to my age? I figure you're in your mid to late 50's. Farming is hard work.
Can you please include link to your friend Eric’s channel? If it’s in this video I couldn’t locate the link.
Yep just did, thanks for reminding me.
Thank you, sir.
Did all the rain in June destroy all the potatoes you planted here too?
pretty much 🙁
Ok ..POTATOE question ... 25 lbs of potato seed will product about how many potatoes? And Pete, does this crop just feed your family? Thank you!
25lbs of seed potatoes could produce 4 time that so100lbs. We will eat and store what we can and the rest we will freeze dry for long term storage.
Caution about sand and clay, I read it makes cement in soil. not recommended, btw u till 2 much, but hey it's your soil.
Yeah I heard that too but since I have a ton of organic matter in there it might be okay. I did it to my watermelons last year and it worked out great.
You're gonna have 1,000 - 1,200 lbs of potatoes to dig up in harvest time! What are you gonna do with all those potatoes? :-)))
How are you protecting them with this freeze?
They are about 6 to 8 inches under so I'm hoping that's deep enough.........we'll see if any sprout in a few weeks.
Where is the Texas drawl?
Sand, and organic matter in clay is the way to go.. Sand will be there. The organic matter will need to be add pretty regularly.
Re clay reconstruction (by using Gypsum : CaSO4-2H2O). I'm sure you've come across this channel before, but just in case, here it is again. How to Know When Your Garden Soil is GOOD or NEEDS Replenishing. ruclips.net/video/k00rnBA9MFk/видео.html . Ever thought of setting a chicken tractor insitu over the desired area and let the chickens do the work? Why go so deep? It used to be the done thing but all soil research indicates that it is not necessary. In fact, it is harmful to the microstructure of the soil. Just a thought. I like your approach towards nutrients and avoideance of pesticide use. Good solid advice which I and many others, appreciate.
clay + sand = concrete
Have you tried it?
Pete, you are gonna earn them taters🥵
you should buy a plow and harrow they are cheap and use beds you soil sucks.
No kidding, all the wasted moves, about due for more tilling, human foot compaction.
That is just way to much waisted time and engery...the old you are getting one should seriously think about working smarter...not harder...get yourself some big livestock water troughs...buy up some soil have it delivered, load into the water troughs... no more bending over, ..easier to keep weeds away, critters won't chew up your vegetables....and harvesting is so much easier...on you...yes you have land..but that doesn't mean you need to dig down into the dirt...I had lots of land also at one time 350 acres...but I suffered from siatica pain in my back and leg...the troughs where so much better...I packed enough away in freezing, canning for the six of us..for the whole winter and we'll into the next harvest picking season....and this was up in northern Ontario...back in the 70's- 80's......look into it...lots of people are doing this..not just just a few planks on the ground..that is not a raised bed to me...but up high...
Oh no! Adding sand to clay can be very very bad! Look it up!
Yeah I heard that too but since I have a ton of organic matter in there it might be okay. I did it to my watermelons last year and it worked out great.