[AT] digging potatoes

[jtchall at nc.rr.com]

Its muddy everywhere right now. We got through planting sorghum last week 
and when we harrowed the fields the first time we had to let the sun and 
wind dry them before we could cut them again.

I suppose we could get them out and leave them in baskets for a couple days 
for the chunks of mud to dry then gently brush them off before putting them 
in storage. Right now it looks like more rain coming, we've had it for 4 
days straight. We can't do anything until it dries up enough to get in there 
with a tractor, too many to dig by hand, or you could say I'm too lazy to do 
so!

John

-----Original Message----- 
From: Herb Metz
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 1:03 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] digging potatoes

My first thought is size of your patch, then variations in moisture
conditions throughout the patch.  Suggest you dig enough hills in the
(moisture)extremes areas to make a decision as to continue digging, or wait
another week or so.
Rather than washing them, I would leave a bit of soil on the potatoes being
stored.
Herb

-----Original Message----- 
From: David Bruce
Sent: Sunday, June 30, 2013 12:00 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] digging potatoes

A few decades ago my grandpa would always grow a large amount of
potatoes, planted his around Memorial Day and harvested in mid to late
August.  Grown in a hollow that was always too wet to work any sooner.
My great uncle (his brother in law) would always proclaim the potatoes
would rot in storage because they were harvested in the dog days.  That
never was a major problem.  By that time the soil was reasonably dry so
the potatoes could be plowed out, picked up (I was one of those lucky
ones), stored in baskets long enough for the skins to cure enough so
they would not rub off and only then placed in there storage spot for
the winter.
I would be concerned that washing right after harvesting would rub off
some of the skin.  I might consider temporary storage in baskets until
they cure a bit and then washing, drying and permanently storing.

David
NW NC