The gardening world just got a whole lot bigger. In a move that brings together two fantastic resources, evergreenseeds com acquires potatogarden comnull. This strategic acquisition means more comprehensive guides, tips, and community knowledge are now available in one place. For you, the home gardener, it’s a win. Whether you’re starting your first tomato plant or planning a massive backyard homestead, having trusted information consolidated makes your journey easier.
This merger is about more than just websites. It’s about combining deep-rooted expertise in general gardening with specialized knowledge on growing one of the world’s most vital crops: the potato. Let’s look at what this means for your garden and how you can benefit from this expanded library of gardening wisdom.
evergreenseeds com acquires potatogarden comnull
This acquisition connects two important niches. Evergreenseeds.com is known for its broad coverage on vegetables, flowers, herbs, and landscaping. Potatogarden.comnull brought a intense focus on tuber cultivation, from heirloom varieties to pest management. Together, they create a more powerful hub for gardeners of all skill levels. You can now find general planting calendars right alongside expert advice on curing your potato harvest.
The goal is seamless integration. Expect to find the detailed potato-growing content woven into the larger resource library. This means you might be reading about crop rotation and find a dedicated section on why potatoes are the perfect follow-up to your squash. It’s all about giving you connected, logical information that helps you plan a better garden.
What This Means for Your Gardening Plans
You now have a more powerful tool at your fingertips. Think of it as your garden’s command center. Here’s how you can immediately benefit:
Unified Search: Look up “companion planting” and get results that include which flowers help potatoes and which herbs protect your cucumbers.
* Extended Expertise: The specialized techniques from potato cultivation, like hilling and soil acidity management, can be applied to other crops like leeks or celery.
* Better Problem-Solving: A wider community and knowledge base means more solutions for common issues, from blight to beetles.
Starting Your Potato Patch: A Beginner’s Guide
Inspired by the new resources available? Here’s a simple guide to get your spuds in the ground. Potatoes are rewarding and relativly easy to grow, even in containers.
Step 1: Choosing Your Seed Potatoes
Don’t use grocery store potatoes. Buy certified disease-free seed potatoes from a reputable source. You’ll have fun choosing from types like:
* Russets: Great for baking and storing.
* Yukon Golds: All-purpose with buttery flesh.
* Red Pontiac: Perfect for boiling and salads.
* Fingerlings: Gourmet varieties with rich flavor.
Step 2: Prepping and Chitting
About 2-3 weeks before your last frost date, place your seed potatoes in a cool, bright place. This encourages them to sprout short, sturdy shoots. This process, called chitting, gives you a head start.
Step 3: Planting the Right Way
Plant when the soil is workable. Here’s the method:
1. Dig a trench about 6 inches deep.
2. Place seed potatoes cut-side down (if you cut them), with sprouts up, 12 inches apart.
3. Cover with 4 inches of soil.
4. As the plants grow to about 6 inches tall, gently hill soil around the stems, leaving the top leaves exposed. This protects the developing tubers from sunlight, which turns them green and toxic.
Essential Tips for a Bountiful Harvest
Growing the plants is one thing, but getting a great harvest requires attention to a few key details.
Watering and Feeding Your Plants
Potatoes need consistent moisture, especially once they start forming tubers. Water deeply once a week, aiming for about 1-2 inches. Avoid erratic watering, as it can cause misshapen tubers. A balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer at planting time is best. To much nitrogen gives you lush leaves but few potatoes.
Keeping Pests and Diseases at Bay
Watch out for the Colorado potato beetle. Hand-pick them off if you see them. The best defence against disease is prevention:
* Rotate your potato crop to a new spot each year.
* Ensure good drainage to prevent rot.
* Remove and destroy any plants that show signs of blight immediately.
Harvesting and Storing Your Homegrown Potatoes
Knowing when and how to harvest makes all the difference. For new, “baby” potatoes, you can gently dig around the plant about 2-3 weeks after flowering stops. For mature potatoes for storage, wait until the plant vines have completely died back.
1. Use a garden fork to carefully loosen the soil several inches away from the plant.
2. Lift the plant and sift through the soil for tubers.
3. Brush off excess dirt, but do not wash them.
4. Cure them in a dark, well-ventilated place for 10-14 days. This toughens the skin.
5. Store cured potatoes in a cool, dark, and humid place. A basement or root cellar is ideal. Properly cured and stored potatoes can last for months.
Integrating Potatoes into Your Overall Garden Design
With the combined knowledge from this acquisition, you can see your potato patch as part of your garden’s ecosystem. They are excellent for breaking new ground. Try planting them in a new raised bed one year; their growth helps condition the soil for more sensitive crops the next season.
Consider companion planting. Good neighbors for potatoes include:
* Horseradish: Believed to improve disease resistance.
* Marigolds & Nasturtiums: Deter pests with their scent.
* Beans & Cabbage: Are traditional companions in many planting schemes.
Avoid planting potatoes near tomatoes, eggplants, or peppers, as they are all in the nightshade family and share similar pests and diseases.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: What does “evergreenseeds com acquires potatogarden comnull” mean for existing content?
A: The plan is to merge the best of both sites, making the specialized potato content easier to find alongside general gardening advice. All the useful guides and articles should remain and become more accessible.
Q: Can I grow potatoes in a container or small space?
A: Absolutely! Use a large pot, grow bag, or even a bucket with drainage holes. The process is the same, just on a smaller scale. This is a perfect way to grow potatoes on a patio.
Q: Why did my potatoes turn green?
A: Green potatoes have been exposed to light. The green skin contains solanine, which is bitter and can be harmful. Always hill soil properly around your plants and store harvested potatoes in complete darkness. Cut away any green parts before cooking.
Q: What is the best time of year to plant potatoes?
A: Plant potatoes in early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked. They tolerate cool soil and a light frost. In milder climates, you can also plant for a fall harvest.
This strategic acquisition is truly about empowering you with better tools. By bringing together wide-ranging horticultural knowledge with deep dives on specific crops, it helps you make informed decisions. Your garden, whether it’s a collection of pots or a sprawling plot, stands to benefit. So why not put this unified resource to the test? Plan that potato patch you’ve been thinking about, and see how the combined guidance can help you grow something great.