Tuesday, March 31, 2009

One More Time for Verde

Verde was asking for more posts on how the potato condo went together.

The Idea of the condo is simple- better than a pile of tires, makes for easier harvesting of the spuds- you simply start taking the boards off one level at a time. I think the idea is no digging to get your potatoes.

Here are the instructions on my DIY Blog-Well- it is pretty simple- First I took some old 2X4's in the garage and cut them them to 3 foot lengths ( i would think you could use 2X2's as well- I just happened to have some 2X4's), then I cut some 6" wide fencing boards to 3 foot lengths-- Then I attached the fencing boards to the 2X4's using drywall screws. Then I flip the whole thing over and stapled landscape fabric for the bottom. Then I flipped it back over and put some chits (seed potatoes) in it and covered with dirt. When I start to see evidence of potato growth, I will add another 4 boards and fill with more dirt/compost mix, and so on and so on.


You can see the bottom in this pic- it is just landscape fabric- I just happened to have some- I would imagine no harm would happen if you used cardboard or some old sheets or if you like to weed cut the grass out were you put the condo.

A TIP FOR HOT WEATHER RESIDENTS:(this would include Verde)

Nomikins commented on the DIY Post

"I tried and failed at this method two years in a row. I called a potato seed company, and the person there told me to layer in a soaker hose as the layers get built up, otherwise, the "condo" may stay too dry and get too hot in the summer. Of course, your mileage may vary, based on location. Here in the South, the poor plants just get too hot."

We don't have that too hot problem or too dry here in the NW, but thanks nomikins for the input.

Another tip for all: try using hex head sheet metal screws instead of drywall screws on the boards for easier removal!

DISCLAIMER:

PLEASE NOTE: I HAVE NEVER MADE ONE OF THESE BEFORE, ONLY HEARD ABOUT FROM SHIBA GUYZ BLOG. MY FIRST ATTEMPT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE DIFFICULTIES- ROBJ98168 IS NOT NOR EVER HAS BEEN AN EXPERT IN POTATO CONDO'S- YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY!

I hope this gets Verde and anyone else on the road to happy taters!

6 comments:

Connie said...

Ah, I'm flattered to have my very own post! Well, I bought some 2x6's to get started because all the spare wood here has been used.

Maybe the dry heat has been my problem before - I'll try the soaker hose.

Rob, do you plan on screwing in the additional boards as they grow?

Robj98168 said...

Yes I do and I will put mor dirt in it also

Connie said...

Yea, I'm thinking of putting up double uprights so that as the dirt mound grows I can slide a board down rather than screwing it in and then slide those boards out at the end of the growing season.

I suppose they'd then have to have supports at the top too....screwing them in seems the easiest.
Yea, thanks for letting me talk that out.

Anonymous said...

rob,
how many seed potatoes will grow comfortably in a space that size?

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

Rob,

I've been meaning to ask you ever since you first posted on the potato condo - what kind of assocation fees are you going to charge those taters? :)

Robj98168 said...

Verde- good idea. I use screws with hex heads because I think that saving on the wood is important also

Blonde- I put two packages of seed potatoes in So 20?

Condo- Tasty spuds. That my HOA fee!