New potatoes are
immature potatoes that grow from
potato eyes (the little knobby things found on potatoes that sit for a while). New potatoes are
small,
round, and generally
inexpensive to buy. They have a
sweeter flavor are used frequently in
stews or served with a
gravy poured over them. Don't
peel your new potatoes,
boil them whole, because the really
good vitamins are just below the
skin.
To grow your own new potatoes, you will need a
seed potato (which can be either a regular small potato or a commercially bought seed tater.) The seed potatoes need to have eyes on them.
- Dig 6 inch deep holes, 6-8 inches apart
- Fill holes with 3 inches of compost, and plant seed potatoes on compost, cut in half, cut side down.
- Add 3 inches of compost on top of seed potatoes
- Potato plants will begin to grow through the surface of the compost and roots will begin to grow down.
- When plants are 4-6 inches tall, mound soil on top to cover most of the leaves, a process called hilling.
- Three weeks later, hill again.
- Seven weeks later, the plants will break ground again. Gently sift through the soil for new potatoes.