Is it too late to plant TPS?

happydog · April 28, 2012

I'm in zone 7a, potatoes are generally planted here from mid March till the first of May. Should I go ahead and sow my TPS now or would it be better to hang on to them and get an earlier start next year?

Also, is there anywhere online that gives a detailed how-to on sowing and growing info on TPS?

Thanks!

feldon30 · April 28, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by happydog

I'm in zone 7a, potatoes are generally planted here from mid March till the first of May. Should I go ahead and sow my TPS now or would it be better to hang on to them and get an earlier start next year?

I'm guessing it's too late, but my knowledge of TPS is limited.

Quote:

Originally Posted by happydog

Also, is there anywhere online that gives a detailed how-to on sowing and growing info on TPS?

Thanks!

I wish there was a comprehensive guide.

delltraveller · April 28, 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by happydog

I'm in zone 7a, potatoes are generally planted here from mid March till the first of May. Should I go ahead and sow my TPS now or would it be better to hang on to them and get an earlier start next year?

Also, is there anywhere online that gives a detailed how-to on sowing and growing info on TPS?

Thanks!

For more info on growing TPS, use your favorite search engine and enter tatermater. If you use Google, the second entry is where you want to head.

Is it too late? Depends on what your goals are. Can you do fall planting in your location? Are you looking to grow some micro tubers to sow next year?

Last year I sowed TPS in late July and grew the plants in pots, with the goal of growing micro tubers, and with some success. It's a great way to practice and get the hang of growing the TPS.

TZ-OH6 · June 6, 2012

Two years ago I posted a summary of everything that had been discussed regarding TPS up to that time. It's on a different forum but can be found by googling [True Potato Seed tz].

Is it too late for TPS. Yes for this year if you want to get eating potatoes, no if you want tubers to plant next year to get a real crop. I grow the plants in styrofoam cups and let them die off whenever they do and then have little tubers for next year. I don't touch the cups after that, just let them dry out and leave the little tubers in the soil until next spring.

You can even start the TPS in the fall or winter, but the tubers need 2-3 months of dormancy before they will sprout. I didn't get around to planting mine this spring but will probably do it in a few weeks.

delltraveller · June 6, 2012

TZ-OH6, happydog lives in North Carolina so his mileage may vary from our Midwestern ones.

TZ-OH6 · June 6, 2012

True, I was going by the planting date given, which overlaps with mine.

happydog · June 6, 2012

Thanks. I've been too busy with regular gardening to plant them. I don't need spuds this year, as I've already planted 650 row feet of them. But I do want to get them started so I'll have tubers to plant next spring.

I thought maybe there would be some kind of directions or tutorial somewhere. I bookmarked that thread awhile back. I'll go look at it again.

Thanks!

April 28, 2012	#1
happydog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Appalachian Mountains NC Posts: 151	Is it too late to plant TPS? I'm in zone 7a, potatoes are generally planted here from mid March till the first of May. Should I go ahead and sow my TPS now or would it be better to hang on to them and get an earlier start next year? Also, is there anywhere online that gives a detailed how-to on sowing and growing info on TPS? Thanks!

June 6, 2012	#4
TZ-OH6 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mid-Ohio Posts: 848	Two years ago I posted a summary of everything that had been discussed regarding TPS up to that time. It's on a different forum but can be found by googling [True Potato Seed tz]. Is it too late for TPS. Yes for this year if you want to get eating potatoes, no if you want tubers to plant next year to get a real crop. I grow the plants in styrofoam cups and let them die off whenever they do and then have little tubers for next year. I don't touch the cups after that, just let them dry out and leave the little tubers in the soil until next spring. You can even start the TPS in the fall or winter, but the tubers need 2-3 months of dormancy before they will sprout. I didn't get around to planting mine this spring but will probably do it in a few weeks.

June 6, 2012	#5
delltraveller Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Iowa Posts: 481	TZ-OH6, happydog lives in North Carolina so his mileage may vary from our Midwestern ones.