bintje bins

ljp · May 8, 2011

I started my Bintje potatoes in bins. Last year I used fresh grass clippings for mulch and it turned to slime with heavy rains. Many of the vines rotted and those that didn't weren't covered while the grass was drying out. I'm going to use leaves this year.

I'll let you know how it turns out.

ljp · June 28, 2011

My bins are full of mulch to the top. I used a combination of leaves and grass thatch. It shouldn't turn to slime like last year. So, the potatoes (late season) are in, well ahead of last year, and fully mulched. It should be a good test of the system.

wingnut · June 28, 2011

No pics? Lot's funner w/pics!

wmontanez · June 28, 2011

we like pictures yes!

ljp · June 29, 2011

After about four hours trying to transfer and edit pictures I decided I would post them later. I'm gone for a month, but, I do have pictures.

ljp · July 29, 2011

I was away for three weeks and it rained. Once again the mulch has compressed and is quite wet. The mulch is down about six inches from where I had it.

wmontanez · July 29, 2011

Those potato boxes look very neat. How deep are they?

ljp · July 30, 2011

I used 2*6 to build the bins. I have a supply of 10ft undressed boards. The bins are 4 boards, 24" high. They are 3'*2'. The construction is reversed from some others. I made a frame for the top and bottom and fastened them to the corners. The other boards slide in and are held in place by the mulch. I don't have to screw them on as the potatoes grow. However, I can't sneak new potatoes.

ljp · October 17, 2011

Harvested:

I got somewhere around 30 pounds from a 10 pound planting. Many of the potatoes have scab of some sort, terry cloth texture. In one bin I have quite a bit of insect damage -- 1/4 inch holes in the potato, some hollowed out. I've seen wire worms; but, it looks like slug damage. All the potatoes were spread on the ground at the bottom of the bin.

Results:

modest yield
no potatoes above the bottom of the bin
mulch compressed to about 12 inches
three cubic feet of compost

I'll try again next year with a different variety of potato (suggestions?). I probably should do something to control the scab and insects. I'm not sure what will work.

Medbury Gardens · October 19, 2011

Well ya gave it a good go ljp and you can only learn how to do it better next time.

Sorry no suggestions

salix · October 19, 2011

ljp - for what it's worth, of about 20 different varieties I tried this year (some of Tom Wagner's being one plant only), the Bintje were the worst for scab and splitting/healing due to very wet cold season. Had very good luck with German and French fingerlings, Old Red, a Russet of some type and our favourite, Cariboo (unfortunately not commercially available). Maybe just try anything other than Bintje...

wmontanez · October 19, 2011

Have not tried Bintje so I can't tell but some other varieties like Salix suggests could be better choice for you. I tried Red Thumb this year and was early plus very tasty! Yukon Gold are very good and early too. Another I keep reading good things about is Kennebec soon will try one next year too.

ljp · October 20, 2011

July was cool and wet. Also, the mulch I used to fill the bins was wet for most of the summer. Would that contribute to the scab?

I have a friend that grows potatoes in 5 gallon pails sucessfully. All he knows about the potatoes is that they are red and he gets them from a friend that has grown them for years.

May 8, 2011	#1
ljp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 189	bintje bins I started my Bintje potatoes in bins. Last year I used fresh grass clippings for mulch and it turned to slime with heavy rains. Many of the vines rotted and those that didn't weren't covered while the grass was drying out. I'm going to use leaves this year. I'll let you know how it turns out.

June 28, 2011	#4
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	we like pictures yes! __________________ Wendy

July 29, 2011	#7
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	Those potato boxes look very neat. How deep are they? __________________ Wendy

October 19, 2011	#12
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	Have not tried Bintje so I can't tell but some other varieties like Salix suggests could be better choice for you. I tried Red Thumb this year and was early plus very tasty! Yukon Gold are very good and early too. Another I keep reading good things about is Kennebec soon will try one next year too. __________________ Wendy

June 28, 2011	#3
wingnut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: bald hill area thurston county washington Posts: 312	No pics? Lot's funner w/pics!

June 29, 2011	#5
ljp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 189	After about four hours trying to transfer and edit pictures I decided I would post them later. I'm gone for a month, but, I do have pictures.

July 30, 2011	#8
ljp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 189	I used 26 to build the bins. I have a supply of 10ft undressed boards. The bins are 4 boards, 24" high. They are 3'2'. The construction is reversed from some others. I made a frame for the top and bottom and fastened them to the corners. The other boards slide in and are held in place by the mulch. I don't have to screw them on as the potatoes grow. However, I can't sneak new potatoes.

October 17, 2011	#9
ljp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 189	Harvested: I got somewhere around 30 pounds from a 10 pound planting. Many of the potatoes have scab of some sort, terry cloth texture. In one bin I have quite a bit of insect damage -- 1/4 inch holes in the potato, some hollowed out. I've seen wire worms; but, it looks like slug damage. All the potatoes were spread on the ground at the bottom of the bin. Results: modest yield no potatoes above the bottom of the bin mulch compressed to about 12 inches three cubic feet of compost I'll try again next year with a different variety of potato (suggestions?). I probably should do something to control the scab and insects. I'm not sure what will work.

October 19, 2011	#10
Medbury Gardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Medbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,881	Well ya gave it a good go ljp and you can only learn how to do it better next time. Sorry no suggestions

October 19, 2011	#11
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	ljp - for what it's worth, of about 20 different varieties I tried this year (some of Tom Wagner's being one plant only), the Bintje were the worst for scab and splitting/healing due to very wet cold season. Had very good luck with German and French fingerlings, Old Red, a Russet of some type and our favourite, Cariboo (unfortunately not commercially available). Maybe just try anything other than Bintje...

October 20, 2011	#13
ljp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 189	July was cool and wet. Also, the mulch I used to fill the bins was wet for most of the summer. Would that contribute to the scab? I have a friend that grows potatoes in 5 gallon pails sucessfully. All he knows about the potatoes is that they are red and he gets them from a friend that has grown them for years.