Sowing Spuds

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"The flavor of 'All-Red' is rich, like English walnuts, even a bit earthy," Weaver writes in his book 100 Vegetables and Where They Came From. "Walnut oil in the salad dressing is a perfect match and a good way to enhance the flavor."

Along with 'All-Red,' several varieties of French "fingerling" potatoes, so named because they look a bit like a human finger, also have won Weaver's favor. These include 'Roseval,' a waxy, gourmet European salad potato introduced to the U.S. market in 1950 and still a standard among gourmets, and the heirloom 'La Ratte,' introduced in 1872 in Europe, and, says Weaver, "one of the best fingerlings to grow at home — productive and disease-free." Both are available through SSE.

PLANTING TIME

'All-Red,' also known as 'Cranberry Red,' remains a rosy pink inside even after it is cooked.

Although classified as a cool-season crop, potatoes are flexible and will grow well under a broad range of conditions. While they tend to be more productive in the northern tier of the United States and in southern Canada, they can be grown virtually anywhere in this country.

St. Patrick's Day, March 17, is the traditional potato-planting date, but regional weather conditions may dictate fudging a bit on that timing. In the South, start plants before temperatures regularly climb into the 90s. Determine your last average spring frost date and back off three weeks from there to set a planting date. Potato foliage is hardy to about 28 degrees, but the roots can withstand even more cold.

Klettke, in North Dakota, times her potato planting by feel. "After tilling," she says, "grab a handful of soil. If it feels cold, wait; potatoes can easily rot. The ground should be cool-to-warm to the touch."

In his book, Growing Vegetables West of the Cascades, Steve Solomon recommends using a fabric row tunnel-cover if you are determined to plant early, or waiting until May 15 to June 1. "Sowing later than this will greatly reduce the yield," he says, "but sowing earlier, even if frosts don't get them, will tend to make the vines dry out too soon, making it harder to store your crop over the winter." Many home growers just take their tater-planting cues from nature: When the dandelions bloom, it's time to set the spuds.

From planting time to harvest varies with variety. Some come on early, in 60 to 90 days; others are ready at midseason, in 90 to 110 days; and still others are late maturing, coming on in 110 to 135 days. Later varieties generally make the best storage crops, and most fingerling types fit between the mid- and late-season types.

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