Yesterday morning I felt industrious and built up the dirt around the potato plants; all 55 of them. Oh MY! I’ve never planted this many and thank goodness I LOVE TO CAN. I read that covering half of a 6″ tall potato plant helps it become stronger and gives the potatoes some looser soil to grow it. I’ll repeat this process again when the potatoes grow a bit taller. I did this last year and it worked well and made it easier to dig up the potatoes.
I used my favorite garden tool to pull the soil up from both sides, my metal leaf rake. I love the fact that it has a wide swath and with my sandy soil it is easy to use for raking the soil. It also picks up the loose dead pieces of Bermuda grass that are along the top of the soil.
The carrot seeds I planted have yet to make any sort of appearence. The package said “guaranteed to grow”, well we shall see; if not I’m sending for my money back. I paid over $3 for the package.
On another note your have to forgive the lack of post as of late. My father just had a new knee replacement last week and I’ve been busy working and going to the hospital…now going to Rehab. My Dad’s Dr announced him “amazing” after his heart valve surgery last Sept. and with this one he just shook his head and smiled. My Dad is 84 and a very active man. He will be helping me till the garden when he gets his strength back.
Later this week the planting signs will be right for above ground planting and I will be planting the corn and green beans.
By the way…Here’s a picture of my new toy.
A Craftsman Mini Tiller. I just LOVE it. Though it is a bit harder to handle than my Dad’s big one. I am sure with practice I will get better a handling it. Any suggestions?? Right now I can get it to skip along the top of the ground or dig in the soil about 4″ and then I have to pull it out. Slightly annoying.
arkansasfarmerette2012 
Be patient with the carrots, they are very slow to grow. As for the potatoes, keep them hilled up. Potatoes grow close to the surface, hiling keeps them covered. Last year, I planted 20 lbs pf seed potatoes and harvested 250 lbs!! I harvested them, dried them for 2 weeks them packed them in large Colemn type cooler with the drain spout left open. Stored at 50-55 degrees they store all winter. We are still eating potatoes we harvested last fall. Good luck with your harvest.
Thanks for the advice about the carrots. I will hang in there. That’s a neat idea using the Coleman type cooler for storage. I’ll have to try that.
I need to hill my potatoes sometime this week too. I can’t believe how big they are already. They are liking this Spring!