A reader inquires about methods to harvest potatoes earlier in the season to avoid the messy conditions caused by early snowfall. The expert recommends a traditional technique known as potato chitting or greening potatoes. This method involves placing seed potatoes in a single layer in a cool room (around 13°C) with bright but indirect light for two to four weeks before planting. The light stimulates the growth of green shoots, which indicates viability and provides natural protection against pests and fungi. Once the sprouts reach 38-50 mm, the potatoes are ready for planting. According to the Royal Horticultural Society, early cultivars benefit significantly from chitting, cropping earlier and more heavily.
Advantages of Chitting
Chitting not only promotes earlier harvests but also allows gardeners to identify non-viable potatoes, eliminating guesswork. The technique is particularly useful for early varieties, though later varieties also experience earlier foliage and maturity.
Fertilizer Recommendations
Another reader asks about suitable fertilizers for transplanting perennials, annual bedding plants, and container gardening. The expert advises that 10-52-10 is an excellent transplant fertilizer for both annuals and perennials. For general use, 20-20-20 all-purpose fertilizer is recommended, as it suits a wide range of plants. For flowering annuals, a fertilizer with a higher middle number, such as 15-30-15, is ideal. Slow-release fertilizers formulated for containers are also effective.
For further gardening advice, readers can email questions to filipskigerald@gmail.com, explore past columns, or refer to the book Just Ask Jerry. Follow on X (Twitter) @justaskjerry01.
