SoupAddict has been dreaming all summer about her potato crop. She planted German Butterball potatoes in a funky container, taking the chance that the thing’s product reviews were true. Each week, as the plants grew taller and taller, and lusher and lusher, she imagined how the dreary winter would be frequently brightened with these.
And at last, the day came when the plants had mostly pooped out and the container was ready to be harvested. And that day was tonight. Today, I mean. Well, it was night. So, tonight.
Like her garlic crop, SoupAddict wanted to share with you this momentous moment in photographs. (SoupAddict apologizes for the flash photography, which is not the best way to capture food, but, like she said, it’s night, and she was too excited to wait until tomorrow.)
So come along with SoupAddict as she takes a peek into this bowl. There’s a surprise inside.
Come closer. [Waves hand.] Come on!
It’s alright … come closer. Thaaaaaat’s right. Peek over the edge….
Taaa daaa!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
No, really, applause is not necessary.
I’m just a regular girl with a knack for gardening. You’re too kind, too kind. Yes, they are indeed lov….
Wait, where are you going?
Don’t back up. Stay close, stay close. Don’t … come back here with that camera … don’t … wait ….
Uh. Um.
Wait! I can explain!
It’s … um. They’re … um. You see, it’s like this.
[Okay, I really can’t explain.]
Remember this?
Potato famine, indeed
Don’t be jealous of SoupAddict’s potato-growing talent. It’s unbecoming.
Early fall in the garden | SoupAddict.com
Thursday 4th of October 2012
[...] are such a fun and mysterious crop to grow. Some years, I’ve barely had any to speak of. Others, too many to count. This year, it seems I bobbled the harvesting a bit — not digging [...]
Carolyn
Tuesday 15th of February 2011
I have recently found your site, and have enjoyed reading. I especially love this, about your um, mini-potatoes? My husband and I have tried growing a potato crop for the last 5 years, but have not had any luck. We had three full rows of potatoes this size last year, and I ended up canning them, just so not to waste them. We plant sweet potatoes too, and always have a great crop of them. Even with the drought last summer I still had enough to enjoy and give to my family.
SoupAddict
Wednesday 25th of August 2010
I'm thinking of starting a new culinary craze: pearl potatoes.
I don't know what happened. I found some dead grubs at the bottom of the container, so maybe the grubs killed the plants at the base, before that last burst of potato growth could occur. I pulled out one dead plant that had a dozen or so teeny tiny potatoes on its roots. I was literally expecting dozens of fist-sized potatoes from the 5 plants. Instead, I got a dozen, total, of the teeniest potatoes I've ever seen (the bowl in the picture is a small cereal bowl, made to seem larger by using my macro lens). [Sigh.]
I still have hopes for my sweet potatoes, whose ridiculously healthy and traveling vines have invaded one of the tomato gardens. I'm afraid to dig one up, though, only to find the same result.
Marcella, jasmine sounds lovely! Just be careful of the raspberry plants - they have thorns!
Phyllis Ryan
Wednesday 25th of August 2010
Just scrub them off, cut in half and saute in butter and olive oil. Then eat and enjoy. Nothing better than fresh new potatoes, no matter how small.
Margaret Shock
Wednesday 25th of August 2010
Gorgeous, beautiful, awesome to see, just one of the beautiies of nature and you raised it from a baby, that's got to feel fantastic. Life is so full of beautiful things that bring us joy especially when we create. Congrats on a wonderful job!
Margaret