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The Truth About Potatoes: Busting Myths with Potato Thai
Growing potatoes in the backyard can be filled with misconceptions and myths that lead to confusion among gardeners. In a recent discussion, gardening enthusiast Kevin, also known as Potato Kev, invited his personal potato mentor, Potato Thai, to share insights from his 104 years of family farming experience with potatoes in Vancouver. Together, they set out to debunk some of the most commonly held myths about potato cultivation.
Myth #1: Green Potatoes are Toxic
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One of the most debated topics is the safety of consuming green potatoes. Though a prevalent belief suggests that green potatoes can cause serious harm or even death, Potato Thai conducted an experiment by eating green potatoes for three consecutive days. Surprisingly, he survived to tell the tale, although he did discover that a reported 20 people have died from green potatoes in the past century. Thai explains that green potatoes contain chlorophyll, which signifies the presence of solanine—a potentially toxic compound present in higher concentrations when potatoes are exposed to light. However, the amount of solanine is so minimal that one would need to eat around 200 pounds of non-exposed green potatoes to face serious issues.
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On a commercial level, green potatoes cannot be sold and are repurposed as cow feed, ensuring no waste from farming. For home gardeners, if a potato turns green, peeling it and microwaving it can substantially lessen solanine levels, making it safe for consumption.
Myth #2: Plants Must Die for Proper Skin Set
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Another concern among gardeners is the skin set of potatoes—attributes crucial for long-term storage. Most believe that potato plants need to die before the skin sets properly. Thai and Kev argue otherwise: while it is beneficial to let the plant die back for a week or two for skin setting, it is not necessary, especially for those consuming potatoes fresh. For commercial farmers, mechanically cutting the tops of plants can hasten skin set by allowing energy to focus on skin development rather than plant growth, which is a practice that serves to optimize yields for storage.
Myth #3: Cutting Seed Potatoes Doubles Yield
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A common practice among backyard gardeners is cutting seed potatoes in half to increase yield. Potato Thai shares that, on a commercial level, they cut larger seed potatoes to avoid wastage and boost efficiency. While this practice may optimize output on a farm, the yield boost for home gardeners is not as significant. When comparing the yields from cut versus whole potatoes, the expected yield may only increase by about 50% rather than doubling, but it still optimizes the use of both seed and land.
Myth #4: Chitting is Necessary Before Planting
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Chitting, or allowing potatoes to sprout before planting, is often thought to be a necessity, but the duo points out that it depends on the gardener’s circumstances. For home gardeners, while allowing potatoes to sprout ahead of planting may yield quicker crops, it isn’t strictly necessary. In contrast, for commercial farms, sprouting helps prevent rot and increases the chance of a healthy crop.
Myth #5: Hilling is Required for Potato Plants
The practice of hilling—adding soil around potato plants—is more critical for commercial farms, especially in rain-rich areas like Vancouver, where unprotected potatoes can become green and rot. For home gardeners in drier areas, hilling is less essential, but it may be beneficial for certain high-yielding varieties.
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Can You Eat Sprouted or Raw Potatoes?
Potato Thai confirmed that sprouted potatoes can be consumed as long as the sprouts are removed, making them edible for those unwilling to waste a small harvest. On the other hand, can you eat potatoes raw? The duo decided to taste-test raw potatoes and found that while they could be consumed, they lacked taste and would not be the first choice in a culinary setting.
Conclusion: Keep Growing!
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As the conversation wrapped up, both Potato Kev and Potato Thai emphasized the importance of knowledge in growing potatoes effectively. While myths may abound in domestic gardening, understanding these core truths can help both home gardeners and commercial farmers optimize their potato crops. With an invitation to explore additional resources on potato growing, they encouraged all to keep nurturing their gardens and expanding their knowledge in agriculture.
With the right guidance and information, growing potatoes can be a rewarding and successful venture—something Potato Kev and Potato Thai aim to inspire in every budding gardener.