Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
My oldest son digging potatoes last year. The joy of harvesting potatoes becomes a family affair.
Potatoes share pests with tomatoes and peppers as well as having pests unique to them. Watch out
for slugs and wireworms, which attack the tubers themselves. Mineral deficiencies affect the foliage
and thus the total plant production. Other diseases that affect potatoes are viruses, nematodes, and
scab. Excess lime will cause scab, but starting with certified seed stock will help minimize other
diseases.
All Blue.
A midseason potato with blue skin that holds color when cooked. Medium-sized potatoes
mature in about 80 days.
Kennebec.
A late-season, white-fleshed potato that is highly useful in the kitchen. Kennebec is a
great winter keeper that resists viruses.
Russian Banana.
An unusual Russian heirloom potato matures to a small, tender fingerling
potato. The yellow skin and yellow flesh potato is highly flavorful and stores well during the
winter.
Summer Squash (
Cucurbita sp.
)
Yellow crooked neck squash and zucchini are just two types of summer squash we make a regular
part of our summer garden. Summer squash is picked when the fruit is still immature so the skin is
thin and edible. Summer squash varieties don't store well like winter squash, so they are eaten fresh
when harvested or stored via canning and freezing.
