Potatoes donated by Helmer’s Organic Potatoes in Pemberton were 48 chitted potatoes - 16 of each variety:
Warba - early season
Sieglinde - mid
Red Chief - mid to late
Selina, our Green Team Lead and Master Gardener, started the ‘eyes’ by placing the potato plants in egg cartons and leaving them in a cool dark place. Another option is to put them beside onions. A side note is that to avoid food waste, do not put onions and potatoes in the same bin or they will sprout ‘eyes’.
The potato patch was planted in the garden by the Brock Ecoliteracy Program participants with support from Art Bomke. Sharlene Singh, the SPEC School Gardens Program Coordinator tells us, “What a beautiful day! We were able to finish planting the potato bed! The students had a fun time engaging with Art. Students were fascinated by the eyes and the chitting process and also had no idea that potatoes don't originate from Canada.” Do you know the origins of potatoes in Canada?
We look forward to harvesting the potatoes. Thank you Helmers Organic Potatoes. Be sure to visit their farm stand when we are allowed to travel and support them at the winter Riley Park Farmers Market.
