Farm fresh produce is the best tasting produce you will ever have. Cultivation during hilling controls weeds between the potato rows; hand pulling can eliminate the remaining weeds. Each year in late summer Mark and Gloria Goughan open their... Information on Maine specialty food, farm stands, Christmas tree cutting, pick-your-own farms, farmer's markets and agricultural fairs. How long does it take to grow potatoes? While the amount of potatoes produced a year varies, Hart said the farm has storage for 25 million pounds, and also sells out of its fields. Maine sources for seed potatoes: Here in Maine we have a lot of mail order sources to turn to for our seed potatoes: Fedco’s Moose Tubers, Johnny’s Selected Seeds, Maine Potato Lady, Wood Prairie Farm, and Pinetree Garden Seeds to name a few. U.S. potato utilization for chips and shoestring 2001-2019; U.S. potato utilization for frozen French fries 2001-2019; Potato production area distribution in Sweden 2015, by county “Pipping” or “green sprouting” can be used to encourage early production. Less energy will be used to heal the cut surfaces, making more energy available for growth. No endorsement of products or companies is intended, nor is criticism of unnamed products or companies implied. Potatoes can be planted earlier on lighter, better-drained soils as these soils dry out and warm up earlier. Potato seed pieces should be blocky, must have at least one “eye,” and should weigh between 1 3/4 ounces and 2 1/4 ounces. From our Maine farm we grow and sell many popular Organic Seed potatoes such as Yukon Gold, Caribe’, Reddale, and Adirondack Blue. A soil test will tell you whether to use fertilizer and, if so, how much. However, in the year 2000, Maine grew 63,000 acres of potatoes and nearly 90 percent of that was in Aroostook County. PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) — Potato farmers are worried about their crops as the northern part of the state experiences one of the driest summers on record. Potatoes and Maine have a long tradition together. Home Garden Thyme Blog Themes Flowers > > > Veggies > > > > > > > > > > > > > Herbs Gardening Basics > Birds > Fiddleheads and Fairies About Us Contact Us How to Marinate Roasted Vegetables Types of Tomatoes. He said they want to continue raising good quality potatoes rather than increasing the quantity. This is best done in the fall, but can also be done in the spring before planting. Bryan Bell, of Bell Brothers, has no plans to expand the farming operation. A soil test will tell you how much lime to add. But if you’re using a garden tiller, be careful you don’t damage potato roots and stolons. The dry weather in northern Maine also stretches into New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, two potato-growing Canadian provinces. Ideal storage conditions would be 38 degrees F with 95 percent humidity. Late blight from an infected garden can spread spores and affect commercial potato production miles away. Warm the seed pieces to room temperature the last two weeks before planting. Most grocery stores and farmers’ markets will have these seven basic types of county-grown Maine potatoes: Russet type potatoes have brown netted skin and white flesh. If you do a good job controlling insects and diseases, you’ll improve potato yields, and also protect Maine’s commercial potato industry. They are probably treated to not sprout. Potatoes need 15-20 weeks before they are ready to harvest, so you can calculate the last possible planting date if you know the typical temperatures in your area. The ideal condition to green sprout potatoes is 70 degrees F with high humidity. Oct 14, 2015 - The World of Maine Potatoes. The Maine Potato industry prides itself on producing a high-quality product, whether that product is potatoes destined for your table, french fries, potato chips, or other processed potatoes. The number of acres of farm land devoted to potatoes has decreased in recent years because of rotational crops, conservation and fewer farmers. Information in this publication is provided purely for educational purposes. Events and activities include an arts & crafts fair, Potato Feast Supper, potato pancake breakfast, and potato games. Don’t use seed smaller that one inch in diameter. Ideally, fertilizer should be placed in two “bands,” each band two inches to the side of the planting and one inch below the seed piece. In Mapleton, Maine, Darren Chandler is … Seed can be freshly cut and planted into soil. Potatoes do well at a pH near 6.0; they require calcium for adequate plant health and tuber-specific gravity. Potatoes planted earlier in colder temperature soils may emerge a little earlier, but if they sit in cold, wet soil they’re susceptible to decay. Lime will also raise the pH of soil. Do not use potatoes purchased at the grocery store for seed pieces. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Sarah E. Harebo, Director of Equal Opportunity, 101 North Stevens Hall, University of Maine, Orono, ME  04469-5754, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System). This year, Idaho growers harvested 322,000 acres of potatoes with an average yield of 405 cwt* and a little over one third of the fall potato crop in the USA, while Maine harvested 50,500 acres at 320 cwt per acre. Soils that are poorly drained tend to produce poorly shaped potatoes and tuber rot. Nearly 90% of potatoes are planted in the spring after the final frost of the season and harvested in the fall. The state’s potatoes sold for about 40 cents per cwt., much lower than Maine’s 62 cents. However, potatoes will grow in many types of soils. Green Thumb Farms grows potatoes, as well as beans and corn on 2,500 acres. If your area gets hotter than 95, plant your potatoes so they have long enough to mature before the heat hits. The healed seed pieces can then be held at low temperatures until planting. Nearly 25 percent of Maine’s potato production is for seed to supply the east coast. The fewer cut surfaces the better. Later in the season Houlton serves host to Potato Feast Days, an annual fair held each autumn. Ten pounds of seed will plant about 50 feet of row at eight-inch spacing and about 80 feet of row at 12-inch spacing. These are available at garden centers and should be applied at seven-day intervals, or as directed on the label. With the significant contributions that the potato has made on our history and economic prosperity, is it any wonder that we still celebrate the potato each year with some of our best festivals? This will help the cut surfaces to heal. Over time the potatoes grown have also shifted away from table stock and into specialty markets. It tends to encourage scab development. Use a tool that can lift the potatoes out of the soil without damaging them. Green sprouting will produce short stubby (less than 1 inch) sprouts that emerge quickly and set tubers early. You may wish to consider potato varieties with some late blight resistance, such as “Kennebec.”. Any jagged or torn surfaces will invite seed-piece rot. If you don’t have a current soil test, you might apply a balanced fertilizer (for instance, 10-10-10) at a rate of about 30 pounds per 1,000 square feet, or about one pound per every 10 feet of row. According to the US Department of Agriculture, there are approximately 25,000 varieties of tomatoes worldwide. The Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum Potatoes can be planted very early in the season -- almost as soon as the frost is out of the ground and you're able to work the soil. Of the 255 potato farmers in Maine, 90 percent of the state’s potato crop comes from Aroostook County. Sweet potato slips should be planted in warm (65˚) soil as soon as possible after you receive your order. Get the harvested potatoes out of the light to avoid greening. Prepared by Steven B. Johnson, Ph.D., Extension Crops Specialist. Potatoes are traditionally grown from seed pieces. Early weed control is essential for good potato yields. Events include the popular Potato Queen pageants, a float parade, agricultural equipment, fireworks, bands and more. Potatoes can be grown in all parts of Maine in home gardens, but they need more attention and care than most vegetables. Maine Potatoes are Fresh, Sustainable, Delicious, and Nutritious! Soils that are poorly drained tend to produce poorly shaped potatoes and tuber rot. Maine Potato History In the 1700’s Irish farmers began planting potatoes in Maine’s rich soils. The Maine Potato Board. These soils respond well to irrigation. Tilling will help control weeds between the potato rows. The Southern Aroostook Agricultural Museum, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Prepare the Soil: Carrots require deep, loose soil for their roots to grow.If planted in shallow or rocky soil, roots bend and … This can be done on a floor indoors or out, as long as the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing. The potato is northern Maine’s primary agricultural product and in the 1940s Maine’s potato production was tops in the nation. Simply form a mound above the potato row. According to a 2012 utilization survey, 68% of the potato acreage is dedicated to processing, 20% to seed and 12% to tablestock. These soils respond well to irrigation. The Queen Anne has a smooth, thin bright yellow skin that's resistant to bruising, and is oblong rather than round. Temperatures have dropped, and there has frequently been a frost. For information about UMaine Extension programs and resources, visit extension.umaine.edu. Our free planting guide calculates the best dates for sowing seeds indoors and outdoors, and for transplanting seedlings to the garden—all customized to your … Kennebecs are superb boiled, mashed, fried, hashed or baked! There are insecticide/fungicide combination products that will control both these insects and foliar diseases. Enjoy the wonderful events and allow yourself to be consumed by the amazing views of hundred acre fields covered with millions of beautiful flowers. It is even better if you pick it yourself you know exactly where it comes... Getting lost in a maze can be as much fun a family can have in a field of corn. There are insecticides and fungicides that are approved for organic production. These soils will produce more uniformly shaped potatoes but have a tendency to dry out if there isn’t a lot of rain. Potatoes are traditionally harvested at the end of the growing season. Yields vary, but most gardeners should expect between one and two pounds of potatoes per foot of row. Most gardeners plant the whole seed, tubers that are less than two inches in diameter and planted whole. These soils will produce more uniformly shaped potatoes but have a tendency to dry out if there isn’t a lot of rain. Plant 12-15” apart in rows 36” apart. Find the best dates for planting and transplanting vegetables and fruit! If larger seed is used, cut it into smaller pieces. Soils with pH levels at 7.0 are considered “neutral.” Soil with a pH level higher than 7.0 is considered alkaline. Water well for 7-10 days after planting to encour- age quick root growth. If your soil has a higher pH, chose a scab-resistant variety, such as “Russet Burbank.” Fertilizers work better at neutral (7.0) pH than a lower pH. Turn the potatoes over to encourage uniform sprouts. There's a reason we're obsessed with delicious Aroostook spuds - they taste great baked, mashed, fried, stuffed, boiled, scalloped, au gratin... we could go on and on. As soon as the soil warms up to 50 degrees F, potato seed can be planted. However, higher soil pH levels are more conducive to scab, a potato disease caused by a soil-borne pathogen. Light: Choose an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day.Hours of sunlight do not need to be consecutive, but they must add up to at least 6 hours. To learn more about the history of Agriculture in Aroostook Visit: Send queries to Gardening Questions, P.O. The Maine Potato Blossom Festival is one of Maine’s best known agricultural festivals. In the North, you can plant your first crop of early maturing potatoes in April, usually six to eight weeks before the last frost. Call 800.287.0274 (in Maine), or 207.581.3188, for information on publications and program offerings from University of Maine Cooperative Extension, or visit extension.umaine.edu. Lime and manure may be worked into the soil the prior fall. Maine: Vegetable Planting Calendar Planting vegetable seeds or transplants at the correct time is important for getting the most out of your garden. Potatoes do best in fertile, well-drained soils. Recent economic impact studies of the potato industry on Maine’s economy finds total sales in excess of $540,000,000 with total employment of 6,150 jobs and a total income greater than $233,500,000 annually. Potatoes do best in fertile, well-drained soils. Late blight and early blight are two potato diseases that are common in home gardens. Colorado potato beetles and aphids are common potato insect pests. Many farmers in the state grew potatoes in the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The fertilizer can cause rapid seed piece decay. For other gardeners, especially those in the South, the planting dates are quite different. Its high yields of large, white skin, white fleshed tubers grow well under harsh conditions. Select only intact and healthy potatoes for long-term storage. University of Maine, 5741 Libby Hall, Room 103, 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Bryant Pond, 4-H Camp & Learning Center at Greenland Point, 4-H Camp & Learning Centers at Tanglewood & Blueberry Cove, Insect Pests, Plant Diseases & Pesticide Safety, Affiliated Programs, Partners & Resources, Non-Discrimination Statement & Disability Resources, Register for Workshops, Classes, & Events. Maine has many acid soils. Here’s how to do it: Spread seed potatoes out in a single layer in an area exposed to light. It soon became evident that soil conditions, long warm days, and cool nights made it an excellent region for growing high quality potatoes. Buy certified seed from a reputable seed seller. As this is not always available, a cool damp basement usual does fairly well, as long as the floor isn’t prone to wetness. The measure of soil acidity is the pH. Seed spacing ranges from eight to 12 inches within the row and 30 to 36 inches between rows. Fields are covered with flowering potato plants on Sunday, July 19, 2020, near Fort Fairfield, Maine. However, potatoes will grow in many types of soils. Potatoes grown in gardens with low fertility may need fertilizer. In Mars Hill, Maine, a potato-growing family has been named Grand Champion Growers while raising only 300 acres. Manure is not recommended on potatoes. It coincides with and celebrates the arrival of blossoms on the season’s potato crop. Nowhere will you find higher quality Organic Certified Seed potatoes for planting in fields or gardens. The Maine Quality Trademark is your guarantee that the contents are only the highest quality. Planting Your Potatoes Seed potatoes are subject to decay when they are exposed to hot, dry Green Mountain: While it was named after the mountains of Vermont, this is the potato that made the state of Maine famous. Either way, avoid direct contact with the seed piece. Potatoes can be planted earlier on lighter, better-drained soils as these soils dry out and warm up earlier. Maine is one of the top 5 potato-growing states in the country, and it's our biggest cash crop. Store seed at 38 degrees F, and keep cool up to two weeks before planting. Once the plants are about six inches tall, they should be hilled. Maine is among the top 10 potato producing States in the US. Another option is broadcasting the fertilizer and mixing it into the soil. ... Of course, Pennsylvania is a long way from Maine. All cut surfaces should be smooth. Maine Potato Lady Potato and Garlic Fertilizer may be worked in 2 weeks prior to planting. Avoid storing diseased or damaged potatoes. Set plants out in the evening if the day is hot and sunny. You think of them as primarily for baking, but you can also enjoy them mashed or roasted. The top potato varieties grown in Maine (fall harvest 2016, by acreage) are: Russet Burbank (40.6%) Frito-Lay varieties (15.7%) Norland (5.1%) See more ideas about maine, potatoes, aroostook county. Planting calendars for places in Maine. Herbicides used in commercial potato production are not recommended for home gardens. By 1994 however, Maine had fallen to the eighth ranked potato producer and the seventh in the number of acres devoted to potato cultivation in the United States. How not to grow potatoes in a Maine garden by Reeser Manley May 6, 2011 May 6, 2011. If the tops have not died, pull them off or cut them off at least seven days before harvest. Soil with a pH lower than 7.0 is considered acid. Planting Dates For Potatoes By Zone No responsibility is assumed for any problems associated with the use of products or services mentioned. You can put fertilizer in the planting furrow and cover it with an inch of soil before planting the seed piece. This will start the potato sprouting. Of the two, late blight is the real threat. Find more of our publications and books at extensionpubs.umext.maine.edu. Maine Garden Ideas. It is truly breathtaking. Buying certified seed pieces assures varietal purity and a low level of diseases. 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