New Potatoes Call for New Potato Recipes

This one is a "do-againer"! Rich, complex flavors ... it's worth the extra effort!

I was looking for something special to do with my newly harvested potatoes. This recipe did not disappoint. I would give it 5 stars without hesitation. Delicious!

We ate by candlelight, on the screened-in-porch, with the smell of magnolia wafting about. Ahhh ... summertime in the south!

Roasted Lemon Chicken Thighs and Potatoes from fineCooking

Proof that these potatoes were grown with LOVE!

Digging Potatoes

The potatoes have been in the ground since March 6, plenty enough time to allow for mature tubers to develop underground. Plus, the plants are beginning to die back. Today's the day we dig for buried treasure!

We got quite a good haul this year ... nearly 60 pounds of potatoes, representing my best yields ever!

Here are the numbers:

Chieftain Red was the best overall producer, coming in at 22 pounds. Banana Fingerlings were not far behind at 18 pounds. We harvested 11 pounds of the gorgeous French Fingerlings and a disappointing 6 pounds of the Yukon Golds.

Of course, we found about 3 "potential" pounds of large Yukon Gold tubers that had been eaten up by shiny black millipedes and snail creatures. The entire inside of lovely potatoes, gone, turned into stinky, runny, mush. Eeewwww!

I sorted through all the potatoes, gently knocking off dirt, setting aside tubers exhibiting any sign of damage or the beginning of root growth. (Those potatoes would be destined for our dinner plates tonight) The rest are laid out on newspaper in the basement to cure for a few days before being boxed / bagged up for long term storage.

Heading into summer ...

The jade bush beans are ready to pick NOW and the pole beans will be mature next week. Several cucumbers coming off the vine today. Blueberries coming on strong.

New Potatoes

Last night we ate our first potatoes of the season... so creamy and delicious! The big one weighed in at 8-1/4 ounces. If these specimen are any indication, we're in line for our best-ever potato crop!

Hi kitty!

Blueberry Protection

The birds have been enjoying our blueberries a bit too much! I don't mind sharing a few, but they are quicker than we at picking the just-ripe berries. Last year was the first year we got next to NO blueberries. We don't want that to happen again. Our project this weekend was to take action.

First, we draped the bushes with bird netting. What a mess THAT was! I don't recommend it. We actually pulled off a lot of immature berries simply trying to get the thing in place. Plus, no easy way to pick! So, on to plan B... build a bird net cage around the blueberry bed.

Rouse the Spouse utilized pvc piping that we had on-hand, typically used to make the structures that support the fabric row covers that protect our crops over the winter months. Then, he wrapped it all in bird netting, being sure to make a gate at one end for access to pick. It looks good, and it works!

pvc piping good for lightweight framing

lovely how the sun shines off the netting

my happy problem solver

Shallot Harvest

laid out and drying in the shed