Planting Potatoes in Stanthorpe

Last weekend we drove out to Stanthorpe in southern Queensland, Australia, to visit my father-in-law and his wife to help in his garden. He hasn't been well lately, and has been ordered by the doctor to take it easy, right in time for spring planting! So, the first thing we set to doing is planting potatoes! This is a great lesson for us, as we hope to one day be able to grow our own. We also planted capsicums, tomatoes, zucchinis, beetroot and corn.

potatoes with two sprouts are cut in half to produce two plants

after the soil is prepared with fertiliser, the potatoes go in a row about 30cm part

First, we prepared the soil by digging furrows about 30-40cm apart. David used his grandfather's old hoe, its been used so much it has rounded edges when it had originally been square. Then the potatoes were prepared. Most potatoes had one shoot or bud on them, but the ones that had two could be cut in half to produce separate plants. These were placed in the furrows about 30cm apart with the sprout facing upwards. Then we gently collapsed the furrows onto the spuds. Pa Murphy says it take about a month and the sprouts will start to poke up through the soil. We hope to get ourselves back out there soon to see that for ourselves!

I planted a row of capsicums along the side of the greenhouse

we also planted different varieties of tomatoes, with sweet basil in between because they are the perfect companion

planting out beetroot seedlings about 30cm apart

I helped plant some extra zucchini seedlings in between a few plants already in the ground

While we were there we also helped plant capsicum sprouts, tomatoe and sweet basil sprouts, zuccinis and beetroot. We also moved some mushroom compost to an garden bed to prepare for corn. We had enough seed to plant 3 rows of corn, in pairs. The corn seed is planted in pairs so they support each other. I can't wait to sample some fresh corn picked right from the plant!

here is the soil prepared for corn

corn seeds go in pairs so they can support each other as they grow

On Saturday night Brian cooked the famous gramma pie, following a recipe handed down to him by his mother. He promised to make another one for us next time, as it was delicious, so I can take photos and share the recipe. It's kind of like an Australian version of American pumpkin pie, but not as sweet. Brian also gave us two tomato seedlings and some baby lettuce plants. Next month when we come back, he'll show me how to prune tomatoes and start training them up a trellis. I can't wait!