Marianne's Response

How to grow blue potatoes

I am growing blue potatoes for the first time. I added 14 inches of dirt when they were 16 inches tall. They have now grown 3 to 4 foot tops. I found small groups of taters coming off the vines on top of the ground. I assume these should be covered up. Do I use dirt or straw? I never had taters grow off the vines — is this normal?

Posted by clyde peters on June 24, 2015

Marianne's Response

Yes, your potatoes are doing well. Keep adding soil around the vines to cover up the potatoes as they form. This will keep the potatoes from turning green. If you do see any green skins on your potatoes that have been exposed to sunlight do not eat the skin as it is toxic. Blue potatoes are a fun veggie to grow - make sure you make up a batch of blue potato salad - perhaps with some red peppers for a 4th of July treat. Keep growing, Marianne Binetti .