With potatoes, most of the varieties now grown as heirlooms were developed in the late 1800s as a response to the great potato blights of the early 19th century. The first half of that century saw many cultivated varieties of potatoes perish because they had little or no natural resistance to rampant diseases. In response to the loss of this important food crop, botanists traveled to South America in search of the original “wild” potato species. These rediscovered species with natural disease resistance became the breeding stock used to resurrect potatoes as a viable crop worldwide. These “new” potato varieties, developed from the mid- to late-1800s, are the genetic parents of nearly all modern potatoes. They’re favorites among today’s organic gardeners, who appreciate the connection to history. There’s something particularly special about harvesting the same crops that our great-grandparents enjoyed.
Working With Heirloom Potatoes
Heirloom potatoes are a taste of history—the cautious history that followed major catastrophes in the potato farming world—and worth the effort to cultivate for future generations. In order to grow heirloom potatoes successfully, you have to take special care to ensure growing conditions aren’t breeding pests and disease.
Keeping beetle grubs off plants is an early preventive measure. Diseases will be the bigger culprit, though, so make sure to not let them spread.Scab can be prevented in the seed stage by letting seed potatoes turn green in the sun—but only the seed potatoes. Never eat green potatoes.Well-drained soil is vital, as excess moisture can harbor disease, and it’s also important to plant varieties within the appropriate timeframe. Early potatoes need to be out by the time summer picks up, or the heat will invite problems.Remove diseased leaves and vines as soon as you spot trouble, and wash your hands after touching the diseased areas so you don’t spread it to the rest of the plant.
Here are 10 great heirloom potatoes you can grow in your vegetable garden. Native Area: South America USDA Growing Zones: 4–9 Height: 12–24 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: Andes mountains of South America USDA Growing Zones: 4–9 Height: 12–24 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: Mountains of Chile USDA Growing Zones: 4–9 Height: 12–24 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: South America USDA Growing Zones: 4–9 Height: 12–24 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: South America USDA Growing Zones: 4–9 Height: 12–24 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: South America USDA Growing Zones: 4–9 Height: 12–24 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: South America USDA Growing Zones: 3–9 Height: 12–24 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun ‘Bliss’ Triumph’ was released about 1878, as a cross between ‘Early Rose’ and ‘Peerless’ varieties. Native Area: South America USDA Growing Zones: 4–9 Height: 12–18 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun Native Area: South America USDA Growing Zones: 3–10 Height: 24–36 inches Sun Exposure: Full sun
