Potatoes are a staple in most home gardens and in general, they are very easy to grow for even the most novice of gardeners. If you’re looking to try your hand at growing your own potatoes this summer, here are a few tips to get you started!

Quality Matters

You can plant potatoes using leftovers from store bought potatos but you will find that choosing a high quality seed potato that is suitable to your local climate will usually give you better results.

Location, Location

Potatoes are a cool weather crop and prefer a growing temperurature around 64-68 degrees. In cooler climates, plant in full sun for extra warmth. In warmer climates, potatos may do better in a more shaded spot.

Potatoes can be a space consuming plant but if you’d like to grow potatoes with limited space, a potato grow bag is a fantastic option, allowing you to grow potatoes wherever you have a little extra space – on your deck, balcony, etc.

Keep Tubers Covered

Tubers exposed to sunlight while growing may form a green skin. To prevent this, keep tubers fully covered and mulch heavily to prevent sunlight from getting threw!

Watch Out!

The biggest issues with potatoes are overwatering, disease and insects. Overwatering, especially early on, can cause the seed potatoes to rot. A consistant water level of about 1-2 inches/week is best.

Potatoes can be at risk to a variety of insects and diseases. A great way to reduce this risk is with companion planting. Fortunately, there is a wide selection of vegetables, herbs and even flowers that can help project your potato crops! For more information on companion planting, including 30 plants that help and 8 you should avoid, check out this fantastic article by Rural Sprout!

Rotate Your Crops

To keep soil healthy, you should not plant potatoes in the same spot repeatedly. Instead, rotate potatoes through-out your garden on a 3 year schedule, planting non-Solanaceae crops in between.

If you’re using a grow bag, replace the soil between each planting to ensure your potatoes get fresh, nutrient rich soil each year.

Keep Them Longer

You can start harvesting potatoes as soon as the plant finishes blooming but if you’re growing potatoes to store for future use, give them plenty of time to mature. Once harvested, cure potatoes and store in a dark, cool area in a box or bin that allows for some ventilation.

The two-tone finish on this rustic picnic table inspired me to create a backyard oasis inspired by afternoons spent at the beach. A color palette that combines a mix of ocean-inspired blues with bright, sunny yellows is complimented with vintage details and rustic, drift-wood inspired wooden finishes.

If you’ve ever watched one of my design segments on the Marc & Mandy Show, you’ll know that I love mixing and matching dinnerware to add more visual depth and interest to a tablescape. This outdoor place set, which is available in 4 different colors, is the perfect way to do just that! I added in a wood-look tray and rustic wood and steel candle holders to bring that natural, vintage feel to the tablescape. A simple macrame style drink coaster at each place setting is the perfect finishing touch to add a it of textured detail.

A pretty printed outdoor rug elevates the space, giving it a touch of elegance while a few throw pillows in a soft knit add texture and create an inviting, cozy feel to the space. To finish the look, a vintage style steel bucket is the perfect place to display a selection of beverage on ice!

Expanded From: Canadian Home Trends Magazine Cottage & Outdoor Living Special Edition 2021!

After a year of self-isolation and travel restrictions, we understand more then ever the importance of creating space in our own homes and yards where we can escape and unwind! For this design concept, I wanted to embrace the idea of creating an outdoor space that is just as lovely as your indoor spaces and bring in exotic touches that will transport you to other parts of the world!

The starting point for this design board was the picnic table and rug. The Summerwood table and benches are a modern take on the traditional picnic table and offer a stylish look that could just as easily sit in your dining room! The Persian style rug caught my eye because it offers bold colors and traditional elegance but in an outdoor rug!

Textiles with plenty of texture are important in creating this exotic oasis. Pillows with plush detailing combine with a bold red throw pillow to create a bold statement that looks and feels cozy and inviting. Of course, I couldn’t resist taking it a step further with a gorgeous bohemian style hammock that makes me think of lazy summer afternoons at the cottage spent reading a good book while swaying softly in the breeze!

Additional accessories shown: Outdoor Dinnerware, Crate & Barrel; Outdoor Lantern, Giant Tiger; Bar Cart, Pottery Barn

Expanded From: Canadian Home Trends Magazine Cottage & Outdoor Living Special Edition 2021!