Masithuthu Garden

Masithuthu Garden Gardener Duties

Summer 2024

Tools of the Trade

You will need sunscreen, hat, long-sleeved shirt, and a water bottle.

We have some spade shovels, a couple of hoes, and a watering can or two.  We also have garden gloves.  But if you have a favourite shovel or other tools, feel free to bring it.

There is no need to be concerned about getting sprayed with water from the sprinklers either.  They come on during the very early morning hours.

1.  Weed the Beds

Weeds should be kept from growing in the rows and pathways.

As the plant grows, it is usually easier to distinguish between a plant and a weed.  

The potatoes have been planted in relatively straight rows, spaced 1 ruler (or 12 inches/30 cm) apart.  The hope is they will grow in a repeated pattern.  If it’s repetitive, it’s a probably a potato.  If it appears scattered (as in all over the place!), it's likely a weed.

How do I tell the difference? 

Look at the colour of the plant: potato plants are usually a darker green, as opposed to the paler or lighter shades of green.  Observe the shape of the leaves, and look at the extent of detail on the leaf (see photos on Garden in Action page).  

Then, you can do any of the following:

• Compare it to our actual photos already on this website...

• Leave it alone - and see what it grows into by your next visit...

• Leave it for the next person behind you…

• Ask another gardener for helpful advice...

• Take a picture and text me at 250-391-1280. I’ll respond right away.

The worst thing than can happen is that you have pulled a potato plant.  In the grand scheme of things, that is not a big deal.  Keep in mind that the Masithuthu Garden was planted by students from 3 to 13 years of age, some teachers and aides, and even other adults.  So we need to be ready to have more than a few anomalies.:)

   2.  Hilling, Hoeing, or Mounding

Stand over (or astride) the plant.  Using a hoe (or small trowel), pull some dirt from the centre of the pathway up to the base of the plant.  (It is ok to cover the bottom leaves of the potato plant.)  This adding of soil serves many functions.  First, it will support the stalks of the growing plant.  Secondly, it will make sure that any potatoes growing are covered with soil and protected from the sun.  If potatoes are left to grow in the direct sunlight, then the potato will get sunburned and turn green and taste bitter.  Thirdly, potatoes are like people - they take the path of least resistance.  Why grow down into the packed ground when there is looser, and easier soil up and out towards towards the surface?  By hilling the potato plant, we are also making sure that the worked, softer earth is located towards to top of the mound.

Check out these short videos (2-4 minutes each) for more information about hilling:

• How to Mound Potatoes:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFcRR-kiRgY

• Utah State University: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjOQpuy3m7o 

• HuwsNursery:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3QSyD200ZJY

Fall (September) 2021

3.  Harvesting Potatoes

Our potato plants have died and withered away.  In fact, the only plants that are green in our garden, besides the pumpkins and sunflowers, are the weeds.  

Starting from a 12" or a 30 cm ruler's distance from the base of the plants, carefully loosen the soil with a garden fork or a spade shovel.  Be gentle with the potatoes, trying very hard not to "skin" them.  Place any potatoes carefully in the bucket before taking them over to be weighed and collected at the garden entrance.  

Check out these short videos for info on how we harvest the potatoes, and ready them for storage and delivery to St. Vincent de Paul and The Soup Kitchen:

• Utah State University: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g0Cd8jH8t0

• Garden Answer:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKmsNBoEofE

• Stony Acres: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho7bKHqJsEk