Digging Potatoes and Onions - Growing a Vegetable Garden

[wayne290]

Molly stole a potato! Little thief. Dock her pay! HaHa!

[webcajun]

@wayne290 ... I put her in the dog house......Donald

[Cajunize]

Love your Vids. They make me miss my childhood, born and raised in Beauregard Parish on a 21 acre farm, we had it all, cows, pigs, chickens, rabbits,raised a large garden,baled hay and dug lots of potatoes. Its all gone, been 30 years. I just aquired 6 acres in Beauregard Par.pretty much over run with brush and trees, it needs lots of work. My dad made a potatoe digger using the edge of a middle buster and some small tubes. Look on youtube, they work great, potatoes or left on top of the ground

[webcajun]

@Cajunize ... Glad you got yourself a piece of land. Now you can fix it up the way you like it. It's nice when you can build your own equipment to make things easier........Donald

[GardenNewbie]

Howw do they manage to chop so many onions without stopping to keep from crying!? lol... i would think that'd be awful stingy on the eyes?

[webcajun]

@GardenNewbie ... No tears when chopping them up fresh out the garden.....Donald

[GardenNewbie]

OMG thats hilarious!!! Cant believe i just watched a dog stealing a potato and better yet eat it!!! hhahahaha priceless!

[webcajun]

@GardenNewbie ... Would steal em while planting too......Donald

[501video501]

i would really like to know how to till extremely rocky ground that you can barely get a shovel in any advide is extremely helpful

[webcajun]

@501video501 ... Can't help you there, we don't have any rocks in our soil......Donald

[501video501]

lol the dog stole a potato

[10ga]

Donald, just curious how you store your potatoes long term? Always enjoy your videos. Thanks and God Bless from east Tennessee.

[webcajun]

@10ga ...Since we can't have cellars here in Louisiana I have to store them in crates in the utility room. They don’t last long. This year I started canning them which should solve that problem……Donald

[usifasaeed]

Watching these on a Saturday night! nothing better than this. Donald; you never knew your videos would reach New Zealand did you! Cheers

[webcajun]

@usifasaeed ...If you've have said someone in New Zealand would be watching my videos 3 years ago I'd of said you're nuts. LOL......Donald

[SouthernGardner]

Where do u get the buckets and how much

[webcajun]

@SouthernGardner ...The buckets were given to me by a good friend in Texas.......Donald

[bighomie229]

hey mr donald where do you get the sacke for the patatoes im in south georgia valdosta to be exact

[webcajun]

@bighomie229 ...They are very common around here cause we also use them for Crawfish. I get em local.......Donald

[wvfarmerrich]

We usually bush hog the tops off the potatoes before we dig them. Don't know if it's better, just the way we've always done it. Anyway thanks for the great videos!

[webcajun]

@wvfarmerrich ...Thanks for the tip......Donald

[231MasseyFerguson]

Ok, how do you know when the potatoes are ready to harvest?? The plants on one of my potato rows are turning yellow. The other row of plants, which is next to the row that's turning yellow, are still pretty and green but i don't think they're blossoming anymore. Thanks!

[webcajun]

@231MasseyFerguson ...When the tops die it's time to dig.......Donald

[231MasseyFerguson]

@webcajun Ok thanks! Looks like I'm fixing to dig potatoes for the first time then!... 2 more questions... How deep do I set the middlebuster to dig the potatoes, and what can I plant on the row once I harvest them (for this time of year in South LA)??

[Steelchamp060]

Hey Don here

If you decide to sell your land, give me a call haha. I love you vids, good info and simple. Keep it up bud.

[webcajun]

@Steelchamp060 ...There is a piece right next door that I'm sure for the right price they would sell. LOL.....Donald

[DippinSonOfALee1865]

This is a great help. I wish I had more land though. I'm growing onions and I was going to throw the leaves away but I'm going to use them as chives for baked potatoes and shrimp. Thanks webcajun. Keep the videos coming.

[webcajun]

@DippinSonOfALee1865 ... You're welcome, glad you enjoy the videos.....Donald

[budmike81]

do you grow boudin balls on your garden? lol

[webcajun]

@budmike81 ... can't find the seeds. lol.......Donald

[geekyboy2009]

whats was your biggest potato your ever got from your garden

[webcajun]

@geekyboy2009 ... I plant Red Lasoda and most are average size. I can't remember harvesting any huge ones. I think Yucon Gold would be somewhat larger.........Donald

[shadowhog777]

webcajun, thishas nothing to do with onions but, my pepper plants and tomatoes keep getting these white powdery-looking bugs under their leaves, as well as this black , fungus-like coloration on their leaves, similar to what citrus trees get. I am also getting a lot of leaf miners immediately, as soon as the leaves on my sprouts come up. I live down here in miami FL where there is a lot of rain and humidity, I thought maybe that has something o do?? I dunno, plz help. Thanks in advance-Alex

[webcajun]

@shadowhog777 ... Hey Alex, get in touch with your county agent and get him to come out and take a look. He can recommend sprays that should help control the insects and fungus. I usually use liquid Sevin for the bugs........Donald

[malhori]

@shadowhog777 I've not got much of a green thumb, but heard that you can mix a little bit of liquid dish soap in with the water when watering your lawn, and it gives the bugs diarrhoea, which ends up drying them out so they die from dehydration... a cheap, easy solution if it can be done in a food garden too, but best find out whether you can, or not, from a nearby garden nursery; they'd better know the local bugs & plants where you are.

[AsphaltCowboy57]

It sounds like I hear Purple Martins in the background. Did you have a nice colony this year.

Maybe you should think about making a video on starting martins. I put a few gourds up here in south Georgia with pair occupying every gourd. More people should take part in activities such as you do and connect with nature.

Keep up the good work!

[webcajun]

@AsphaltCowboy57 ... my neighbors have martin houses. I have a few blue bird houses around the place but none for the martins.........Donald

[palmerballer1]

do you sell your produce?

[webcajun]

@palmerballer1 ... I sell enough to help pay expenses...... Donald

[Jerrid3]

Do you keep any fresh onions on hand? Does freezing them taste just as good fresh or does it lose any flavor?

[webcajun]

@Jerrid3 ... yes we do keep fresh onions for a couple of months after harvest. I won't say the frozen onions taste like "fresh out the garden" but they are good. Give it a try....... Donald

[96racerking]

what do u do with the green part of the onion?

[webcajun]

@96racerking ... it goes in the compost pile. The green tops you saw being cut were green onions and will be used to season food........ Donald

[Burpeeseed]

Was the name of the onion called Candy?

[webcajun]

@Burpeeseed ... yes it is....... Donald

[Heretharbemonsters]

Now that I see how sneaky your dog is I understand the camo covered buckets.

[webcajun]

@Heretharbemonsters ... those camo buckets were sent to me by a friend from TX, Fulton. Said he was tired of seeing me carry stuff in my shirt or pockets when harvesting. Said I needed to look more professional. LOL I use them all the time....... Donald

[DERAJ13]

how long do potatoes keep for? any special method to store them? onions too. thanks (subscribed)!

[webcajun]

@DERAJ13 that depends on the variety for both potatoes and onions. That ranges from 1 - 3 months on average. If you chop and freeze your onions they will last well over 6 months. Potatoes can be canned and they'll last a year or more........ Donald

[dkim68]

Great video! About how deep do the roots of potato plants grow?

[webcajun]

I've never dug one up to see......... Donald

[park3366]

Can I grow onions indoors or outdoors using containers?

[webcajun]

You sure can......... Donald

[565Customz]

why do you cut up the onions? i dry em for a couple days and freeze em with out even cutting the stem. they keep nice in a 0 degree freezer

[webcajun]

We use mostly cut onions so when we need some just reach in the bag and get a hand full.......... Donald

[meetman3]

Were you going to freeze those bags of onions?

[webcajun]

I sure do........ Donald

[jimkleager]

Hi Donald, happy holidays to you and your family. I don't have the middle buster so I tryed a 2 bottem plow, my results weren't even close to yours. Nice potatos and onions. I haven't looked at all your videos, do you have laying hens on your place? I bet those dogs would like eggs. Jim

[webcajun]

I think a middle buster will go deeper than a bottom plow. No chickens yet.............. Donald

[jekyllisland7]

what is the attachment you have on your tractor?

[webcajun]

That's a Middle Buster........ Donald

[jklcksmth1991bo]

when should i start planting my oninos and potatoes, i live in western ky........is there a way to start them indoors?

[webcajun]

Here in Louisiana ... I have my onion seed planted and about 2 inches tall. They just went through a snow which didn't appear to hurt them. Potatoes here are planted in January. Potatoes need to be planted directly into the garden. Onions can be started in containers, indoors with plenty sun light.......... Donald

[merock654]

yes there is just make sure the groud is warm

[joyedwards100]

watch out Doland, theres a black devil quietly robbing your potatoes, LOL

[webcajun]

At least she only got one this time........ Donald

[joyedwards100]

Molly is smart, I like that part

[amiraprod525]

Donald, when should I start onions from seed? I have a lot of onion seeds and compost. I live in Atlanta. We do get frost here. Should I start them indoors now or wait until next year?

[webcajun]

I'm in Zone 8 and planted my seeds (directly into the garden) a couple of days ago. They will be ready to transplant around February......... Donald

[wenjolas]

Just a thought...Would a herb roller speed up cutting up your green onions?

Thank you for all the great vids!

[webcajun]

Never used one so I'm not sure. Thanks........ Donald

[hottlimited]

You have a pretty nice operation there. Very nice,I wish my garden was that nice.

[webcajun]

It can be ... just takes time....... Donald

[27simber]

thats lovely!! the little sweety girl doing some work as well tell her she is doing a good job done.i live in south australia the people over here dont do veg. pach, but i do i planting lots this year at this time it is bit cold but warming up to summer so thats cool. so how do you make your compast tea my friend?

[webcajun]

That was my grand daughter in the vid. She is a good helper when they come visit.

Compost Tea ... I mix in a gal. of worm castings to about 15 gals. of water. Run an air pump with air stones in the tank and let brew for 24 hours. That's all there is to it. Just started using it this year so not exactly sure just how well it works yet. Will be doing some experimenting with it this fall and next year........ Donald

[angeleyes1198]

That was a great yeild. Do you use pesticides or organic pesticides?

[webcajun]

I'm not organic and use Sevin to control insects when I have to....... Donald

[angeleyes1198]

Looks like Molly got the first picking out of the yeild!! lol

[webcajun]

Yes and she enjoyed every bite. LOL ...... Donald

[slacker361]

did you freeze those onions?

[webcajun]

Sure did. They'll last a long time in the freezer......... Donald

[rjtengkano]

Just wondering.. they all say farmers are living in substandard lives, they're poor, etc. your videos show that youre far from it. are you farming for commercial purposes or just to be self sufficient for your own family? I'm trying to get out of town as well an have my own farm that can sustain itself and my family. how much land do i need?

[webcajun]

I garden mostly to be self sufficient but do sell some of my vegetables to help pay expenses. How much land depends on just what you want to do. I have 7 acres and could raise all our vegetables, meat and eggs. Feeding your livestock would be a big expense if you had to buy all your feed. Best to have enough land to grow most of that as well. It would take more than 7 acres IMHO......... Donald

[collegestudentmateo]

so how do you know when to dig. We've got potatoes and oinions in our garden but I'm not sure when they're ready. the potato vines are starting to yellow. Should I wait untill they completely die away?

[webcajun]

You could wait till they dry out (potatoes) but I would check a few and see if they're not ready now. Try digging a few onions as well........ Donald

[dogsouth]

"Wasnt the best year but we still did OK...."

Wha? I'm not buying that.

[webcajun]

Much too wet in the spring and too hot and dry in June.......... Donald

[GrenadeChick99]

Molly needs a spud!

[webcajun]

She was sneaky...... Donald

[buzzthe]

Got the family involved on this one I see. Great job!!! Enjoy watching these.

[webcajun]

The help was very much appreciated. Thanks........ Donald

[webcajun]

That chop wizard makes processing a lot easier. Glad you enjoyed........  Donald

[tabitie]

I use the same plastic dishpans and same chop wizard! But in everything else you guys are better. Great video, lots of atmosphere! Keep 'em coming.

[oryrk]

hey i need one of them tractors LOL can you come til and harvest my garden hehehe... love the videos very thorough ty for a wonderful video

[webcajun]

A tractor makes a large garden possible, makes it a lot easier and fun too. Harvesting is when the work really starts........ Donald

[Hamish121212]

I love the way you use your equipment to make jobs simpler. Love your videos :)

[webcajun]

Having the right tools does make it easier. Glad you enjoyed .........  Donald

[THESPOCK]

I see you're chopping and saving the greens. What do you use them for? Are they still good after they've matured to the harvest age?

[webcajun]

The green tops she was chopping were grean onion tops and not from the onion harvest. Different plants. Guess I should have pointed that out in the video. Sorry ....... Donald

[webcajun]

"Green Onion Tops"

[jeffharnden]

Molly took a potatoe.

I saw.

She didn't think anyone was looking

Ozzie ate apples and got everyone else hooked on them.

u guys r the greatest!

[webcajun]

She's a sly old dog........... Donald

[amiraprod525]

Oscar would always take the ripest tomatoes off of my vines. He used to wait until they fell off, but then he started noticing when they were ripe. lol

[mark28map]

Donald you made me cringe watching you use that little knife on the onions with all those hands moving around the chopping board. lol. Do you freeze those and if so what kind of shelf life do you get? thanks.

[mark28map]

answered my own question. Just found your video on curing onions.

[kokonutbaby1]

Its good u have all that family help..mine are too lazy to do all that, lol..they would want me to bag it up and deliver it to them, hahaha, plus they like to eat out nearly every meal and hardly cook...tough times will be hitting them soon doing that, tho.

[webcajun]

It doesn't happen nearly often enough around here. Wish they could be around all the time....... Donald

[Xristian9plus]

Molly is such a thief. lol

[webcajun]

Noticed how she waited for me to get a little ways down the row. Smarter than that knot head Lucy......... Donald

[MyLittleGreenThumb]

What are the contraptions the ladies are using to chop the onions, looks like something I could use?

[webcajun]

Vidalia Chop Wizards. Works real well.........  Donald

[MyLittleGreenThumb]

LMAO.....sneaky pup! My dog eats squash outta my garden, thought he was the only dog who enjoyed fresh veggies but I was wrong.

[webcajun]

Both Molly and Lucy like potatoes and sometimes a tomato too........ Donald

[hairy440]

Thanks for the video. Please show us how to store the potatoes for winter. thanks

[webcajun]

These potatoes will all be gone by winter. I do plan on planting another crop in August.  I would just store them in the sack at room temp.......... Donald

[Wizechris1]

why did your dog steal a potato? lol...

Shame on you donald putting the female cajuns to work.. SHame.. Good crop tho, your family really needs the 15 bags of cut onions and over 100 pounds of potatoes?

[webcajun]

I use about a bag of onions a month so it's really not enough, have 3 families to supply. Son uses more than that.  Some of the potatoes will be canned for the winter and some to plant in August........... Donald

[LEEBLANTYRE]

do you sell your veg,or is it for home use??,hows the corn doing?,great video donald,

[webcajun]

Once we put up enough for the family I'll start giving some and selling some. Works out well and helps pay some of the expenses........... Donald

[Coldheart3000007]

!nooo!... your cutting the onions too deep, and your making too much waste..." well that's what my mom would say if she saw you cutting those onions that way... after learning that you spent all that time caring for them in your garden, hehe...

[webcajun]

Your mom would be right. But....after fooling with so many of these things you kind of get careless and just want to finish. LOL ........ Donald

[deeljonathan]

Where those the onions you started from seed ?

[webcajun]

Sure was.  Will be starting some more this September........ Donald

[mrjlsmith01]

Hey were is the Star of the show.. Big Donald ?

Another fine video just miss the star.. LOL I guess you were hiding behind the camera this time.

[webcajun]

Yes I was behind the camera most of the time. That was me doing the cutting though. I keep telling them how much work it is holding the camera while they harvest but they're not buying it. LOL ....... Donald

[tinafisher]

Great video, love your videos so much. What a precious family to help you, please send them my regards as a faithful viewer. I bought that chopper due to your recommendation, I use it a lot. You should get % of sales!!!! Dogs are entertaining, my dog eats sweet peas, then throws them up, weird... Here in Mich. we have a long way to go before potatoes and onions are ready for harvest. I only planted a few dozen, first garden in 15 years, and first potatoes ever.

Keep the videos coming.

[webcajun]

Today those two dogs were eating watermelon. Hope your garden does well and thanks for the kind words....... Donald

[webcajun]

Only 3 freezers. LOL ........... Donald

[scottjobey]

How many freezers do you have? ; ) Sure wish I could find a chop wizzard up here in Canada. Thanks for all your vids.

[mywootgarden]

thanks for sharing:) glad to see the fam hard at work! congrats on the bountaful harvest :D

[webcajun]

Lots of work but it pays off in the end........ Donald

[sunfood333]

I yelled out thats Lucy. I was wrong. Crazy dogs and awesome videos Big D. Peace and best wishes to the family.

[webcajun]

Thanks Buddy. Yeah Molly is the smart one of the two, she waited until the potatoes got bigger........ Donald

[SasyBecause]

Donald looks like the ladies are little faster with the choppers!!!!!

[webcajun]

Yes they kept me busy........ Donald

[cheesestr4wz]

Precious family!

Molly & Lucy too! Sooo Cute !

I didn't see ya'll crying, so I guess those were Vidalia Onions! LOL Sending Greetings from Georgia!

[webcajun]

Actually this variety is "Candy". If you chop them right out of the garden, no tears. Glad you enjoyed........ Donald

[1DRock37167]

LOL @ Molly stealing taters!

My mama has one of those choppers and she just loves it to death!  It saved us tons of time putting stuff in the freezer last season.

[webcajun]

Yes... those choppers do come in handy.......  Donald

[KARStarla]

lol Molly snagged a potatoe! I have a couple black labs and mine steal the cucumbers! Reminded me of my little thieves lol

I cant garden with a bad back but I sure love watching others do what I cant, but I cant help getting envious of other folks doing it, great vid!

[webcajun]

I have a bad back myself which is why I use the golf cart so much......... Donald

[paintball227]

how long were your potatoes in the ground for

[webcajun]

These last ones were in the ground over 4 months........... Donald

[bcdoula]

Nice harvest! just a question....did you freeze your onions? How do you find the quality of them is once they thaw?

[webcajun]

All the ones you saw in the bags were frozen. Naturally a fresh onion out the garden is the best but the frozen ones aren't that bad. Bet you could hardly tell the difference......... Donald

[wgseagal]

hahahha was that lucy stealing a potatoe sneaking off camera

[webcajun]

No that was Molly this time. She waited till the potatoes were bigger. She's the smart one.......... Donald

[BLBMZ]

Hey no fair!! I have to use a pitch fork to dig my potatoes...lol. Nice haul!!! Thanks as always for sharing with us.

[webcajun]

I know I'm cheating. LOL ........ Donald

[DoctorsWife56]

Yall must have one heck of a freezer (or 3)! Nice harvest and teamwork.

[webcajun]

Actually I do have 3.......... Donald

[manicbuyer]

Molly is such a character!! So cute! I enjoy your videos so much. Please keep sharing with us :)

[webcajun]

Thanks, glad you enjoy the videos. Molly is the smart one, she waited till I was a ways down the row......... Donald

[sadia102]

What a great harvest. How cool is it to see the family helping. Molly eating potato...lol super vid. Thanks.

[webcajun]

When I planted them it was Lucy stealing the seed potato.  Molly waited till they were bigger. LOL ......... Donald

[Pimporly]

Amazing video as usual!

Your buddy,

Orly

[webcajun]

Hey Buddy, got 2 of those peppers coming up. Hope I can get to plant em........ Donald

[ncpoet]

Mighty fine harvest, Donald! Nice to see the family involved, too. I like the way you dig them taters and onions up.

That's the first tater eating dog I've ever seen!

[webcajun]

Hey Buddy, make that two tater eating dogs. Both Molly and Lucy love em......... Donald

[gardenkids]

wow nice harvist you have a buch of potatoes

[webcajun]

Will try to plant a fall crop next month....... Donald

[steen1973]

Great as always. Love the assembly line you've got going!

[webcajun]

They were chopping as fast as I could cut em up........ Donald

[crewlla]

molly is such a charater does she ever get full. your daughter and me look alot alike. :)

[webcajun]

That was my daughter-n-law. She helps out when she can........ Donald

[MomOfTwoInTexas]

That's a lot of tears right there! lol The figures on your website are amazing, $624 store value of onions, just wow. Your a great inspiration to all of us, love, love, love your vids!

[webcajun]

If you cut these up right out the garden ... no tears. This year I grew between 750 and 800 lbs. of onions. That's a big pile. LOL ....... Donald

[bookhound63]

Watching your videos makes me want to plow up my whole side yard and plant a big garden.

[webcajun]

The videos only show a fraction of the work involved growing a really large garden. May want to start off small and work your way into it........... Donald

[MadBadVoodo]

Five Stars!!

[webcajun]

Thanks........ Donald

[antibean911]

Wow! that is a lot of onions.

[webcajun]

That was 1 of the 5 rows I planted........ Donald

[ohhyeahzulu]

i always get excited when i see you posted a video!!

[webcajun]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed......... Donald