Planted and progressing. Almost midway through June, the majority of this year’s Maine potato crop is in the ground.
“We had some people out the end of April...first part of May, though, we had a lot of people getting out,” said Tim Hobbs, director of development and grower relations for the Maine Potato Board. “It was still cool then and pretty dry, and then we had snow and rain … That cooled things down and we took a break, but in the last couple of weeks we had a lot of potatoes put in the ground.”
The potato board doesn’t have an exact acreage total at this point, but Hobbs says it will be down slightly from last year. He says like every year, last year had its challenges, and growers are always excited at the start of a new season.
“Spring comes and planting season comes, and when you can get out and get on the ground and start new again, that generally improves attitudes,” said Hobbs.
Willard C. Doyen & Sons in Mapleton, Maine, finished planting May 26. Their planting season was 11 days long, which is a little shorter than normal.
“We’re just getting ready to spray for blight today, actually,” said Willard Doyen Friday. “The potatoes are coming up, and we’re going to spray them and hoe them and pick rocks.”
Both Doyen and Hobbs say it’s been a good spring so far. As far as weather going forward goes—well, they need it to be just right.
“This last week was too rainy and gloomy and cold,” said Doyen. “We like to see it warmer and sunnier, but we do need some rain too at times.”
Doyen has his crew working five to six days a week to get ready for a fall harvest he hopes will be a good one.
“We got a nice crop last year, so if we can get the crop we did last year, I’ll be happy,” he said.
The Maine Potato Board says a few acres of potatoes still remain to be planted. The exact number of acres will likely be released at the end of June.
Source: WAGM-TV