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[<eureka AT hctc.net>]

We harvested our first sweet potatoes the other day, and 
ate a few. They were good in texture but very bland, as in 
lacking any sweet potato flavor. The variety was Vardaman, 
which was recommended.  I understand they like alkaline 
soil so they should be happy here. I'm wondering if it was 
something we did wrong or the variety. Any comments or 
recommendations? I'm thinking next year we will try a 
different kind.

I may not have mentioned our regular potato harvest was a 
huge dissappointment. Two rows yeilded about five spuds 
the size of my thumb! Even with lots of compost I don't 
think we were able to overcome the high alkaline pH from 
the water. My husband says he can't live without potatoes, 
but I really don't want to waste any more time or room in 
the garden trying again. Has anyone overcome alkalinity 
and successfully grown potatoes? The only people I know in 
Texas with success are in the east Texas pine forest with 
acidic soils and they are growing new, or red, potatoes.

--Sage
Way Out in Texas