Potatoes everywhere
The abundance of summer is on full display in the valley right now, and potatoes are at the top of the list.
If it seems nearly every road one travels is adjacent to a field full of potato blossoms, it’s not surprising. Skagit County produces some 15,000 acres of spuds annually. We are especially known for dark red-skinned potatoes, although farmers grow red, white, yellow, and purple potatoes, as well as fingerlings.
Often, the color of the flowers indicates the color of the potatoes. So pink fields may be red potatoes, dark purple flowers are from purple potatoes. This isn’t always true, however, so white flowers may not indicate white skins. After the potatoes bloom, the vines are mowed and the potatoes sit in the field for another month to “finish.” This is when the skin sets and smooths. After that, the potatoes are harvested and head to market.
A spray of irrigation mist catches the light over blooming potato fields, where rows of lavender-pink blossoms stretch toward the foothills. Photo by Nancy K. Crowell/La Conner Community News
Close to La Conner, you also may see hybrid cabbage seeds almost ready for harvest (remember those fields of bright yellow flowers?). Hybrid spinach seed fields are turning dark green, along with grass seed. Wheat and barley fields have started to change color under the warmth of the summer sun. Squash blossoms can be spotted under the large leaves. And farm crews are already harvesting blueberries.
BERRY WATCH: WHAT’S RIPE IN SKAGIT?
As of mid-July, raspberries and blueberries are ripe for picking in Skagit Valley, while strawberries have mostly wrapped up. Looking ahead, blackberries, boysenberries, and heirloom brambles like tayberries and loganberries are expected to ripen from late July through August.
SEASON SNAPSHOT
Strawberries: early June to early July
Raspberries: July to mid-August
Blueberries: mid- July to September
Tayberries and loganberries: July to August
Blackberries and boysenberries: late July to early September
Skagit Valley farmers grow more than 90 different crops on about 90,000 acres. If you find yourself behind a tractor as you come and go, instead of fidgeting impatiently, consider enjoying the opportunity to slow down and reflect on the abundance of the valley we call home. Summer is go-time for farmers. They begin work before we get up and end their days well after most of us are done. And thanks to their diligence, we can enjoy delicious, locally grown produce at our tables.
Nancy K. Crowell is a photographer, photo editor, and a general assignment reporter. She has also been a Master Gardener for 10 years.
