Composter finds nearly 3-pound surprise
Kathy Forsness looks at her 2 lb 7.75-ounce potato with admiration after finding it in her compost garden. (MADISON HARDY/Press)
HAYDEN — Composting can create some pretty crazy things.
Just ask Kathy Forsness, whose treasure chest of vegetable delights contained an unexpected delight: a mighty spud, 2 pounds, 7.75-ounces worth of red potato.
"I was shocked, absolutely shocked at the size of this potato," Forsness said. "I thought it was so cool."
Born and raised in the Coeur d'Alene area, Kathy and husband Steve started composting to support his vegetarian diet and her love for gardening. After their son built raised boxes for her garden beds, Forsness now grows carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, greens, onions, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, and various other delicacies.
One of the things she doesn't grow, however, is potatoes.
"We've never grown potatoes before because they are so cheap," Forsness said. "It must have come out of the compost and been growing all season, but I just dug it up two days ago."
Composting is a process where organic material is added to soil to help plants grow. Forsness said she does not compost meats, eggs or dairy. Successful compost piles can include many ingredients often thrown in the trash like eggshells, coffee grounds, yard trimmings, ashes, sawdust, tea bags and shredded newspaper.
The benefits of composts are well-known for the soil-enriching characteristics that help retain moisture and suppress diseases and pests.
On average, a medium white or russet potato weighs 6 to 8 ounces. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest potato ever grown was 7 pounds, 1 ounce.
None of Forsness's other plants have come close to her potato's proportions, including the other spuds in her pocket of potatoes. She believes the abnormality is due to her use of sheep manure. Nutrients in sheep manure are known for having high phosphorus levels and potassium, which are essential elements regularly used for plant growth.
"One of my family members who is a gardener in Montana told us sheep manure is the best for your garden," Forsness said. "I live on Wyoming Avenue in Hayden, and there is a sheep farmer at the end of my road, so Steven went and got a load of manure this spring."
While Forsness said she doesn't plan to grow potatoes in the future purposely, she will continue using sheep manure.
"It's a treasure," Forsness said. "It'll be a while before I cut into it because right now, it's fun to look at. He's a handsome boy, a handsome potato."