Help! Killed my potatoes. Can I eat them?

[hedgemoo]

A month ago I had a thriving crop of potato plants. Then i thought i would mulch them with the uncomposted cage sweepings from my new quail. Thought I was being clever, but no, the lovely potatoes died to a plant.

My mother in law suggested I might still have tubers, so I dug, and I got a good pile of potatoes.

My question is, having poisoned the plants, can I still eat the tubers? They look and smell ok.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How did you poison the plants? Was there poison in the quail cage?
I don't know where you are but around here, potatoes are about done growing.
I would eat them if there was no poison involved.

 

[hedgemoo]

I read that plants will be poisoned by uncomposted bird poo. Thats all, not actual poison poison iyswim

 

[RainbowHen]

They are fine to eat. Wash them very well.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I agree with wash them and enjoy!
At the end of the potato season the vines die off, that is a sign to dig them up. Thank you for the reminder! I need to dig mine up too!!

 

[hedgemoo]

They are fine to eat. Wash them very well.

Thanks, I will.

 

[Acre4Me]

The reason to not use uncomposted poo from birds is in part due to pathogens present. Ones that can get us sick. What killed your plants may have been excess nitrogen burning them. So, wash your potatoes well and then you will cook them. In the future you should compost any manure. The only manure I am aware of that is ok to add directly to your garden is rabbit poop Because it is not “hot” and won’t but. Your plants. But, I still don’t think I’d add it to something that is eaten fresh (like strawberries).

 

[Mmanist]

Wash them well, and enjoy. Your potatoes may have just been done for the season. It is normal for your plant part to die off when the cold comes. I usually dig mine up shortly after the top of the plant turns brown.

 

[hedgemoo]

I suppose it could have been the end of season. I thought they'd last longer as they were a late planting. They made some tasty mash anyway.