I think it depends on the potato type you planted. If its a late season, or indeterminate, then continued hilling will produce more tubers. I just harvested my early season, determinate type today (see post below), and they flowered a week or so ago. I pulled up my plants because I want to put something else there, but there were plenty of smaller potatoes that would have grown bigger if I had left them with the plant in place. The majority were of good size however, so it seems the flowering did indicate maturity of my tubers. Perhaps the heat accelerated the process.

I agree that the most important issue is type of potato you planted. We experienced the same heat wave as you did here in south west BC. We harvested some early seaon potatoes (Warba's) last week that were already blooming. However, I have some late season Bintje's in a wire bin and I am continuing to pile up the dirt and mulch and plan to do so until the bin is full.

Sinfonian's quite well known blog on potato bins (see below for link) includes a list of late season potatoes that are recommended for bins. Many of us learned that too late last year b/c we had already used early varieties in our bins.

Do you know what variety you planted in your box?

Here is a link that might be useful: Sinfonian's build as you grow potato bins

Bobb grow...thanks for the info
Oops! I used Warba's in the box. I did not know to late season varieties. (Gardening=experimentation=experience)

The good news (I guess) is that that weather has cooled and the vines in the box seem to have stopped flowering and they continue to grow. So I continue to add dirt (and sides) and I guess I will not anticipate a bumper crop from the box.

What was your experience last year??? Should I continue the program???

Thanks!

I went to Sinfonain's web site and it sounds like I should stop adding dirt.

I used 1X6 #2 cedar fencing (instead of 2X6) It was much cheaper and seems like it will hold up throughout the season (now short)

I guess I will plant something else on the top of the box...any suggestions???

lonmower,

Yes, I think that I would stop adding dirt. The Warba's will be producing potatoes only at the bottom anyhow so adding dirt won't help but may hurt by reducing the amount of green plant foliage up in the sunshine producing energy and food for the potatoes below.

Last year my Warba's in the bin produced OK but only at the bottom because, as an early potato, it is 'determinate' and only produces potatoes once, in one layer. They were good potatoes though; Warba is a great variety for early potatoes. That's why I am planted them again this year; but not in a bin. I harvested early b/c they are such a good 'nugget' potato.

The Bintje's that I planted in the bin are a late season, or indeterminate, so hopefully they are continuing forming potatoes in layers higher up in the bin as I add soil.

Not sure what you mean by your question about planting "something else on top of the box...???" Do you mean after you harvest the potatoes? Or.......?