Innovative potato farming method embraces forest cultivation in Sotkamo, Finland

In Sotkamo, Finland, Jari Kropsu’s innovative idea of cultivating potatoes in a forest has proven successful after five years of experimentation. “In a forest cultivation, potatoes grow without the hassle of weeding, and the result is beautiful and flavorful,” he boasts. Here, Kropsu shares his tips for successful forest potato farming.

Potatoes can only be planted on one’s own land or with the permission of a forest owner. Kropsu’s trials have taken place in the Pohjavaara area, where he has experimented with sunny and shaded sites as well as three potato varieties. He emphasizes that potatoes need sunlight, as growth was weaker under shady spruce trees. The best variety proved to be Annabella, known for its firmness, beauty, and taste, while Colomba yielded the best harvest. Meanwhile, the yield from the new Siikli variety has yet to be uncovered.

Kropsu finds that the ideal planting site is a mixed forest with a predominance of pines and some deciduous trees. Fallen leaves over the years provide the soil with fluffiness and softness. “A suitable growing medium is created by mixing local soil with leaf litter,” he explains.

To avoid diseases, Kropsu suggests careful use of ash fertilizer, as too much can cause unwanted scab on the potatoes. At this time of year, it’s crucial to burn the potato foliage to prevent the spread of possible diseases, especially potato blight. For the upcoming spring, Kropsu plans to plant in a different area of the forest to minimize these risks.

Kropsu dreams of cultivating the traditional black potato from Pohjavaara, which produces many small tubers, deeply rooted near the soil’s surface. This variety has fallen out of favor due to modern agricultural practices. “It would be fantastic to see it thrive in these forest conditions,” Kropsu expresses his enthusiasm for the project.