Are my potatoes poisonous?

Good‘s new gardening expert Zoe Carafice is ready and waiting to solve your dilemmas! Each question published on Zoe’s blog or in Good receives a fab prize from Tui Garden. This week: which parts of the potato to compost … or not.

Email your gardening questions to [email protected] and every question answered in Good or on Zoe’s blog will receive a fab prize from Tui Garden Products!

Q: Can I put potato tops on the compost heap? They don’t appear to have any infections. Also are potato berries poisonous to hens? We seem to have a lot of small tomato-looking berries on the potatoes this year. –Judith

A: It is completely fine to put potato tops (the leaves of the plant including berries) into your compost heap; they will rot down the same as any other plant does and the toxins will disperse. Like you say, check for disease. If there is any sign of rust or infection it is best to burn the plants so as not to spread spores.

Potato plants are poisonous for humans and animals when eaten. They are a member of the nightshade family and contain a toxin named solanine which is found in the leaves, berries and the green spots which we cut off the actual potatoes.

It is important to keep this in mind when growing potatoes. Find a spot that is safe from children and chickens who may be tempted by the tasty-looking but highly toxic berries!

–Zoe Carafice

Judith has won a bottle of Seasol from Tui Garden Products! Seasol is a seaweed-based plant tonic that has been used by Australian and New Zealand commercial growers and home gardeners for over 30 years.

The naturally occurring growth stimulants in Seasol promote strong root growth, reduce transplant shock, improve germination rates and increase flowering and fruiting capacity.