This year's potato harvest was characterised by mixed feelings for the ‘WIR in Lorsch’ project (for more info regarding the project see the following blog post: https://www.yearonthefield.net/post/from-planting-to-hilling-field-report-from-the-wir-in-lorsch-project-lauresham-open-air-laborato). While the early varieties produced an average harvest, the late potatoes suffered major losses due to late blight.
Two different methods were used for the harvest itself. The ridges of the early potatoes were ploughed apart with a hilling plough (Häufelpflug) and then picked up, while a flywheel harvester (Schwungradroder) was used for the late varieties. In both cases, cattle were used as animal traction.
The flywheel harvester (Schwungradroder) in action – it is pulled by two draught cattle.
The potatoes were finally marketed locally as part of several campaigns at the Lorsch market and sold well – despite their often small size.
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