Should I be bothered with maincrop this year?

**VirginVegGrower** · 18-01-2012, 05:25 PM

You can get scab resistant varieties but I guess the choice is ultimately your's.

**ladylottie** · 18-01-2012, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by robfosters View Post

Tried maincrop last year for the first time with cara's.

Disaster. Every potato had scab on it. The yield was small and the potatoes were undersized.

A lot of work went into them and with very little result. Contrary to my Annabelles and Charlottes which were lovely. Best pots i've ever eaten.

Seeing as last years result's were'nt good and apparently there doesn't seem to be much taste difference between homegrown and supermarket maincrop, i'm wondering whether or not to bother or just run off earlies all through the summer.

Anyone else felt this way?

I don't bother any more with maincrop potatoes - I need the space for other things anyway. But I prefer First Earlies and they last ages. I have grown 2nd earlies which I find grow on and I can keep through most of the winter.

This year I'm only growing 1st earlies (unless I get tempted with 2nds in the shops

).

Personally if you could use the space for other things then I'd give maincrops a miss. But at the end of the day you have to choose

**Kleftiwallah** · 18-01-2012, 05:37 PM

If you feel you need to ask the question, you have already made your mind up ! ! ! how's that for cyclogical. I should use the space for something you really like or something that is expensive in the shops, or something that you like and is expensive. Cheers, Tony.

**robfosters** · 18-01-2012, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by ladylottie View Post

But I prefer First Earlies and they last ages.

How long do first earlies last you and how do you store yours?

**Alison** · 18-01-2012, 06:05 PM

When I just grew at home I didn't have space for main crop spuds but since I've had a lottie I would always grow them. They take very little work (I don't really understand why you say otherwise) and keep me fed through the cold months. Think we're only bought spuds about 3 times in the past few years and that was in the little gap between the stored ones finishing and the next earlies starting. As mentioned above, there are scab resistant ones and so many varieties to chose from unlike in the supermarket. Even if you can't taste much difference then at least you know that they're grown how you want, I don't add chemicals and like that knowledge that I'm not eating them either.

**northepaul** · 18-01-2012, 06:16 PM

I am actually growing more maincrop potatoes this year - as I had a very good crop last year but not enough to last us through the winter, which is my aim for next year.
I am also growing 1st and 2nd earlies too...
scab (as far as I recall, please correct me if im wrong!) is because the soil may be too alkaline?

**Potstubsdustbins** · 18-01-2012, 08:31 PM

If you decide to go ahead first rotate your crops and grow the pots in a different place. Scab is caused by a pathogen which can remain in the soil. Second don't lime your potato patch what you are looking for is a pH level between 5.0 & 5.2 for best conditions. If your pH level is a little high scatter some grass clippings on after planting as these will help with acidity as they decompose.

As an alternative you might consider something like Lady Christl. These are a first early but every year I leave some in the ground as they make wonderful bakers and chippers.

Colin

**Two_Sheds** · 19-01-2012, 08:20 AM

Scab is a real problem with my soil (it thrives in an alkaline soil). I've started growing my spuds in leafmold (slightly acidic) or MPC, but this isn't ideal, is a lot of extra work, and you don't get huge yields in containers.

More info here: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...scab_3833.html

I'm now growing only a few spuds, my favourite early varieties (plus PFA which is a late main salad). Maincrop spuds are cheap in the shops, it's a waste of my time & effort trying to do them.

**ladylottie** · 19-01-2012, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by robfosters View Post

How long do first earlies last you and how do you store yours?

They last until at least the end of October/November and I only keep them in a thick paper potato sack (got from the local chip shop) under the bench in my glass shed. I keep an eye on them every couple of weeks or so to check they are still ok and throw out any going rotten.

Reading some of the posts on here I think others must eat loads more potatoes than I do! That's perhaps another reason why they need to grow maincrops as well.

And I agree with Alison, whether you grow maincrops or not at least you know you haven't put any chemicals on them.

**vicky** · 19-01-2012, 12:48 PM

Different varieties suit different conditions. Cara doesn't work for you so why not grow extra of the ones that do? You don't have to lift them at a certain time of year, they'll just get bigger the longer you leave them.
I had terrible scab with Red Duke of York last year but Valor and the Sarpos were perfect.

**rustylady** · 19-01-2012, 03:00 PM

I live on my own, so don't need a huge amount of spuds. I buy my seed potatoes from Wilkinsons or the Pound shops (5 or 8 tubers per bag), that way I get a nice selection. I grew Rooster (main crop) last year as well as my earlies and they were fantastic. Got another bag for this year.

**The Large One** · 19-01-2012, 03:53 PM

i sometimes question myself as to keep going with maincrop, especially when round here you can buy 25kg bag from the farmer for �6-7 but the taste is totally different and i can say " i grew them"
2 bags of rosster seed potatoes and 1 sarpo mira laste year yeilded 3 12.5kg bags which i still have best part of 1 12.5 left
sticking with rooster this year but adding cara to try this season

**Potstubsdustbins** · 19-01-2012, 04:23 PM

2 kg bag of Picasso �5-75p I know my yield will be between 50/60 Kilos so to me it makes economic sense. Plus you just can't buy spuds that taste as nice as home grown. Plus you know how they have been grown etc.

Colin

**Snadger** · 19-01-2012, 05:43 PM

I'm getting a bit sick of experimenting with new varieties each year only to find they aer enot suited to my taste or soil/area.

Basically, this year I'm growing what I like to eat and cultivars that usually do well in my area,

Charlotte (early)
Kestrel (2nd early)
Desiree (Maincrop)

Ok, they may seem boring varieties.......................but I like em!

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