Early early spuds

**Potstubsdustbins** · 26-02-2011, 09:11 PM

My first earlies will be planted next week in pots in my green house. If you can keep them frost free then any time about now.

Colin

**solway cropper** · 26-02-2011, 09:40 PM

I planted the first of mine in containers in the greenhouse last week and some more this week making 22 in all. The compost was warming in the greenhouse before they were planted and the containers have now been covered with bubble wrap. The trick is to not let them get too leggy before the time comes to put them outside.

**timethatthetaleweretold** · 26-02-2011, 10:20 PM

Originally posted by Pies View Post

How early can i plant some earlies

Im planing on putting one in a 17litre bag of peat and then placing the bags under a glass cloche so how early can i set them out

tia

Planting Potatoes in Mid-February in the South of England

Last week I planted 9 in a raised outdoor bed, and covered the soil with semi-composted horse manure.

I know it's way too early but it's kind of an experiment.
I'll let you know when/if the halms appear.

(the manure will be removed when the days are a little bit warmer)

P.S. This post doesn't really answer your question but this might end up being helpful info for next year...

**gojiberry** · 27-02-2011, 08:31 PM

I usually plant my first potatoes on Valentines day. Only a couple of very short rows. They will need (at some time ) frost protection. But most years I can get away with such an early sowing. Have also got several bags planted with potatoes. Being in the greenhouse they are easier to keep frost free. I always get a bit of a buzz out of being the first to harvest new potatoes ( I know it is a bit childish).

Ian

**Aberdeenplotter** · 27-02-2011, 08:45 PM

You won't get much of a crop if you plant just in peat. You will need to add fertiliser.

**The Large One** · 27-02-2011, 08:57 PM

Planted Rocket and Lady Chrystal pots this weekend in raised beds in the allotment
thnk reading this i may pop back tommorow to fleece them

**Two_Sheds** · 28-02-2011, 08:05 AM

My spuds aren't growing (chitting) much indoors at 16c, so I won't be putting them in the dirty cold soil just yet

**timethatthetaleweretold** · 28-02-2011, 04:46 PM

After posting in this thread I felt anxious about my "early early" potatoes (planted mid february).
(It is pretty cold and damp.)

Anyway, yesterday I was planning to dig up the potatoes and see what was going on, and maybe forget the whole thing until it's warmer.

But the first one I dug up felt firm and healthy and was starting to produce fine white roots (not mould!)

They're doing ok, so I'll leave them be, in the hope of a super-early Gojiberry-style harvest.

**Pies** · 28-02-2011, 05:48 PM

Well they were planted in 17 litre black bags of peat with added nutramate and other stuff. The bags were set about 3" into the soil to hopefully help controll watering.They are under one of my class cloches.As they say now time will tell

**Croila** · 28-02-2011, 10:13 PM

Originally posted by Potstubsdustbins View Post

My first earlies will be planted next week in pots in my green house. If you can keep them frost free then any time about now.

Colin

Colin, can I ask, do you plant one tattie per pot? And how high does the foliage get before you transplant them into the ground? I like the sound of this!

**Potstubsdustbins** · 28-02-2011, 10:49 PM

Croila.

The pots I use are Morrisons style black buckets drilled for drainage. The ones sold in packs at Morrisons are slightly smaller than some so they get 1 set, my larger pots get 2.

Plant in about 3" of rich compost and gradually fill pot as the plants develop until compost is about 1" from top of pot, this allows me to flood water the plants. I don't transplant into the garden mainly because I have no garden just very big patios. New pots ready in 8-12 weeks dependant on the weather.

Last year was about average for me harvested my first pot second week of May and got 2 good boiling's.

Hope this helps Colin

**Potstubsdustbins** · 28-02-2011, 10:54 PM

Croila,

Just seen your pic on Winter Hardy Brasicas. Looks to me as if its cabbage out when ready and early spuds in.

Colin

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