Grow Your Own Magazine

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Jan A novice gardener - first year of growing

Don't believe the books which say "ready when flowered". Begin to check for tubers after about three months since planting (you could have a reasonable crop of earlies after this amount of time) and then maybe every couple of weeks thereafter until you find potatoes of a reasonable size.

Flowering does not necessarily mean that the tubers are ready - my Duke of York flowers appeared (they don't open, they drop off on this variety) over a month ago and I won't be harvesting for a couple of weeks. My Valor maincrop have been flowering for two weeks and there are no tubers to be found as yet.


What date did you plant them?

I dig mine up when I want some potatoes...I've never had them flower yet!

I'm going to have a look in a couple of weeks time for my first marbles

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

Potatoes don't always flower Witch. When they're ready the foliage turns yellow and starts to die down.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

I've never had flowers on any of my potatoes Witch, whether salad, earlies or maincrop. I start scratching the surface for salad and earlies after 90-100 days.

Many thanks - I planted them out 5th April. They are Pentland Javelins.

Another question... can I plant them out again for some 'later' potatoes - as I (as always) brought too many!!

Jan

Just set calendar up for 1st July - should be ready about then!! Another month... can't wait

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Jan A novice gardener - first year of growing

Hi witch-1. My anoe haven't flowered but the leaves are starting to die off. I started digging a couple of weeks ago and although I have to dig a couple of plants at a time at the moment we have been rewarded with some beautifully sized supremely delicious earlies. My Milva's have been flowering for a few weeks and there is nothing much to see.

I have however been spoilt by a visit from my mum with some rather lush still very grubby Jersey Royals. MMMMMMMMMM

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Bright Blessings
Earthbabe
If at first you don't succeed, open a bottle of wine.

If you can do it put the seed potatoes that you have left over in the salad tray in your fridge and they will stay in the state they are in until you plant them in august then have new spuds for Christmas jacob

Hi all,
I dug up one plant each of Pentland Javelin, Swift and Rocket today. None of which had flowered and I had a fabulous haul of beautiful new potatoes. Yum Yum.

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May all our seeds germinate and grow

Helen

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Jan A novice gardener - first year of growing

Purple Brussel Sprouts?? I haveto get some of those. I thought it was amazing when I got purple sprouting broccoli in my vegbox but purple brussels!?!?! Pleeeeeeeeeeaaaaase give me some details eg name of variety,name of supplier so I can try and track some down. Ive got seeds for next year so i can grow yellow toms and courgettes.

When space is freed up on my lottie I always stick something in for a second try, spuds have worked well in the past, I don't get dissapointed if it doesn't pan out, any result is a bonus. beans and other relatively quick growers are allso an option as our seasons are getting less extreem.

I have just started taking up my rocket ( first early ) and am supprised how big they are and they havn't started flowering yet. i have herd different things like, wait for the flower to die, pick it when the flowers out but i have sone an experiment this year and if you wait for the flowers to come but before they open, you will get a perfect crop.... good luck