Not got spuds in yet

**taff** · 09-04-2012, 07:54 AM

dont bother digging them in. Scrape a depression, cover with soil, mulch with grass and straw = no digging

**janeyo** · 09-04-2012, 07:57 AM

I like it except not allowed to carry a bale of straw!
Or push the heavy petrol mower, and it will prob won't get done again for weeks (OH not very outdoorsy lol)

**Nicos** · 09-04-2012, 07:59 AM

None of mine are in either( not even earlies)- and it'll be about a week before they do go in!
I've found the best way to get them to catch up is to give them a bit of extra water whilst they are growing.
Don't worry- you'll get them in and still get a crop!
Like the idea of the bulb planter btw!- I keep thinking this is the way we need to go!

**horticultural_hobbit** · 09-04-2012, 08:40 AM

That was my plan today. To sink spuds. As damp as wet fish today. Though not raining at the minute. Debating to go sink them regardless a la bulb planter.

**Currysniffa** · 09-04-2012, 09:09 AM

The first year I had my allotment I didn't get my main crop potatoes in till the 3rd week May (got the plot 17th of April ) and I had a great crop come the end of August beginning of September, so plenty of time yet.

**vegnut** · 09-04-2012, 09:27 AM

Just do what you can, spuds aren't fussy when they go in, it's just us trying to get new potatoes earlier and earlier trying to beat the frost etc.

**Bramble_killer** · 09-04-2012, 09:39 AM

will be fine, I got a good crop last year and I'm sure I planted it about 3 weeks after Easter.

Don't hurt yourself trying to do too much, it will be worse.

**VirginVegGrower** · 09-04-2012, 09:46 AM

I've still got 90 to go in "somewhere" don't panic! What about putting them in cut down growbags, so no digging, just more growing medium on the top each time, then get hubby to tip them out when ready. Before I got my allotment, I always grew spuds in bags.

**roitelet** · 09-04-2012, 10:03 AM

Panic not!!!!! The locals over here say that the day for planting spuds is the 16th April but that is because of the blight problem here but Gardening by the moon says 5,6,7th May. The later the better and then you avoid the risk of frost cutting down the tops. Bulb planter works a treat and I gave up trenching several years ago and now I've given up on spuds!!!! It costs 7-8 euros for 25 seed potatoes and I can buy 25 kilos for that so whats the point of growing them?

**VirginVegGrower** · 09-04-2012, 10:22 AM

Originally posted by roitelet View Post

Panic not!!!!! The locals over here say that the day for planting spuds is the 16th April but that is because of the blight problem here but Gardening by the moon says 5,6,7th May. The later the better and then you avoid the risk of frost cutting down the tops. Bulb planter works a treat and I gave up trenching several years ago and now I've given up on spuds!!!! It costs 7-8 euros for 25 seed potatoes and I can buy 25 kilos for that so whats the point of growing them?

Ah but you are living in the land of agriculture and great markets - we here are not

**kathyd** · 09-04-2012, 10:55 AM

Originally posted by VirginVegGrower View Post

Ah but you are living in the land of agriculture and great markets - we here are not

Is it still cheaper to grow your own maincrops in the UK then VVG? I must admit I'm only growing earlies and second earlies from now on, partly due to cost (not worth it), and partly to avoid the blight.

In GYO mag last year someone did a trial with potatoes - some under straw, some under black landscaping fabric and some under black plastic. Although some grew more than others, they all produced potatoes - and with no digging. So maybe you could try black landscaping fabric janeyo? I'm using straw because I have help carrying it, but I'd use black fabric if I couldn't use straw. I'm busy planning ahead for when I'm REALLY old and knackered, not just half way there - so any short cuts and easy ways of doing things are of enormous interest! Lol

.

**VirginVegGrower** · 09-04-2012, 11:31 AM

Originally posted by kathyd View Post

Is it still cheaper to grow your own maincrops in the UK then VVG? I must admit I'm only growing earlies and second earlies from now on, partly due to cost (not worth it), and partly to avoid the blight..

For the price that I got my tubers for and the varieties desired, I have to grow my own. If I want Wilja, Cara, Maris Piper or Desiree then I could probably buy them cheap enough. But if I want Bluebelle for instance, prized by the French

then it's GYO!
What I meant was, that in France, where you prize your farmers/market gardeners and get the variety/quality at a decent price, I wouldn't grow them either. But here in the UK it's nigh on impossible to get decent veg in the markets/farm shops unless you are close geographically to the growers. Our local market has dwindled to two days a week instead of four and most stalls are tat, second hand goods or selling highly decorated fabric in long lengths - none of which appeals to me.

**Aberdeenplotter** · 09-04-2012, 12:50 PM

plenty time yet to plant spuds. Even planting at the end of this month will still get you a decent crop

**Alison** · 09-04-2012, 02:12 PM

I never plant mine until the end of April and still got the tops burned by frost last year so am not worried.

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