Planting spuds now for xmas

**Kristen** · 01-09-2014, 04:49 PM

I think its getting late - I plant mine first week of August - there are enough weeks, but not enough light with shortening days and falling temperatures.

You'll need seed potatoes that have been conditioned (typically they will have been stored in cool storage from Spring; current year's crop need a certain amount of time before they will sprout; I've forgotten how long that is, but I think about 2 months, and hence there is generally not enough dormancy-period time to harvest your own from your Spring-planted crop and re-plant for an XMas crop)

JBA normally have some Xmas-conditioned seed potatoes, but I've not checked their website to see if they have any left.

**WendyC** · 01-09-2014, 04:54 PM

Sounds like it might be more of what you can get hold of rather than what you'd like!

**chilli_grower** · 01-09-2014, 05:00 PM

I planted some maris peer at the allotment beginning of August.

If they grow they grow, if they don't they don't.

Just an experiment really....

**bearded bloke** · 01-09-2014, 06:15 PM

I'm with Kristan in that you are really a little late on this, however if you want to have a go anyway. Check availability with Iian at JBA seed potatoes, if he cannot help go to your local garden centre & see if they have any second earlies that have started to sprout in their bags.

**Green Gerkin** · 01-09-2014, 06:29 PM

I'm the same chilli grower, planted Charlotte couple of weeks ago, if they grow they grow experiment!!
It would be pretty amazing dishing them up on Christmas Day 😀 Fingers crossed!
They did still have loads of seed potatoes in the GC two weeks ago.

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**chilli_grower** · 01-09-2014, 06:38 PM

well, last year it remained very mild until after xmas, this year might be the same....

**skeggijon** · 01-09-2014, 07:11 PM

I got mine from the local GC which had been specially conditioned - although you're a bit late for roasties, you should still be able to grow new pots. As for varieties, you'll just have to go with whatever you can get I'm afraid.

**Bigmallly** · 01-09-2014, 08:42 PM

I'm giving Rocket a go:

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ies_79238.html

**Kristen** · 02-09-2014, 06:21 AM

Originally posted by chilli_grower View Post

well, last year it remained very mild until after xmas, this year might be the same....

I think the issue is more likely to be light, rather than cold. New Potatoes will need 10 weeks or so ... planting now that will be mid November, probably no frost by then (well, Down South anyway

) but day length and sun-power are low (compared to Spring-planted).

Spring planted May-July day length and sun insolation/power is pretty constant 15-16 hours per day and 3.5-4.8 kWh/m2/day, but for Autumn spuds from August to November day length falls 14h, 12h, 10h, 9h and whilst the insolation for August is fine at 4.2 it then falls off dramatically September - November 2.81, 1.69, 0.92 i.e. 66%, 40%, 22% - and that's what I think will be the problem with planting in September rather than August.

**TrialAndError** · 02-09-2014, 08:40 AM

I planted Pentland Javelin in the ground mid August. They are now about 5cm high above the ground. I've done similar for many years and it has always worked, I think because the ground retains more heat than you might expect. A mid-August planting should give me eating potatoes by early November based on past experience. Planting now in bags, with a greenhouse and some minor heating will work fine is my guess.

It does all depend on the date of the first frost of course but stats indicate success should be achievable in most years.

Just to confuse matters, as far as I know, the length of daylight hours is not a determining factor with plants it's the length of darkness that is a factor. And it affects flowering ability not the formation of tubers on potatoes. So, don't expect flowers on your potato plants.

I will post back when / if I harvest any spuds.

**Kristen** · 02-09-2014, 09:21 AM

I'll be very interested to hear how anyone planting spuds late (late August or September) gets on. They're no point me whinging about it being a bad idea, in future years, if folk have success

**skeggijon** · 02-09-2014, 12:15 PM

I've kept earthing up my christmas spuds in potato growbags and have now got sturdy 30cm growth above the bags.

**Bigmallly** · 02-09-2014, 05:44 PM

Originally posted by TrialAndError View Post

Just to confuse matters, as far as I know, the length of daylight hours is not a determining factor with plants it's the length of darkness that is a factor. And it affects flowering ability not the formation of tubers on potatoes. So, don't expect flowers on your potato plants.

That's good news as I don't want any flowers.

**Green Gerkin** · 02-09-2014, 05:55 PM

Originally posted by Kristen View Post

New Potatoes will need 10 weeks or so ... planting now that will be mid November, probably no frost by then (well, Down South anyway

) but day length and sun-power are low (compared to Spring-planted).

That's good to hear Kristen, I'm on south coast so my potatoes stand a good chance (I have no greenhouse) if there's a frost they will end up in the spare room!!

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