Potatoes I have started

**Snadger** · 29-12-2010, 10:27 AM

Blimmin eckerslike there' no messing around with you is there.

Good luck with tatties!

**gojiberry** · 29-12-2010, 04:28 PM

I usually start mine on or about Xmas day but am holding back this year. Everything in the greenhouse has been frozen solid and a lot still is. I don't want to start using heat yet as it is so expensive once I start, and I think there is another cold snap forecast.

Ian

**Patchninja** · 30-12-2010, 09:36 AM

Is it not too early for tatoes? I thought they were very frost sensitive! Am willing to learn!

**Flummery** · 30-12-2010, 01:49 PM

Tatoes are indeed sensitive to frosts Patchninja - but it might make a fdifference growing them in a poly tunnel. Mine sown in the ground in March last year suffered a considerable set-back in May from a late frost.

**kittykat8** · 31-12-2010, 05:36 AM

The soil in my tunnel was quite warm and I found an old potato sprouting so dedcided to plant, I planted about the same time last year but it lees cold then.

The problem I will have is when they come through, I am hoping that the fleese and the enviromesh underneath will keep off the frost. it will be a pain taking it on and off. It is a gamble really.

**Nicos** · 31-12-2010, 09:02 AM

Good for you!...yup- tis a risk but you'll be really chuffed later on in the year if it all works out!!
Fingers crossed for you!

**greasyfire** · 31-12-2010, 09:27 PM

im startin mine in big tubs, DEEP DEEP in the soil

**hailtryfan** · 31-12-2010, 09:53 PM

Was hoping to get some early spuds started under a tunnel cloche but think it's definately too early for that right now. Cloche should keep the frost off and warm the soil prior to planting but as I've never used one before don't know how early I could start. Any clues?

**Flummery** · 01-01-2011, 10:37 AM

I like aa few extra earlies - I usually get a crop in mid May - but I put them in big (2 ft across) tubs in the greenhouse in February and lag them with that thick bubble wrap stuff. Never tried them this early - it still gets well below zero in my greenhouse.

**AmyRose** · 03-01-2011, 05:41 PM

Hi All,

Brand new to potato growing - ive just been and got some seed potatoes (first early - red duke of yrk / maincrop - maris pipers)

i dont have a greenhouse and was planning on planting these in large containers, do you know when i should start chitting and plant?

Thanks!!!!

**dogsbody** · 03-01-2011, 06:33 PM

Crikey, just got back from the 'centre with my 6kg (�12) in bags, not even chitting yet!!

FYI Home-Guard, Charlotte and King Edward, all to be grown in 55cm pots.

Still eating last year's crops, sacks full still to go.....

**SlugLobber** · 03-01-2011, 07:05 PM

Flippin eck, I didn't know people even thought about it in December!! Haven't seen any on sale yet, around here, so I'll be holding out until March. I've still got plenty stored in the ground.

**palomino** · 09-01-2011, 10:29 PM

The garden centre were setting up their display of loose seed potatoes this weekend. I grew them in rolled down compost bags last year, kept topping up with multipurpose compost until my neighbour said I could top up with manure, garden compost or even grass clippings - but by then I'd already spent a king's ransom on MP compost. I set 8 potatoes in each of 12 bags, and got a maximum of ONE KILO of potatoes per bag, mostly less. The most expensive potatoes on the planet, I reckon! That was a steep learning curve.

**allotment sue** · 10-01-2011, 10:22 AM

Hi there earlybirds,
I got my seed potatoes on Saturday - they sell them loose at our local garden centre so I have got some Belle de la Fontenay, Rocket, Cara and some Sarpo Mira. Have only tried rocket before so it looks at though 'experimentiing' could be my new years resolution. I thought it might be worth trying the sarpo mira in case we get blight this year - I understand it is resistant but have also heard that the flavour is not so good. I guess this may also depend on your soil and weather conditions? Anyone know why some potatoes turn to mush when you boil them. It can't be just the variety because I have often grown the same varieties and some years they do and some they don't - another of lifes mysteries?
Allotment Sue

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