Potatoes Made Easy

[FionaH]

So is general purpose fertiliser ok then? First year growing and I know nowt about anything, fetiliser is a bit of a mystery. Hope the lambings going well

[terrier]

I usually throw a few chicken pellets in to the potato pot as I'm topping it up with soil and I've not had the seed rotting. I seem to remember someone on here saying to do that so I tried it and it seems to work well. I use a mix of soil and year old equipoo. Has anyone tried topping up the pots with straw or dried grass clippings ????. Just a thought.

[janeyo]

Great info there tattieman, thanks

[dandamegs]

Thanks Tattieman, usefull stuff.

Going back to the chitting stage-how many sprouts should you leave.

Don't ask me why, but I have always removed them all leaving just the strongest looking one to grow on.

I am growing mainly 1st earlies, with a single maincrop of King Edwards.

[jackie j]

Another question for Tattieman I left some of my seed potatoes in the cupard under the stairs in the net bag, they have sprouted big long white sprouts are these going to be ok. I thought they would be ok in the dark.

[lynda66]

ok i have another potato question, how do i get big potatoes for jacket spuds, and what is the best variety

and i'm thinking of using the grass clippings method of earthing them up this year, will it be ok to mix the grass clippings with straw from the chickens which will have some poo in it.

[tattieman]

Thanks Tattieman, usefull stuff.

Going back to the chitting stage-how many sprouts should you leave.

Don't ask me why, but I have always removed them all leaving just the strongest looking one to grow on.

I am growing mainly 1st earlies, with a single maincrop of King Edwards.

Now if you mean that they are just rubbed off then the sprouts will re-grow. You would need to cut the eyes out with a knife to stop re-growth. I think if you are wanting big spuds that you should leave 3/4 to grow.

Another question for Tattieman I left some of my seed potatoes in the cupard under the stairs in the net bag, they have sprouted big long white sprouts are these going to be ok. I thought they would be ok in the dark.

Best thing to do is gently rub the sprouts off now and then that will give them time to re-grow nice strong chits in the light. All early potatoes are wanting to sprout now.

ok i have another potato question, how do i get big potatoes for jacket spuds, and what is the best variety

and i'm thinking of using the grass clippings method of earthing them up this year, will it be ok to mix the grass clippings with straw from the chickens which will have some poo in it.

Ok for an early I would use Winston.
For a second Early I would use Estima.
Maincrop King Edward are hard to beat.
I have never used grass clippings and straw before so you will have to tell me if it works

[helly]

Wow ,this is a great thread as I am on my to pick up my tatties from JBA 2mor. I hope to grow mainly Salad tatties this year, I guess I would leave most of eyes on for Salad tatties?

[dandamegs]

This is a great thread

Thanks Tattieman, another thing I do that is completely wrong-will put it right this year

[burnie]

Great info,good thread,thanks.

[lynda66]

Ok for an early I would use Winston.
For a second Early I would use Estima.
Maincrop King Edward are hard to beat.
I have never used grass clippings and straw before so you will have to tell me if it works

thanks tattieman think i'll go for the king edward then i like jacket spuds, do i take some of the shoots off them? to get big spuds or just plant em as they grow cos they are big spuds anyway???

guess i'll just go for the straw and grass planting then lol, i'm gonna try everything without digging this year, so it seems an easy solution, i can only kill em can't i lol

[tattieman]

So is general purpose fertiliser ok then? First year growing and I know nowt about anything, fetiliser is a bit of a mystery. Hope the lambings going well

Try and get something like 4:4:9 NPK or there abouts.

Wow ,this is a great thread as I am on my to pick up my tatties from JBA 2mor. I hope to grow mainly Salad tatties this year, I guess I would leave most of eyes on for Salad tatties?

Yes see you tomorrow I would leave the eyes.

thanks tattieman think i'll go for the king edward then i like jacket spuds, do i take some of the shoots off them? to get big spuds or just plant em as they grow cos they are big spuds anyway???

guess i'll just go for the straw and grass planting then lol, i'm gonna try everything without digging this year, so it seems an easy solution, i can only kill em can't i lol

Leave 3/4 shoots and pack in the organic fertiliser and add plenty of water. They will grow big and tasty for you. I look forward to hearing about the straw and grass.

Glad you are all enjoying the thread. Any more questions?

[Two_Sheds]

Any more questions?

Can I grow spicy potato wedges?

[tattieman]

Can I grow spicy potato wedges?

Haha what are you like

[Lazgaot]

One quick one, I've got some 1st & 2nd earlies and maincrop ordered with you tattieman. I I guess I should chit them immediately I get them (end of Feb) and then plant them all at the same time and then I'll have a succession of crops through the year?