Potatoes Made Easy

[Potstubsdustbins]

To cover or not to cover.

I had this come up in conversation with a friend two years ago, to try and bottom it I grew 4 tubers of Lady C in each of two dustbins. The bins were side by side both bins were treated exactly the same except that in one the haulm was completely covered whilst in the other I left the topmost part of the haulm clear. The result at harvest no discernible difference.

When topping up my containers I just pour in more compost no firming at all it is unnecessary.

Mary-Belle, you dont state where abouts you are, but here in Notts my haulms are just about clearing the top of the dustbins and I have been topping off every two days. Make sure you keep them well watered in this dry spell and be ready to feed 6/8 weeks after planting in MPC.

Colin

[Rob the Radish]

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere already, had a look and was unable to see an answer.

I have planted some spuds last month, they are supposed to be ready for xmas !

now, i just planted them in the garden, i have two questions, firstly, frost, how do i protect them against this, or do i need to ?
and,
Ridging up, at what hieght should the leaves be when i start ridging up, and how high should they be when i stop ridging ?

Sorry this may sound silly but have never done this before.

Thanks, Rob.

[VirginVegGrower]

Start earthing as soon as they are about 4-6" above ground although for Christmas spuds you normally grow in containers as protection against frost, moving them into a greenhouse. Multiple layers of fleece would be my only advice and good luck!

[Rob the Radish]

Thanks, i am hoping to dig some before xmas, but wont know if they are ready, will just have to take a little look i guess.

Whats fleece ?

And when should i stop putting earth on them, this is quite baffling, seems wierd covering plants up when all you want them to do is grow !

Rob.

[VirginVegGrower]

Horticultural fleece which you can get from Wilkinsons or a b and q. You earth up around the stems in order to prevent tubers going green - you will not stop them growing. I suspect the cold weather in Autumn/Winter might though.

[briggsy2011]

hi, just planning for next years growing. I just need to know roughly how long it takes from planting the chitted pots to actually harvesting them. Is there a rough idea of weeks etc? Or do we keep an eye on the plants and they give a clue when they are ready?

I will be growing them in potatoe grow bags unless i get hold of some plastic dustbins.

thanks x

[zazen999]

If you have a look on Tattieman's website, and click on the potato type, for example First Earlies - it will give you the approx days to harvest.

[briggsy2011]

Hi can anyone let me know tattimans website address? i know i can look through all the pages but i am having a sneaky look whilst at work?

thanks for you help xxx

[FionaH]

JBA Seed Potatoes Here ya go

[briggsy2011]

Hi

How big do the sprouts on the chitted pots need to be before i can plant out? I only start chitting my spuds about 2 weeks ago, should i wait the full 6 weeks?

cheers Lou

[Kaiya]

Since you can plant them out without chitting them, I believe you can plant them whenever you think the soil is warm enough.

[Rob the Radish]

After a reasonable performance last year (considering i had no idea and did not plant untill the end of july) i tried to be a bit earlier this year.....so was looking at getting some dseed potatoes when a gent from the village gave me two bags of seed spuds, one bag of kestrel and one of estima !!

I have no idea what they are or taste like but will give them a go.

Now the questions......

I took them out the bags tonight, they already have chits on so was thinking i may be able to get them in the ground this weekend ? is that possible or a bit too early ?

I am also looking for some new potatoes, or are they called salad potatoes ? what variety should i be looking for and is it too late for them as i have been told they would need to be "earlies"

They will all be planted in the ground at my allotment not in bags or bins, will this be ok ?

To finish off i would just like to say a huuuugggggeeee thankyou to everyone for this thread, have just read it start to finish and makes me feel like i know what i am doing even if i am not !

Rob.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Rob they are both second earlies. They will need about 16/18 weeks in the ground if you can't offer them protection I would look to getting them in the ground in about 2 weeks for July/Aug lifting.

If you google Estima you will find lots of info on the potato board web site about taste etc.

First earlies I always use Swift because they are so quick 8/10 weeks on a good year, Rocket are also a good variety. Out side they should be going in about now.

Hope this helps colin

[Hazel at the Hill]

.....so was looking at getting some seed potatoes when a gent from the village gave me two bags of seed spuds, one bag of kestrel and one of estima !!
..
.
I am also looking for some new potatoes, or are they called salad potatoes ? what variety should i be looking for and is it too late for them as i have been told they would need to be "earlies"

They will all be planted in the ground at my allotment not in bags or bins, will this be ok?

Both of those varieties are really tasty, Rob - as Colin says, get them in at the allotment about now, or within the next couple of weeks. They are susceptible to frost (which is why there have been comments on fleece) but I plant my spuds 10" to 12" deep in the middle of March, an by the time they have come up in about 3-4 wks, the frost risk has more or less passed. Actually, I was so keen in my first year at the Hill that I planted first earlies on 24/02, to no great ill effect.

For early potatoes (about 10-12wks planting to harvest) although Rocket are - true to their name - quick to mature, they don't taste of anything but soggy cardboard, in my view. I'd go for Lady Crystl or Duke of York. And if you have space, I think that you cannot beat Charlotte - a second early, but second to none in terms of taste!

[Two_Sheds]

I am also looking for some new potatoes, or are they called salad potatoes ?

New potatoes are the earlies.

Salad potatoes are the nice firm waxy ones that don't fall into mash but hold their shape when cooked. My fave salad potato is Pink Fir Apple, which is a late maincrop (I can be digging them up from Aug until Dec)

A few varieties, with their uses, are here: Potato Varieties - Potato Council