pulling first earlies

[cotton54321]

I read somewhere that it was 10-12 weeks from planting to harvesting for first earlies but are you supposed to wait for them to flower? Mine show no sign of flowering at all although it is only 8 weeks since planting. Just wondered any thoughts?

Thanks
Mel

[Alice]

Have a bit more patience Cotton Your first earlies will take 13 weeks to be ready so you have about 5 weeks to go

[Janette]

Spotted my first flowers today. So really made the trip to the allotment in the rain worthwhile.

Do they have to be completely finished flowering before digging or in flower?

[andrewo]

I was always told as soon as the flowers show to water like crazy to make the potatoes swell but with all this rain...

[Alice]

Hello Janette The proof of the pudding's in the eating If you're really desperate for those tatties you can have a gentle dig around one and see what size they are. If they're as big as eggs they're yours But think you might have to wait a while

[poultrychat]

I was always told as soon as the flowers show to water like crazy to make the potatoes swell but with all this rain...

It's good isn't it andrewo - my rocket spuds have had flowers on them for a while now and the rain has been brilliant, the foliage is growing daily, now I just need a little sun to open them as they were planted on 10/3

[SueA]

They don't always flower before they're ready Cotton you just have to judge when they are big enough by how long they've been in & how big they are if you feel around in the compost. My first earlies have hardly ever flowered before I've eaten them but I do like small new potatoes for boiling or salads so maybe I'm just a bit impatient!