Seed Potatoes for 2024

[Andraste]

Having done a test forking at the plot on the weekend our ground isn't going to be ready for planting spuds for a few weeks yet, but some of our chitting seed are starting to look a bit wrinkly - mostly the smaller ones.

Does anyone 'spritz' their seed potatoes with a fine mist of water? I'm sure I recall one of the plotters on our site suggesting it but am wondering if I dreamt it.

[Containergardener]

I've not heard of that but mine are starting to wrinkle too. Mine are not going in the ground anyway but need to get them in something I think.

[dromia]

1/2 cwt each of Red Duke of Yroks, King Edwards and Golden Wonder chitting on.

Ground is still far too sodden to get onto but I did manage a 90ft row of the earlies last week planting from the path.

Golden Wonder are my absolute favourite tattie but was hard to get seed for, that is why I have the King Edwards as a fall back and I couldn't get my second favourite Kerrs Pink in reasonable quantities for love nor money.

Hope for a drier year this year not looking good at the moment.

[Andraste]

Aaannnnnnddddd - they're in!

We finally planted our selection of 1st & 2nd earlies yesterday.

We also remembered to sprinkle potato fertilizer in the trenches this year (goodness knows what's in the stuff - little grey balls of something) so fingers crossed for a decent harvest....or any harvest after last year's disaster

[Nicos]

Well, you are ahead of me Andraste !
Hopefully this week for me as we still need to dig up the last of the leeks.

[Andraste]

Good to know we're ahead of someone Nicos lol

That said, we learnt the hard way that it's much better to plant a few weeks later than the date the books tell you is the 'right' time & actually get a crop than it is to plant in the wrong conditions.

[peanut]

I've still got some Nicolas to plant in bags...

[Jungle Jane]

I’ve still got all the main crop Desiree,some charlottes & a couple of sharpes express to plant out

[Nicos]

It’s just been so wet hasn't it?

well, that’s my excuse

[Andraste]

It's definitely been ridiculously wet here too - so not an excuse at all but a very sensible decision

[Containergardener]

Got mine into bags last week finally

[Andraste]

Spotted our first spud leaves showing on Friday They're literally just starting to stick their heads about an inch at most above ground but I was unreasonably excited

[Plot70]

I got some donated spuds from the couple who have the plot next door.
They were well beyond there plant by date and came from a grocer who never got them sold in time before they sprouted.
The light starved shoots were almost a foot long and now have little bunches of leaves on them. They must be ready for earthing up.

[Andraste]

Congrats Plot70 - you certainly can't beat a freebie

[Nicos]

We finally got all our spuds in last Thursday.
Well - I thought we had, then, when I was vacuuming today, I spotted one under the sofa which Hibou had clearly pinched and played with