Last Years Potatoes...

[Stargazergirl]

I have just gone out to see what work I need to do this weekend and have been reminded that I never did get around to digging up my potatoes last year and they are now growing well again (I am easily distracted you see..!) My question is should I dig them up or would they be alright to leave in? (I think that they are Highland Burgundy, Salad Blue and Shetland Black...??!)

[shirlthegirl43]

Well, I guess you will get a huge crop if the ground has enough nutrient since - theoretically (as I understand anyhoo) - each spud that grew last year will now act as a seed spud!!

Hopefully you won't suffer too much from problems from growing in the same place

[nmayhew]

my 2 rows of spuds turned into one mega bed because of not digging up all last year's - thought i had as well

actually it's a pain in the bum as i have had to buy masses of compost to earth up only about 2/3 of them so far (600+ litres)

[Stargazergirl]

Thanks Guys, I will let them grow away (will just have to re-think my planting for this year a little...! ) The bed that they are in had loads of compost put on in the winter so they should be ok for nutrients (I hope) - think I will have a go with earthing up with grass cuttings as I seem to have plenty...

[terrier]

my 2 rows of spuds turned into one mega bed because of not digging up all last year's - thought i had as well

actually it's a pain in the bum as i have had to buy masses of compost to earth up only about 2/3 of them so far (600+ litres)

It would be cheaper to cover them with grass mowings or buy a bale of straw to cover them. You are only earthing up to exclude the light from and spuds that grow.

[SarzWix]

How on earth do you forget to dig up a whole bed of potatoes...

If you're leaving them to grow, make a note not to grow potatoes there for at least 3 years, more if you can, as you will be encouraging the build of potato pests & diseases.

[Snadger]

I have 'escapee's' coming up all over. If i dig them up and they look like they have a decent spud on the bottom I am transplanting them in groups of threes around my lottie, rather than waste them.

[indigox]

Is it okay to plant spuds from last year as seed tubers?
I usually buy fresh ones from the gc, but if it's alright to use my own instead, then I will!
(for next year, obviously a bit late for now)

[Stargazergirl]

How on earth do you forget to dig up a whole bed of potatoes...

If you're leaving them to grow, make a note not to grow potatoes there for at least 3 years, more if you can, as you will be encouraging the build of potato pests & diseases.

As I said I'm easily distracted... There was a lot going on towards the end of last year with my job coming to an end, trying to sort the house and myself out - it was one of those "i'll do that later" situations where later never came... (almost did the same with my Jerusalem Artichokes but managed to remove half of them before they started growing again).

Shouldn't be a problem with planting potatoes in the same place again as I am trying using a couple of old bins and Morrison's flower buckets this year and will continue to do so if successful

[lynda66]

might be worth giving them a feed of something just to make sure theres enough nutrients for them especially if theres a lot of original spuds

i have spuds coming up all over too, even in places there werent any spuds last year .... i think when the rotavator turned em into smash, the little chunks started growing .... whoops ....... decided to leave em and plant round em, can never have too many spuds and they were quite nice last year too

[Snadger]

might be worth giving them a feed of something just to make sure theres enough nutrients for them especially if theres a lot of original spuds

i have spuds coming up all over too, even in places there werent any spuds last year .... i think when the rotavator turned em into smash, the little chunks started growing .... whoops ....... decided to leave em and plant round em, can never have too many spuds and they were quite nice last year too

Just had a chuckle thinking about the old smash advert................

[Creemteez]

How on earth do you forget to dig up a whole bed of potatoes...

If you're leaving them to grow, make a note not to grow potatoes there for at least 3 years, more if you can, as you will be encouraging the build of potato pests & diseases.

Sarz, love your new avatar! I use to love Noggin the Nog.
.....Ok, just read that and if people don't remember Noggin the Nog they are SO-O-O going to misunderstand!!

[lynda66]

Just had a chuckle thinking about the old smash advert................

it was definitely reminiscent of smashing them all to pieces

[emilymup]

Is it okay to plant spuds from last year as seed tubers?
I usually buy fresh ones from the gc, but if it's alright to use my own instead, then I will!
(for next year, obviously a bit late for now)

Hello indigox! Personally and in my opinion only, I would opt for fresh seed potato from a reputable source! I have had a terrible problem with a nasty virus this year and tomorrow will be digging up all my potatoes to be burned. But, as I said, that is my opinion only.

[indigox]

Hello indigox! Personally and in my opinion only, I would opt for fresh seed potato from a reputable source! I have had a terrible problem with a nasty virus this year and tomorrow will be digging up all my potatoes to be burned. But, as I said, that is my opinion only.

Oh dear, that's terrible, I am sorry to hear that!
I'll probably carry on doing as I do then and spend a few quid at the GC, I've not had any problem so far with viruses, touch wood.