second crop potatoes....when?

[Bill HH]

Potatoes are not frost hardy, and need warmth to grow. The OP was asking about growing them outside in a raised with a mere plastic frame over the top which is not the same as a polytunnel or a greenhouse. I personally think growing with the seasons and with the plants and their natural timings is actually quite a good thing. There have been tales on here of disappointment comes Christmad day and of money time and compost wasted on winter spuds.

You are quite right, its a risk, and all for a handful of spuds which you can buy quite cheaplly at the supermarket. Also I am in Torquay which is milder than most so less of a risk for me. But for me growing your own has never been about saving money. I estimate my total produce so far this year has cost me hundreds of pounds more than i could have bought it for. But much of that was initial start up costs, a green house, compost bins, bags of compost etc. Yet after all that there is still a warm glow to be achieved by digging up a handful of spuds at Christmas.

[zazen999]

You are quite right, its a risk, and all for a handful of spuds which you can buy quite cheaplly at the supermarket. Also I am in Torquay which is milder than most so less of a risk for me. But for me growing your own has never been about saving money.

Yes, I am afraid to say though that I have been modding here long enough to see too many disappointed people who paid out alot of money on what is essentially a marketing opportunity for the unsold spuds from spring. Call me cynical if you like. I'd rather people saved their cash and spent it on crops that are seasonal and will last the winter properly.