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Potatoes - when to take off black plastic?

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  • #1

    Potatoes - when to take off black plastic?

    I've planted out my charlotte potatoes, and covered them over with the black plastic that was mulching the bed beforehand. How long do we think before I need to be checking every day to see if it needs to be taken off? I'll replace it with fleece at that point, but I had the plastic to hand and not the fleece when they went in, so...

    I don't want to grow them under plastic, I prefer to earth up etc.
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  • #2
    What can you see if you peek underneath?

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    • #3
      Er. Mud....

      I guess I'm asking what the safe margin of not peeking is...

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      • #4
        Presuming weather similar to here, last weekend toke black plastic off so could plant the second half with Charlotte and the Arron Pilot planted on 09/03/18 were no where to be seen on top but are rooting nicely as accidentally dug one up

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        • #5
          Well, I'd say, if there's not much happening underneath, you could leave it a while longer. You're going to have to keep peaking. One thing you don't want is for any new leaves to get nipped by cold. You're a fair way north. When is your last frost? Mine are still chitting...

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          • #6
            May sometime. According to the numbers I'm a couple of weeks early, but I managed last year with fleece. We've got family staying at the weekend and the weather doesn't look promising. I was wondering if I really needed to peek much in the first week or two.

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            • #7
              Ah, if it's only the first week or so, then probably no need to peek. Depending on how deep you planted them, it could be a while before they bust through the ground.

              Have a nice weekend.

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              • #8
                When did you plant them 1bee yesterday ?, if so you should be pretty safe for a good 3 probably 4 weeks depending how deep you put them.

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                • #9
                  Fab, Jackarmy, that's helpful. I planted them on 26th March, about 4 inches deep, so it looks like I'm good for at least a couple of weeks.

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                  • #10
                    These were planted in MFB's 9th March and just 'Lifted the lid' today.
                    They have been in a warm (12-15* under lights now)
                    I would think you will be safe for at least 3 weeks from planting date outdoors 1 bee.
                    keep a constant watch though as they will quickly perish under black poly once they reach the surface.
                    Gp
                    Attached Files
                    Never Let the BAD be the Enemy of the GOOD

                    Conservation and Preservation for the Future Generation

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                    • #11
                      Thanks GP.

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                      • #12
                        For info toke my plastic off and a few of the arron pilot have started poking through so will only cover for frost now. But bed in good order having missed the monsoon lately. Slight issue is think a long tail visited, suspect was warm on a cold night, next door chooks no doubt had visit too

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