When to plant potatoes

[simoncpg]

I am a novice and completely confused about earlies second earlies etc.
Basically my plot will be cleared ready for use by march. To have a supply of potatoes throughout the year when would I have to start planting. Would I plant all at the same time. And what are the types I should try to start with.
Thanks to all

[Jeanied]

What part of the country are you in Simoncpg? I always aim to try to plant out my earlies and mains on Good Friday - a bit of old wives' lore which has worked for me in the past. However your location may be vastly different to mine - and who knows what the weather is going to be like! One of my lottie mates advised growing a succession of first earlies - quicker maturing, less likely to be wiped out by blight.

[FionaH]

Simon you already asked this Zazen answered and I put a link to the potato thread for you.
http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...tml#post596985

[Snadger]

I've just bought my seed tatties and will be planting some in bags in the greenhouse next weekend probably.
If they show above ground quickly i'll just cover them. They can stay in the greenhouse until fear of frosts are over then I'll give tattiemans idea a whirl and 'pocket' plant them in clumps in the usual way in a shallow depression.
After the tops have died off I can then bring them back into the greenhouse in there bags and just tip out a bag when I need some tatties......simples.......probably!

[nerdgas]

I've found tattiemans website invaluable for reading up on growing pots:

Scottish seed potatoes and organic growing potatoes - Buy seed potatoes from Jamieson Brothers Annan

[simoncpg]

Im in lincolnshire. Im still not quite up to speed with earlies etc it must be me. you plant them all at the same time then

[OllieMartin]

I've just bought my seed tatties and will be planting some in bags in the greenhouse next weekend probably.
If they show above ground quickly i'll just cover them. They can stay in the greenhouse until fear of frosts are over then I'll give tattiemans idea a whirl and 'pocket' plant them in clumps in the usual way in a shallow depression.
After the tops have died off I can then bring them back into the greenhouse in there bags and just tip out a bag when I need some tatties......simples.......probably!

What's the 'pocket' planting idea? I haven't seen this on tattieman's site.

[zazen999]

What's the 'pocket' planting idea? I haven't seen this on tattieman's site.

Have a s****h of some of Snadger's past posts.....it's a Snadger thing not a Tattieman thing.

[rustylady]

Im in lincolnshire. Im still not quite up to speed with earlies etc it must be me. you plant them all at the same time then

First earlies, earlies and maincrop refer to the time it takes from planting to maturity. i.e. first earlies don't take as long to be ready for harvest as maincrop.

[Snadger]

What's the 'pocket' planting idea? I haven't seen this on tattieman's site.

Sorry Ollie.........Tattiemans tatties are planted in fertiliser bags in rows. The only change I'me making to his suggested regime is I like to plant in odd numbered pockets of 3 or 5 or at the most 7 plants.
Every plant in my allotment is pocket planted 'cos I'm just an awkward git' and like to do things differently (and more naturally in my eyes!)

[growingkasbar]

I planted my potatoes last weekend and woke up to a frost this morning!!!! Will they survive it or shall i start again?

[Bigmallly]

I wouldn't risk planting spuds outside before march but then I am no expert.

[zazen999]

I planted my potatoes last weekend and woke up to a frost this morning!!!! Will they survive it or shall i start again?

Do you mean in the ground or in a bag in the greenhouse?

[growingkasbar]

In a bag.....on my patio. Which I am now begining to think was a mistake!

[Lazgaot]

In a bag.....on my patio. Which I am now begining to think was a mistake!

It depends on whether the frost has gotten through to the spuds and killed off the growing tips.

Last year I didn't plant mine till the end of March and whenever there was a risk of frost I just mounded up the soil over any growing foliage, it soon grows through again and survives the frost.