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Charlotte potatoes flowering

WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
in Fruit & veg
So I've had Charlotte potatoes in compost bags for about 8 weeks they have been in the greenhouse the whole time and the tops are like triffids. Yesterday I noticed flowers appearing on them which I thought was very early, does this mean they should be ready to harvest ? do I need to rush to harvest ? Can they be happily left in the bags to use as needed ? Lesson learned again to keep a track of planting dates 🤣

Posts

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    I take flowering as meaning that there may be small tubers ready, but the longer you wait the larger they will get.  I treat my 2nd earlies like maincrops and don't harvest them until the tops die off to maximise the crop.  Basically, it's up to you if you prefer to harvest them as little tasty new potatoes or leave them to grow to full size (which taste almost as good anyway.)  You can also gently root around and take a few tubers while leaving the plants intact and growing.
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    Thanks @BobTheGardener will have rummage in a bag and then harvest as required, think I'll move them out of the greenhouse now as well to make room for the tomatoes. The warmth of the greenhouse has certainly meant an early crop 
  • WilderbeastWilderbeast Posts: 1,415
    @BobTheGardener I had a look and out of the 1st bag just below the surface I found this beauty 
    Hopefully plenty more in there. I'm a happy bunny these are the 1st potatoes I've grown in a garden in about 40 years (I am only 44) when I did it with my late dad. I did manage 300 acres of potatoes on a Nottinghamshire farm half a lifetime ago but wasn't this excited about them 
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