Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

volunteer potatoes

nikki 7nikki 7 Posts: 111
in Fruit & veg
Hi folks
I have 'volunteer' potatoes coming up in my veg patch, as a result of last years crop.  They have started sprouting already!  If left, will they produce a crop next year - or must I dig them out now?
As usual many thanks for your replies.

Posts

  • nikki 7nikki 7 Posts: 111
    Thanks pansyface,
    I hadn't thought of that!  I think maybe I should dig them out, when the soil isn't quite so wet.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    The other thing you could try is to leave them alone and lift them when you are ready to start Spring sowing. You may be lucky and find a few nany potatoes.
  • nikki 7nikki 7 Posts: 111
     That's what I hoped to find!  The thing is, I don't have masses of space for growing crops.  I think I shall wait till Spring and see how affected the tops are by the winter frosts.
    Thanks again.
  • WhiterotWhiterot Posts: 51
    You need to get them out as they will be a nuisance next year. For the last month I have been digging them out of my early onion and garlic bed. Can you imagine the size of the foliage in a bed of onions ? This is particularly so if you have not got much room
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    I tend to leave them until I prepare the bed for the next crop in spring. Sometimes the leaves start growing again in spring. Usually I get a couple of helpings when I dig them out.
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,933
    The crop is never big but a few tiny new potatoes unexpectedly found in the compost heap or garden are always a treat at any time. Don't worry about the tops being killed off, if you just leave them they will continue growing underground. I inadvertently left a barrel of potato plants for 2 years before digging them up and was amazed at the size of the potatoes and the quantity.
  • nikki 7nikki 7 Posts: 111
    Once again folks, thanks for the replies.  I'll leave them and keep my fingers crossed for maybe a surprise!
Sign In or Register to comment.