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Potato help

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Posts

  • Dan-CDan-C Posts: 30
    Hi, sorry to jump on this thread with my question but seen as though everybody here is talking potatoes I thought it would save a new thread being made, basically I'm new to gardening and growing fruit, veg and flowers etc, and just wondered if it's now to late to start off my own potato growing?

    Is there a kind of deadline where I should have already had them in or not? Thanks all.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,614

    If you can  still find some seed potatoes(maincrop) you will just about get away with it if you plant in the ground now. It's too late for growing  earlies in bags.

  • Busy Bee2Busy Bee2 Posts: 1,005

    Most people will have their potatoes in by now, but my advice would depend on what your situation is.  Do you already have some seed potatoes?  If so, I would say bung them in, they may come up a bit late, but you could probably get away with it.  If not, then you may have difficulty trying to source some seed potatoes, as the garden centres, DIY stores, homestores etc. would not aim to stock it at this time of year, BUT that being said, they are often selling it off cheap because they overstocked, and they can't hang on to it.  If you find somewhere selling it off cheap, look for the firmest potatoes, they should have some florets on them, or roots poking out.  None of them will be very firm by now - they will all be a bit cushiony, but if they have something growing out of them, you do stand a chance, but get a move on!!  Still, nothing much to lose if you get a bag of seed potatoes for 50p image

  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800

    Thanks everyone David, those spuds look great image So I presume I just keep topping up until the tubs are full and then let the laves grow like David's, how do I know when they are ready to harvest?

    No worries jumping on the thread Dan, I do it all the time image I can't help because as you've probably gathered, I'm new to this too but good luck image

  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800

    I forgot to say, I be been and got more compost and topped them up with a good couple of inches image

  • Dan-CDan-C Posts: 30
    Ok thanks for the replies, I'll get out tomorrow and see if I can find any bargains going and get to it!
  • OL - Yes top them up to the top, leaving room to water of course.....and they sure do drink a lot of water.

    'How do you know when they are ready to harvest?'....now there's a question that has occupied acres of space on this forum and others...truth is, it's a bit trial & error, luck and experience. For me I reckon mine are worth emptying a trial pot between 10 to12 weeks after planting.

    Perhaps we may have more words about it when yours are nearer their time. image

  • Orchid LadyOrchid Lady Posts: 5,800

    Oopsy......I can't remember exactly when I planted them and muppet me hasn't written it down, silly billy!!!! image

  • No expertNo expert Posts: 415

    Dan C if yiu can get some unwashed spuds in any shop they will do if you can't get seed spuds.

    Orchid you can hrvest after they flower.

  • FruitcakeFruitcake Posts: 810

    I've just come back from a two week holiday and my potatoes have gone mental! 

    We we planted them in bags. We have desiree, maris pipers and king eddies, and all of them are starting to flower. We filled them up before we went away and there is no more room to put more compost in. 

    How do I know when these are ready? This is my first tine growing spuds so I'm a bit blonde about I talk at the mo image

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