My method is to buy now and chit on egg trays. When shoots are about 2 cm long I plant into pots on a 5 cm bed of multipurpose compost then cover with same. As the shoots grow through each layer of compost just keep adding more until pot is full. The pots I use are the black supermarket used flower tubs, sold off cheaply at about 10-12 for .99p. (Morrisons). They are about 3 ltr size. I bought my Foremost seed potatoes yesterday, they are set up now and I usually pot up late February/early March and will take a crop of pigeon egg size tubers after 70 days. I must a add they are grown in an Unheated greenhouse before setting out under tempory covers of fleece and polythene in late May. I have been using this method for 40 plus years and it has never failed me. Try it, you shouldn't be disappointe.
I bought my early seed potatoes a couple of weeks ago and they were already starting to sprout. I have left them to continue chatting in an unheated greenhouse. what should I do now? Should I carry on and plant in growing bags?
Hi Ashdale. You mentioned planting in grow bags. Can I refer you to my blog of yesterday regarding growing in pots. If you can provide a totally frost free environment then plant up now and grow on in your greenhouse then lift outside into controlled shelter later, they should be growing well by then. Planting into outdoor soil in March can still be risky, at least you can cover more easily in an unheated greenhouse.
Thanks Runnybeak, my potatoes were already sprouting when I got them home from the shop. I thought I needed to carry on chitting them, which I am doing. Can I stop mid stream? nand start them chitin again in a few weeks time
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Bob is quite right of course, when I replied, I assumed this would have been done and was therefore applicable to haulms above the ridges.
My method is to buy now and chit on egg trays. When shoots are about 2 cm long I plant into pots on a 5 cm bed of multipurpose compost then cover with same. As the shoots grow through each layer of compost just keep adding more until pot is full. The pots I use are the black supermarket used flower tubs, sold off cheaply at about 10-12 for .99p. (Morrisons). They are about 3 ltr size. I bought my Foremost seed potatoes yesterday, they are set up now and I usually pot up late February/early March and will take a crop of pigeon egg size tubers after 70 days. I must a add they are grown in an Unheated greenhouse before setting out under tempory covers of fleece and polythene in late May. I have been using this method for 40 plus years and it has never failed me. Try it, you shouldn't be disappointe.
I bought my early seed potatoes a couple of weeks ago and they were already starting to sprout. I have left them to continue chatting in an unheated greenhouse. what should I do now? Should I carry on and plant in growing bags?
Ashdale depending on where you live it's a bit too early to plant your potatoes yet. I aim to plant mine around the middle or end of march.
In the midlands, i was told years ago, to plant early potatoes the 1st weekend after 21st March.
As a result of this I buy my seed potatoes in mid january and start chitting them in a unheated room of the house.
Thanks Ian I am pretty much on the same timetable as you. I will carry on and hope the potatoes don't sprout too quickly.
Hi Ashdale. You mentioned planting in grow bags. Can I refer you to my blog of yesterday regarding growing in pots. If you can provide a totally frost free environment then plant up now and grow on in your greenhouse then lift outside into controlled shelter later, they should be growing well by then. Planting into outdoor soil in March can still be risky, at least you can cover more easily in an unheated greenhouse.
Thanks Old Timer, I will follow your advice And grow them in bags under cover. I have some growing bags I can use.
Thanks Runnybeak, my potatoes were already sprouting when I got them home from the shop. I thought I needed to carry on chitting them, which I am doing. Can I stop mid stream? nand start them chitin again in a few weeks time