Interesting I was going to plant some in sacks in the next week or 2 and start them in the conservatory until conditions outside warm up some more - is this a good idea?
I am trying to chit 3 different varieties with little success (maybe need more light or more constant temperature?):
Estima - started shooting last weekend but no more progress through the week with the cooler weather
Arran Pilot - started shooting last weekend but the shoots seem to be almost black - is that right or do i have a problem/
Red Duke of York - no sign of any shoots after a week.
My three varieties, Swift, Nadine and Desiree have been out for chitting since I bought them in January they have just started to show sign of growth and should be ready for the big planting day by the end of the month.
Someone on our allotment is planting 1st earlies next week. He suggested digging a 9inch trench then covering with 6inch of soil. I'm waiting till the end of the month.
It's ok planting early but what always worries me is that if we have a prolonged period of late frosts it's a pain to keep trying to protect the growth above ground whereas the frost won't affect the later planted tubers which are still below ground. Not that I envisage any serious late frost this year but who knows.
Here in Cornwall I planted my Accent potatoes in five sacks on the 12th of February and they are all now sprouting above the compost. If the weather turns frosty I shall drape a large 30gm fleece I have over them. Other allotment holders around me have just put their potatoes in the ground, which is about right for the time of year down here.
The Apricot (covered) and Blueberries are just coming into flower, the black and red currants are bursting with bud, as are the pear trees and my Sturon onions, Bijou sugar peas and Charmette petit pois are galloping away. So pleasing to see signs of life instead of just bare ground.
Thanks for that Welshonion - I haven't done spuds before and all the stuff I have found says that the shoots will be 2cm long after 2 weeks, hence my need to find out the truth - i.e. they will really take as long as a piece of string....
Next - how cold should I keep them? I have brought the conservatory up to 15 - 20C to get some seeds started, is that now too hot for chitting? If so I can move them to a spare bedroom windowsill (no heating in there).
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Isn't everybody a long way from Tipperary.
I used to live in London in the 80's 90's and have cousins in Wolverhampton. Good day for us in Cheltenham.
Interesting I was going to plant some in sacks in the next week or 2 and start them in the conservatory until conditions outside warm up some more - is this a good idea?
I am trying to chit 3 different varieties with little success (maybe need more light or more constant temperature?):
Estima - started shooting last weekend but no more progress through the week with the cooler weather
Arran Pilot - started shooting last weekend but the shoots seem to be almost black - is that right or do i have a problem/
Red Duke of York - no sign of any shoots after a week.
Any ideas?
My three varieties, Swift, Nadine and Desiree have been out for chitting since I bought them in January they have just started to show sign of growth and should be ready for the big planting day by the end of the month.
Someone at my allotment was planting hers out today! Mine can wait until next weekend
Someone on our allotment is planting 1st earlies next week. He suggested digging a 9inch trench then covering with 6inch of soil. I'm waiting till the end of the month.
It's ok planting early but what always worries me is that if we have a prolonged period of late frosts it's a pain to keep trying to protect the growth above ground whereas the frost won't affect the later planted tubers which are still below ground. Not that I envisage any serious late frost this year but who knows.
Here in Cornwall I planted my Accent potatoes in five sacks on the 12th of February and they are all now sprouting above the compost. If the weather turns frosty I shall drape a large 30gm fleece I have over them. Other allotment holders around me have just put their potatoes in the ground, which is about right for the time of year down here.
The Apricot (covered) and Blueberries are just coming into flower, the black and red currants are bursting with bud, as are the pear trees and my Sturon onions, Bijou sugar peas and Charmette petit pois are galloping away. So pleasing to see signs of life instead of just bare ground.
Thanks for that Welshonion - I haven't done spuds before and all the stuff I have found says that the shoots will be 2cm long after 2 weeks, hence my need to find out the truth - i.e. they will really take as long as a piece of string....
Next - how cold should I keep them? I have brought the conservatory up to 15 - 20C to get some seeds started, is that now too hot for chitting? If so I can move them to a spare bedroom windowsill (no heating in there).