Your tatties - saw a prog about the pros and cons, if I remember correctly, RHS said it doesn't make a difference. I still tend to, but what is the consensus of opinion - if indeed there is one.
I always do. I was talking to my dad the other week and he said he used to work for a farmer who always chitted and paid my dad and his mates to stand the spuds in egg box like trays but now they no longer do it....suppose cost is cheaper by not doing it. One year I didn't chit the potatoes because I was away on holiday and although I still had a good crop they were much later that when I chit. Horses for courses I think
If you chit them earlier in the year before planting then basically you have started to grow them prior to planting so they get a head start. In addition, you can check that the pants are growing healthily before you bury them in soil.
and I am probably in a minority and don't plant them till mid April in order to avoid the almost inevitable frost damage to emerging shoots that happens otherwise.
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chitted and already planted.
but Easter moves about over several weeks Sophie.
I plant mine ( Devon ) any time from March onwards.
When I grew up in SW Scotland my father insisted in having them in by the end of Feb.
So I presume you mean you always plant yours at the end of March.
If you chit them earlier in the year before planting then basically you have started to grow them prior to planting so they get a head start. In addition, you can check that the pants are growing healthily before you bury them in soil.
and I am probably in a minority and don't plant them till mid April in order to avoid the almost inevitable frost damage to emerging shoots that happens otherwise.
Research results have shown that chitting 1st & 2nd earlies gives an advantage over those not chitted.....no advantage was given to others.