Tatties

Do you guys cut off the tops of your tatties and then wait a week or so before lifting? My local farmer tells me this helps with longer storage of the crops as the tatties " harden up"

 

I don't cut the tops off as the tubers will still be absorbing nutrient from them but I do leave it a couple of weeks after they've died back for the skins to harden before lifting

 

My main crop is Pink Fir Apple and as I only have room for a dozen in grow bags this year, I shall harvest and eat as required, so won't be cutting them back myself, just I've never done the top removal thing myself in the past. I don't follow all the professionals ideas, for example in some parts, the tops are sprayed with diluted acid to kill off the tops, I don't fancy that idea.

 

Only time I would cut the tops off is if they get blight. The tubers can keep in the ground till needed then.

 

I have started to remove tops once they are obviously no longer photo synthesizing and the tatties get lifted as I need them. I have just taken the first plants tops off and will lift them for eating for the weekend.

 

Childish I know, but I couldn't resist posting a photo of this bum shaped one I dug up this morning.

 

I have a bit of scab on my first ones from the first grow bag, I believe this is due to the compost being too dry, luckily it doesn't affect the eating qualities and they were delicious.

 

Wilting drew my attention to a plant with some stem rot, so pulled it out and this was the biggest at 1lbs 8ozs. Hoping for some 3lbs+ spuds for the Aug BH Village Show, only 5 weeks to go. Mrs Scrungee is looking forward to some mammoth jacket spuds in September.

 

Left them longer. Pretty damn chuffed considering I'm a spud ( and pea) virgin

 

Thanks, got a 3rd of the bag left to dig up hope there's enough for Sunday! Will be boiling these bad boys, don't you worry

 

I was furtling around under my plants looking for small tubers to remove (so the big ones grow even bigger) when I thought I'd found a small one pulled it out only to find it was a knob on top of one that was nearly 2lbs

 

Funky spud Scrungee and I'll remember your tip for next year..
Here's rest of mine, bit gutted I didnt do another sack or 2. Quite happy with what I had though

 

Blight has spread to mine. Sprayed them this morning, they're just flowering so should get something