Christmas Potatoes

Just finished planting 65 autunm sowing potatoes; I'll be amazed if they come to very much but at least it's better to look at than a sea of weeds. Anyone else risking a crop?

 

I'm going to try some in buckets in my polly tunnel

 

Good luck Dan!

 

Are they seed potatoes you bought as "Late crop", or ones you kept? The reason I ask is that I think that Spuds take 60 days (or something like that) from harvest to re-sprouting, and thus it is neigh on impossible to harvest a First Early crop in enough time to include the resting period before re-planting for a late crop.

 

They were boughr as "Christmas" potatoes, the blurb says 12 weeks from planting to the harvest... we'll see, watch this space

 

I popped some in 2 weeks ago just 9 same blurb as yours Andrew they have broken the surface all ready so I don't see a problem hopefully. Might chuck some straw on or some thing if we get a cold winter which is unlikely

 

I've planted mine in pots about two weeks ago and they have broke the surface i intend to put 4 inch of soil on top today and then again when they come through that.

 

Sounds about right, First Early varieties of Spud are 8 - 15 weeks, but I would expect less time in the Warmth we have now, compared to Spring. I leave mine in their bags (moved to somewhere frost free) after they die down until I'm ready to use them. If you are likely to have trouble with mice etc. you might be better to harvest them.

Growing outside I'm not sure when I would harvest ... as New Potatoes they will be better cooked soon after harvest. Perhaps they can be left in the soil? Plenty that get left behind come up the following year without any trouble!

 

I too am give them a go put some in Sunday in big buckets they are out side till the frost then I will stick them in the polly

 

Ive just bought some charlotte tubers to plant, hopefully get some new spuds pre xmas

 

I was given some unsold seed potatoes from our allotment site 7weeks ago,they are growing fast and are in flower,going to have a look under them to see what they are like next week.
We call them June jumpers,hope they are as tasty as my other crop of new spuds.

Ian

 

Fingers crossed for you Ian. Mine are still hiding underground

 

Re my potatoes I called June jumpers,I tried some today and they are just right for new potatoes, about the size of a golf ball10 to 15 per root.
I was given some more today so going to try then in pots,will transfer them to the greenhouse when I get some room,I am hoping to get a few new potatoes fro Christmas.Fingers crossed.

 

Good luck,mine are 6 inches above the earth and I have about 8 pots