New Potatoes

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Jun 7, 2015.

  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Very pleased with the taste and yield of the early potatoes (var: "Rocket") this year. Planted 13th April, got just over 3 pounds from two plants grown in old recycling containers:

    20150607-WP_20150607_003.jpg

    20150607-WP_20150607_002.jpg
     
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    • Freddy

      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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      Nice one John :blue thumb:
      I assume you kept them under cover early on?
       
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Yes Freddy, that's the idea with these containers. They were in my unheated greenhouse for the first month - then they came out after what I thought was the last frost. I had to cover them with fleece a couple of times.
         
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        • Beckie76

          Beckie76 Total Gardener

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          :wow: They look good.....:dbgrtmb:
           
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          • Phil A

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            Nice one John :thumbsup:

            Will investigate mine at lunch time :)
             
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              Mine were just starting to flower.
               
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              • Phil A

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                Got flowers on the Mayan Glods, but not on the West Bay Royals :)
                 
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                • Phil A

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                  Had a furtle :biggrin: Got a few Mayan Glods :) DSCN1413.JPG

                  Cooked em up with some peas and last years salted tomatoes :) DSCN1414.JPG
                   
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                  • Mr Laybury

                    Mr Laybury Gardener

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                    We got 600g from three plants but they're back in the ground now to hopefully get some more. We used Winston and another variety. Not sure what they're like, they were 10p a go at rightway.
                    Planted ours on the 13th March, not quite so good a yeild as you've had then, but we are a good few miles north of you.
                    Also didn't pick any of the flowering ones, so that could also be a factor too. We have a few that are flowering. Should we go for those first as a rule of thumb?

                    Still a newb to this.
                     
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                    • Beckie76

                      Beckie76 Total Gardener

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                      I always wait for mine to finish flowering before I dug them up, but be warned don't leave them in too long because the slugs like them :mute:!
                      New potatoes from the garden with butter on them....what could be nicer! :)
                       
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                      • Phil A

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                        With new potatoes you want them young and fresh, water on the boil before you dig them up.

                        They won't store for long as the skins haven't hardened :)
                         
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                        • JWK

                          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                          Some varieties don't flower so it's a bit difficult to tell, but as a rule of thumb it's as good an indicator as anything. Try a root or two, or gently scrape away the soil and expose the tubers, they grow just beneath the surface.
                           
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                          • GYO newbie

                            GYO newbie Gardener

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                            Errrrrm. Which don't flower? I have been looking at substantial leaves for a few weeks. Are the flowers really obvious?
                             
                          • JWK

                            JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                            When did you plant them? Mine are "Rocket" planted 13th April so if your's have been in for a similar time they should be producing flowers, they are very obvious - you can see them on the top of the plant my first photo in post #1 (white flowers - but some have red). If your's have no sign of flowers and been in for a similar length of time?, then do the following:

                             
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                            • JWK

                              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                              Just found this photo on my phone for a better close up of the flowers:

                              WP_20150607_004.jpg
                               
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