What to do with my potatoes?

Can anyone tell me about lifting potatoes? I have a nice little crop of about 20 Maris Piper plants - I have lifted a few pots. from just under the surface and they were a good size and beautifully tasty. Now, the leaves are collapsing and starting to turn black with the wet (?). They're obviously past their best. Should I lift all my potatoes now, or just lift the big ones and leave the tiddlers in the ground to develop some more? Will they continue to grow if I cut back all the old leaves? This is my first year with veg. and I don't want to lose / waste half a crop!! Fields which adjoin my garden have potatoes in them and the plants all look very green and healthy still. I had intended to lift mine when the farmer harvested his, but I don't think I can leave them that long.

 

Hi Lindy. It SOUNDS like they might have blight. My guess is that you need to dig them all up as soon as possible. Cheers...freddy.

 

Lindy, it sounds as if your plants have blight, so do your farmer neighbour a favour and lift them now. Dig even the smallest out and, if possible, burn the halms, (plants).

 

Thanks, guys - I'm on my way! By the end of today all leaves and stalks will be on the burning heap!

 

Remember unless your local famer is growing organically he will have sprayed against blight with a pretty strong chemical, so judging yours by looking at his may not be relevant