Too late to plant potatoes?

Hi all. :thumb:

I'm new to this growing your own malarky and have just built a new greenhouse yesterday. I'm planning on growing some potatoes in containers if that's at all possible considering the time of year??? If so what kind should I look out for?

Also, the Mrs bought a couple of bags of new potatoes a few weeks ago. One bag never got used and the potatoes have shoots on them. Is it possible for me to plant these? The are "Nicola" poatatoes.

 

Shove them in a container Rod. No it's not too late. Wilko's are selling off chitted (showing shoots) pots at the moment if you have a branch near you. Well worth buying.

 

Nice one :thumb: Are there any other varieties I could buy which will grow?

 

Most varieties will grow it's just a matter of best results for the season. We have now left the earlies (but you can still get away with them) and are into mid season. Just ask for mid season and say whether you like floury or waxy etc. Then later you get late season ones. Unless you are really specialist then just buy them at a chain store or (more expensive) your local Garden Centre. If this is your first year I wouldn't try to specialise too much All home grown taste better than supermarket stuff. Just enjoy it.

By the way, how did you put up a greenhouse yesterday? Mine took two of us over a week.:D

 

:thumb: The Nicola potatoes that were in the kitchen have white shoots on them. Will they turn green if I leave them in an egg box in the greenhouse?

As for the greenhouse itself. I cleared a patch of lawn and levelled it off on Tuesday morning, then in the afternoon I built a timber framed base, built the greenhouse base and assembled the frame. Then yesterday I put the polycarbonate in it. :D Quite pleased it's up, it's an 8x6 Palram one from B&Q. Looks alright, was a bit disappointed when I saw the polycarbonate though. Only 1mm thick. :eek:

 

Rod, just replied to your tomato query. A word of warning here though. If you are growing your toms in the g/h DO NOT grow your potatoes in there as well.:thumb:

 

Why is that Dai? :confused:

 

Tomatoes and potatoes are related, so any problem you have with one crop will be passed on to the other. Also, if you smoke do not do so in the greenhouse as they are also related to the tobacco plant and this can pass on tobacco mosaic virus. And for that reason, if you smoke make sure you wash your hands before handling these plants.:thumb:

 

No fears there Dai. I detest smoking. So I can't even have the potatoes in a container at the other side of the GH? Then again, I suppose they'll be alright outside.

 

Rod, your spuds will be fine outside in containers. There is one slight problem though. Moneymaker tomatoes are for outdoors, too.:eek::D

 

:eek::eek::eek:

You're joking? There's nowhere outside for them. Will they still get by in the greenhouse? Man alive. You can tell I'm a novice. Saying that. At least I could tell which ones were tomato plants at the nursery. My old man took 9 melon plants to the counter. :D:D Thinking they were tomato.

 

Rod it`s not really a problem. You CAN grow them in the greenhouse, just make sure they are in the cooler area by the door.:D

 

Rod. It becomes easier - honest. The potatoes should certainly be outside. The tomatoes you will get away with in the g.house as long as loads of insects can get to them for pollination. So leave the door open on warmish days.

 

What's peoples opinions of the "Tomato Turbo Collection" available from Suttons??

http://www.suttons.co.uk/pd_251586.htm

 

Damn! I posted that on the wrong thread! :rolleyes: