Is it too late to plant potatoes ?

Hi everyone , I put my name on the allotment waiting list a year ago and have just been allocated one.It has not been worked for four years so is well overgrown. I will clear it a little at a time and plant as I go. My question for the experts is can I still plant potatoes at this time of year? I am aware that they should be in by April for main crop but was wondering if the fact that I live in the Midlands and are usually a few weeks behind with the good weather if it would be ok.

 

Hi Tonyone...Give it a go mate...at the very least you will turn the soil over and begin the process of clearing the plot of weeds etc;

 

I hope its not too late. Mine haven't gone in yet. Personally I think it will be fine. They only take about 3 months to grow and I'd sincerely hope we can look forward to more than 3 months of growing season left this year.

 

I would definitely say go for it. After all, Marshalls sell "second cropping spuds" for following in straight after first earlys.

 

Thanks for the reponse everyone ,I haven't even bought them yet so does that leave me with a chiting problem or can they be set without bothering with that.

 

I cant even get any new spud seeds near me. If you have them in the greenhouse they will grow really quickly.

 

The chitting shouldn't be a problem, most seed potatoes that you'll find at this time of the year should have quite well developed eyes... they'll have been sat around for a bit by now. My first and second earlies were almost fully chitted when I bought them. Maybe give them a week in the sunny windowsill just to give them the best chance.
Try Homebase, their seed potatoes tend to sit around in mesh bags in bright light by the doorway so they will be well on the way already.
I don't think you're too late for a maincrop by the way, as you say the weather up there slows things a bit, so I'd say you'll get a good crop still. It might have to be harvested a couple of weeks later than normal, but hey ho.

 

Tonyone, it depends on what kind of potatoes you want to grow and what you want them for.

What you have to consider is potatoes are not frost hardy and if they get caught by a frost it will kill the top growth and they won't grow anymore.

So, it depends how many frost free weeks you have left and what you want to grow.

!st earlies only need about 10 weeks
2nd earlies need about 13 weeks
These will give you lovely salad type potatoes for using as you lift them, but might not store well if that's what you want.

Maincrop potatoes need about 22 weeks growing time. They don't need to be chitted. They will store well if you have a big crop. But you might be short of 22 frost free weeks.

You need to do the arithmetic and work it out for youself. You certainly have time to grow something. I would recommend Charlotte.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

See also

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/best-place-buy-21587.html?t=21587

 

Tony go for it, seed potatoes are still available from my local Homebase but if you go to your local one pay attention to what you are buying as most of the potatoes at our branch are rotten.

Don't be put off having a go at things as now the weather is warmer young plants/seedlings are growing crazy fast!

Good luck with your allotment and enjoy.Hel.xxx.