Christmas tatties?

Should be ready by then

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/topics/christmas/3687843/Jesus-was-born-in-June-astronomers-claim.html

 

No need to chit. Only reason to chit, in Spring, is to get the tubers started before planting for the earliest of early crops ... and because they will probably be wanting to sprout then anyway, so it keeps the shoots short and firm, so they don't break off when planting.

But planting the tubers straight out, unchitted, is fine - particularly now when the soil is warm as they will get cracking PDQ.

You need to do it today though!! as 1st or 2nd week of August is pretty much the deadline for planting second crop spuds.

 

oooh, thanks Kristen. I'll get 'em ordered from Fothergills tonight. Looks like they only have Christmas 'tatoes on there now.

 

One last Christmas potatoes question, can you grow a variety for roasting or do they have to be new potatoes?

 

Would some of these work in a black plastic rubbish bin - new one, of course ? I fancy giving these a try and might just be able to get some from the Garden Centre 'down the road'.

'Lovely downstairs neighbour' has an 'unused greenhouse' that she might let me use, once the weather turns colder - especially if I offer to put some in for her at the same time ..........

 

Needs to be a First Early, or a Second Early, variety - i.e. something which matures quickly - main crop will take too long at this stage of the season. Other than that any variety would be fine.

 

Thank you both! I have some main crop in already so if they store well that should do me fine.

 

No, they'll only get to new potato size by then Lindsay.

 

Yep, i've done that

 

In addition to John's advice if you harvest on a dry day just leave them on the soil surface for a few hours. Hardens the skins before they get knocked together in the storage sack / bag. Don't leave them there for days though or they will all go green !