Polythene

Hi,

We've just started chitting potatoes (King Edwards and Cara) and I was thinking of putting some polythene on the soil to get warming it ready to plant out in April, assuming this cold snap ever ends - do cut up black dustbin bags do the job, or so I need something more substantial?

 

thicker the better imo, also you dont want seams. you can start them off by planting thru polythene, wot about the stuff you get to lay below patios and paths.... its dark, porous, and fairly cheap

 

I've used salvaged bubble wrap in the past to warm the soil for my earlies and to cover them until they've grown a few inches. It certainly advanced the covered rows by a good couple of weeks.

 

Or frost fleece.

 

Deserter, King edward and cara are both maincrop pots. They are not usually planted early as far as I know, as they take longer to mature.
You really need a "first early" if your after some "new pots". If your not, then chitting and warming the soil is unnecessary.
Its just a thought.

 

Thanks Pete, bit late now, they're in the box! I probably won't bother warming the soil, but will leave as long as possible before planting out, we're in no hurry, as long as we get some potatoes at some point this year that will do me for now!

 

have just got some seed potatoes and was told to put in egg boxs to chit there reds dont remember the name when you say chit do you mean the green type shoots and how big have these got to be and when is the best time to plant out

 

on T&M's site, they have a chart to show what to plant when - http://potatoes.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/growing_potatoes/index

 

the shoots on my potatoes are already 3/4 inch long . they ve been in sunlight for 4 weeks, i ll plant earlies in a fortnight i like shoots to be fat and less than 1" long,
chitting is the general process rather than the name of the shoots, i think

[ 12. March 2006, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: Lady Gardener ]

 

Is it only main crop pots that flower?
I planted second early's last year, no flowers but a reasonable crop of pots. :confused:

 

i m not too sure about flowering, i think its varietal / breeding not early/maincrop, obviously early varieties mite flower if left in long enuf

 

I've noticed some types drop their flower buds, others go on to flower and even get fruit.