Potato Growing 2023

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Jan 1, 2023.

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  1. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I'd say tiny potatoes growing from last years crop
     
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    • Ellis Dura

      Ellis Dura Apprentice Gardener

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      Oh, thank you! Do you know why they or so spread out and/or why they don't have any roots?
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      This year's potatoes won't have any roots, they grow from underground stolons from the mother tuber. Likely the mother tuber has rotted away.

      Impossible to say why they are so spread out, maybe the previous owner had a veg patch there
       
    • Ellis Dura

      Ellis Dura Apprentice Gardener

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      Thank you! That's really interesting. The previous owner did grow veg, certainly marrows and tomatoes.

      If I put the tiny potatoes bck in the soil will they grow?
       
    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      The time for sowing potatoes is next spring and to be honest you need bigger 'seed' potatoes, which can be bought from garden centres etc.
       
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      • Cordy

        Cordy Super Gardener

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        @Ellis Dura, you could try Sarpo Mira variety of seed potato.
        2 chicken egg size seed potatoes in this 30 litre plastic pot produced nine pounds 4 ounces.
        planted April 1st -- harvested today -- some will be eaten this very evening.
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        • Ellis Dura

          Ellis Dura Apprentice Gardener

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        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I'm going to try another maincrop variety next year Sarpo mira are nice as roasties but break up when boiling for mashed.
           
        • pete

          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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          Wandered to the potato shop this morning and bought a bag of PFA as I'd eaten all mine, tried a bag of La ratte to see if I like them and worth growing next year.
          The Morghew Shop - Morghew Park
           
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          • pete

            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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            Does it matter that they break up if you are using them for mash?:smile:
            I dont like it when they break up and I'm having them boiled.
             
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              They turn into slop very quickly and I don't like sloppy mash.

              I found a recipe online how to microwave them and it has worked a treat. Basically cut the potatoes into quarters and microwave at full for 12 minutes, then mash.
               
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              • pete

                pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                The microwave means you are adding no extra water I guess.
                 
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                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                  My daughter wasn't too keen, she said the consistency was like Smash. I always liked Smash.
                   
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                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    • shiney

                      shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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