Potatoes in a cold greenhouse?

I have decided to grow some potatoes in containers this year rather than outside in the ground. I'm happy with the process and I have planted some 3 x 2nd earlies in big plastic containers with drain holes etc and am wondering if I can keep them inside a cold greenhouse?
The greenhouse isn't being used much this month and there will be ground space for quite a while until the foliage on other plants develops.

It is OK to grow potatoes in a cold greenhouse?
What are the problems - water obviously, anything else?
Should I move them outside at any particular time?

Many thanks
RobbieG

 

Hi RobbieG, the cold greenhouse will be perfect to start off your spuds - mine are 4'' tall already. Just keep them watered when the foliage begins to show through, give them a good soaking when the surface of the compost dries a bit, so every few days rather than small amounts daily.

I will move them outside once frosts have gone, usually around mid April because I need the greenhouse by then for my toms & peppers. I can always throw some fleece over them if there are any late frosts after that.

 

"I will move them outside once frosts have gone, usually around mid April because I need the greenhouse by then for my toms & peppers"

I expect the Potato plants will be happier outside too, once the Summer gets here??

 

Too right Kristen, I imagine the greenhouse will be too hot for them in summer . It's just that, for me, mid-April is when they have to go out.

 

Late March for first Earlies, Second earlies should be in by mid April. Dunno about Main crop, I don't bother with them! (And the rest are from memory, so add any appropriate scepticism please!!)

 

I had a look at the Marshalls & Unwins Gro-Sacks. Both £9.95 for 3 bags (or a bit more if you want them with seed potatoes too). [Although I note that Marshalls is £1 cheaper for Post & Packing]

The kits seem to come with 3 bags and 15 seed potatoes, so 5 per bag - seems to be quite dense planting ?

 

I have the marshalls ones with spuds and was thinking that too Kristen but am going to do as they say and will let you know how it works out.

 

Just read another thread where Capney was saying he thought it was too many ... I've succumbed and bought 3 bags and 5 x 3 different First Early spuds from Marshalls. Mouth is watering already ...

 

Hi guys.
General opinion seems to be the more you plant in any container the smaller the final potatoes will be. That is why I am going for four this year instead of five I used last year in the big black bin.
One thing I did last year was to water the bin every day, even if it rained. If I recall correctly between 6 and 9 ltrs every morning. That amount seemed to be just enough for water to flow from the drainage holes in the bottom of the bin.
This is the first year I am trying the Mashalls bags and the supplied potatoes. I think I am only going to use 2 tubers in each of the bags...
(still awaiting delivery)
If you would like to see the results from my first attempt last year to grow pots in a bin please go to GC video post below.
It shows the results of five potatoes ( not seed ) that I bought local for 30p or so and where so far gone they where no good for eating.
Not a fantastic return but the taste was so:gnthb:

Would be good if we can compare progree as we get into the growing season.
But, like everyone else, just cant wait to taste those first spuds.
:gnthb:

 

Just like me ... getting ready to tip it onto the terrace and then a little voice from the background "Have you got anything to tip it onto?" ... that'll be a "No" then, eh? :D

How much did you earth them up do you reckon? I presume you can kinda "keep going" in that regard?

I reckon that was an excellent result. Thanks for sharing.

 

:lollol:The little voice is indeed HID
Earthed up after about every three inches of growth until we reach the top of the bin.

 

"Earthed up after about every three inches of growth until we reach the top of the bin."

Sorry to be a pain, but how full / empty was the bin to start with? I mean, how much was the total earthing up depth - the amount I would need to leave "free" when I plant in my bin to allow for earthing up. I image, up to a point, one can "force" potatoes in this way?

 

Ok.
This year I have filled my large black plastic bin to about one third full before planting four tubers.
I shall start earthing up when they are about 3" so that just a little of the shoot is still showing. Then carry one in that way, earthing up until the bin is full.
In the sacks I am going for about 4" full before planting just two tubers and earthing up as above.
First time I have used sacks so will be interesting as the season goes on.
robert

 

I wonder if the Bin excludes light enough to make the spuds "stretch" as they grow, whereas the bag presumably flops down a bit and lets more light in? But I've no idea which is better ...

Mind you, I would have been well pleased with the crop you got!

 

I got Miricale grow potato sacks this afternoon and got 50p off each and it ssays to put 5seed tatties in them.

I got Edzel Blue and Catriona .

So do I put them on a seed tray first to chit them and can they stay first in an unheated greenhouse.