The Tatties Thread 2020

Hi, I'm new and think I've found the best thread...I planted some seeder potato's about 10 days ago. I think I have some shoots, it's in a pot and I'm intending on adding compost to 'earth up' is now the right time or do I wait a little longer? Thanks for any help

 

Do you know what variety they are?

If the are First Earlies I would earth them up right away ... First Earlies are shortest season (planting-to-harvest) so don't spend a lot of time thinking about stuff, so better that the shoots are under soil from the outset

If they are 2nd early or mains then not so much rush - but no particular reason not to cover them straightaway

If they are outside then they won't tolerate any frost, so typically folk delay earthing up so that the shoots are not forced, and there is some soil and height available to cover the shoots if frost is forecast.

if it was me, and given they are in a pot, I would earth up when I planted them ("now" in your case ) and I would bring the pot in for the night if frost is forecast

 

Thanks, yeah got three types of main crops, in tubs do I can move them in. I put four seeders in each to see what would happen. Cheers, ill add another inch or two of compost

 

I was thinking of using a couple of old compost bags to grow spuds. Never grown them before so I guess this is a dumb question.
I have a bag of Albert Bartletts from the supermarket which are sprouting. In the current climate, I can`t go browsing so can they be used?
I guess I can get proper seed pot`s delivered but only really need half a dozen tubers so don`t want to buy a Kilo and waste most of them.

 

Only half of mine are seeders. I also figured as I had some old potatoes sprouting I'd give them a shot. Planted 4 in each tub, hoping 25% would work

 

As space is at a premium, I’ve only got three rows of three. I wasn’t able to get my favourite, ‘Arran Pilot’, so opted for ‘Foremost’ (first early). I normally only ‘Earth up’ when frost is forecast, or to keep off the light from the spuds. Frost has normally dictated the earthing up, but is this something that should be routinely done?

 

Thanks John.

For some reason I`d thought not possible, so am going to have a go. I`ve a couple of bags of MPC and manure sitting around waiting to be used anyway.

Andy.

 

So checked on my potato tubs, the largest one had sprouting again, so earthed up another 2". So that 25ltr tub is up to 10" now.
The other smaller 20ltr tubs I haven't seen any sprouting, these were with the seed potatoes. So I'm leaving them.
My question is, can I keep earthing up until the 25 ltr tub is full and would this get me more potatoes? They are all main croppers

 

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Thanks!

 

Only growing 2 varieties this year, Charlotte because you just cannot get a better spud straight from the ground into the pot (No, the pot doesn't follow me when harvesting) and Old Faithful Cara which will be left to die off, left in situ until Christmas and Jan 1st (my birthday), would have liked to grow more but we are in a transitional period, house sorted first then garden!