Yay - winter potatoes have arrived.

So excited - my winter potatoes arrived today in the post. I was more excited about this than the Next sale delivery. OMG - how a person can change in a short period of time.

Anyway - a couple of questions.
1) can I re use some or all of the compost that has been used this season to grow potatoes?
2) if so should I mix it with some new compost and also add a feed, egg shells, coffee, fish blood? I read somewhere that growing potatoes 'cleans' the compost. Can I therefore feed it and use it on my courgettes, onions, squash and radish that I am going to sow for autumn harvesting?
3) fancy growing these in big bins than the potato sacks I have been doing. Probably more sturdy against wind and frost. A dust bin sized bin ( like we had prior to the wheelie bin). How many potatoes could I put in each bin?
4) do I plant them all at the same time or can I stagger it a bit?
5) do this type flower as the current ones have to indicate they are ready?
6) can I grow a couple of each variety in a bin?
7) I think I also read somewhere that winter potatoes you don't bother chitting - is this true?

Crazy excited - providing my back holds out, I hopefully have a busy yet productive day ahead of me.

Thank you.

 

Thanks for your prompt reply. Surprised at few potatoes you would put in a large bin.

Excellent news about the compost. The used potato compost I will revive and used on carrots and courgettes. The used carrot and onion compost I have I will zhush up and use for the potatoes as well as adding in some new stuff.

Off to buy bins tomorrow from somewhere and will then plant them on Friday. At three per bins I am going to need stacks.

Thanks - more the merrier for Xmas by the way!