potatoe planting

hi caron, bob here from west hull site . about yr queery for pot,s its best if you keep them in a cool light place for a while avoiding anywhere which is likely to get frosted, if you are likely to get a touch of frost in storage spot cover them with an old blanket or something on a night . next month start the chitting by placing them in a tray or box with the eyes pointing upward ( usually the rounded end up ) all earlies go in about march with lates end of mrch /april. keep an eye on them if you see green tops thru the soil and there is a frost 4cast earth soil over them or cover over with fleece or manure if they get frosted and turn black, dont discard them they will bounce back but a little later hope this helps best wishes bob

Hi Karen

I asked a similar question on the BBC site - I live in the Lake District, and I was very surprised to be reading about people chitting their spuds in January, but I put mine in very late last year and they didn't do too well either. The responses I got were varied, but most suggested March - I got mine at the weekend and they are in trays on my windowsill - if the shoots start growing too quickly I'll move them to my zip-up greenhouse outdoors, but I'll have to watch the temperature - they can come in at night I think.
I don't think blight has anything to do with when you put them in - I have heard that it can exist in the soil, which is why you need to avoid putting spuds in the same place each year. I'v seen some some stuff in the Marshall's catalogue that is used to prevent blight, but I don't think it's compatible with organic gardening.

Sue

I would only plant out potatoes starting at the end of March with your earlies followed in April/early May with others. A good indication of when to start planting is to keep an eye on farmers fields when you see them planting potatoes then its usually safe to start planting yours.
The stuff usead to control blight is dithane 945, but just to let you know blight does not stay in the ground it is an airborne disease which usually occurs when the weather has been damp and humid and i am sure members will post when it comes on the scene this season. Dave

As in one of the other messages I got my plot late last year and had problems with my potatoes. After speaking to a few of the older allotment members, they said that I should of put in Charlottes as for some reason they catch up with other varieties if planted slightly later. One of the best growers from my set of allotments also said that you can have them as earlys but also leave them in longer untill they grow to chip size as they have good resistance to most problems.

Hi
I notice that you do not have any earlies - try some P Javeline or Rocket .
The way that I treat my spuds is to plant them all mid March , about 150mm deep and keep them on the flat , Earth up at about 150mm top growth and again at 150mm top growth .
Blight is airborn , usually comes from the south west . It does not survive in the soil but virus ( mosaic , leaf curl etc ) does , this is why they are moved about . This is also why you should only use Scotch seed , not leavings from the greengrocer which can also have eelworm as well as virus .
You may find that piper will get attacked by slugs . If so , dont grow it again , try Majestic instead as it is a good match for piper .
Regards Tom

I was a bit confused too, some of the books say keep them in a dark place, some say a light place. I've settled for a light place but not in direct sunlight as recommended by Alan Titchmarsh whose book I've found really useful. I'm 'chitting' them now in egg boxes, they're getting lots of shoots and I'm planning on planting mine over the next three weeks or so, earlies first and the maincrop in over Easter weekend, which everyone keeps telling me is the time to plant them out!

Hi

Very new novice here, can you tell me the difference between earlies and main crops? And how you know which is which please? As im finding this quite confusing

Thanks

Jodie

Hi Jodie,
The basic difference between "Earlies" & "Maincrop" is the time they are planted and the length of time before they can be lifted.
Planting
1st Earlies --- Early to Mid Spring
2nd Earlies --- Mid Spring
Maincrop --- Mid Spring

Start earthing up when young growth appears & earth up every 2 weeks until the tops touch between rows.

Harvesting
1st Earlies --- Early Midsummer
2nd Earlies --- Late Summer - Mid Autumn
Maincrop --- Throughout Autumn

Potatoes all have different characteristics, some are good boilers others good chippers, the choice is up to you and it,s a minefield.

If you have a local Allotment Association it would be prudent to pay them a visit and buy from them as they only stock varieties which will grow in the area, be guided by them they will really help. If you are not sure where your nearest allotment association is - contact your local council for information, they should be able to help.

Where you live also governs your planting time, for you in the deep South will be planting a good two to three weeks earlier than us up here in the "Frozen North".
Hope this helps
Dave G

Hi Dave

Thats a great help thanks, so just one more question do all varieties come in earlies and maincrop? ie maris pipers and jerseys???? Or are early and maincrop just thrases we use to descibe when we have planted them?? Does that make sense? I guess what im asking is can you plant any variety of potato at any of the above times?

Oh god why do i find this so confusing! I tried with a freebie sack and potato kit this year on my patio, dont ask me what variety they were but my god they were yummie :-)

Fully understand what you mean, it is confusing.
Earlies and Maincrop all have their own varieties;
First Earlies - SWIFT-ROCKET-MARIS BARD-PENTLAND JAVELIN
Second Earlies - NADINE-MARFONA-WILJA-ESTIMA
Maincrop - DESIEE- CARA-KING EDWARD-MAJESTIC-PENTLAND CROWN-PENTLAND DELL.
Not all potatoes are suitable for every district, so seek local advice (allotment association - other allotmenteers) before settling on a particular variety.
This year I grew Rocket as First Earlies and Maris Piper as Maincrop choice also a few Charlotte (Salad Variety) all with very good results. Our soil is very sandy here, being on a cliff top and dries very quickly so plenty of manure/grass cuttings when planting help with water retention.
Will probably stick with the same varieties next year but with more CHARLOTTES as they were special.
Dave G

Hi Jodie,
Have just done a bit of research into Allotment Associations and it seems that this means different things in sections of the country.
Up here in the North East of England an Allotment Ass. is a retail venture by allotment holders to supply seeds, plants,compost and general gardening needs to members at a value price. The people who run these outlets are usually very knowledgeable and more than willing to assist and give advice. The "AA" is also a great meeting place for gardeners and allotmenteers to discuss what grows best - how to teat carrot fly etc.
In the South of England I am lead to believe that "AA" are the people who manage the allotment sites - a diffent ball game, hence now I hope that you understand why I keep saying to consult your local "AA".
Helpful advice for you will now have to come from experienced allotmenteers on your site or neighbouring sites and of course from downtheallotment.
Regards Dave G.