Potato growing bags

[brewer]

storing the 'surplus'

I have read that you can store potatoes on layers of straw in a cool dark place. If this is right I have under floor space at home and wondered if that would do. the house is heated but that should go up. Where do you store excess.

[Peter]

Brewer, watch out for mice & rats if you go that way.
Unless you actually have a cellar I would not recommend using underfloor space, if you have it it is needed for ventilation.

I use an old dog kennel, basically a shrunken flat roofed shed, has door, wire mesh window, with hessian hung over it on the inside. Mice do sometimes get in through the wire, but I put traps around the outside with more attractive mouse food on them. It's nice and cool, but being against the house and fence does not actually freeze.

[andrewo]

I have read that you can store potatoes on layers of straw in a cool dark place. If this is right I have under floor space at home and wondered if that would do. the house is heated but that should go up. Where do you store excess.

You can do this in what the victorians called a clamp, dig a pit, fill with straw, potatoes in and more straw, then put in a tube for air circulation and back fill with earth to make a sizeable mound.

[Peter]

You can do this in what the victorians called a clamp, dig a pit, fill with straw, potatoes in and more straw, then put in a tube for air circulation and back fill with earth to make a sizeable mound.

The RHS Vegetable Gardening book has instructions on how to do this.
PM me if you want to see the relevant page, book seems to be out of print.

[Gary Livingstone]

hi all new to the forum i live in belfast got some Maris Peer seed potatos from t&M can anybody advise when should i plant them when the have chitted how big should the pot and how much sun i have a small garden. any advice gratfully received

[fiona b]

I hadn't really thought about growing tatties in bags/ bins but having scrolled through all the above posts I think I'll try it this year.

[Nicos]

Gary - difficult to say re your garden...but suggest about now is a good time to plant your spuds whether chitted or not. Suggest you keep away from sheltered areas from trees otherwise you will get loads of top growth and a poor supply of spuds. Look on 'search' as there is loads of info to help you on that. Other questions are very welcome! Oh and by the way....how do!!!

[sewer rat]

Gary - welcome to the 'Vine.
I agree with Nicos whether your spuds are chitted or not, I'd plant them now. There is a photo "how to grow tatties in pots" on the thread "growing tatties in tyres" - at least I think it's on that thread. What varieties do you intend to grow - thay can all be planted now but harvest time depends on the varieties and whether they are earlies or maincrop. Let us know and we can help you out.
My OH is from Belfast and is there this weekend for her Hen Night - she's probably blocked as I type .

[gawdambugs]

I am new to growing veg,etc but am definatley going to try growing tatties - however I need to ask a really silly question so I will apologise in Advance -SORRY!!!

What are tubers and if i grow them in a big container do I hae to cover the top of the container?

[bramble]

Hi gawdambugs, tubers are the seed potato that you plant inyour container..
No, you don't have to cover the top of the container. You just plant up your container, (if its big, like a half barrell ) put about 6 seed potatoes in it and cover with about 6 inches of soil. When the potatoes start to grow and come up through the soil you just keep earthing them up ( thats putting more soil into the container)dont cover the leaves.. Keep doing this until the container is full. This keeps the potatoes from going green. You should have no problem. Good luck and enjoy.

[sewer rat]

Hey Gawdambugs, welcome
There is no such thing as a stupid question - you don't ask, you don't learn, and we all learn all our lives.
When talking about potatoes, a tuber is a potato. The potatoes you buy to plant are seed potatoes and will be certified disease free. You can grow loads of varieties in containers - check out some of the other potato growing threads on the 'Vine for loads of info on growing tatties in containers - there is one which gives a photographic "how to" - think it's on the thread about growing tatties in tyres.
You don't need a lid on the containers either.
Any queries on anything at all, give the 'vine a shout and your fellow grapes will answer you

[remy]

Has anyone tried and had good results with growing celery???.

[smallblueplanet]

Tried growing a 'self-blanching' variety once - looked like celery, smelt like celery, tasted like cack!!!

[sewer rat]

SBP
Isn't that what all celery tastes like - I've always been dubious about any food that requires more calories to eat than it contains

[smallblueplanet]

Noooo! (Lovely in bolognese sauce (veggie stylee!))

Just noticed it was smelt - no wonder it was tough!