Tattys - help please

[Newbie]

Hi Folks,

I am in the process of planning my veg patch for the forthcoming growing season and appear to have got myself a bit carried away with my potato ordering

I've ordered:

Vales Emerald (1st Early)
Yukon Gold (2nd Early)
Sante (Main crop)
Pentland javelin (1st Early)

I have enough room for them all in the patch, however if i plant them all in there, there will be no room for the rest of my seeds! So i was wondering if anyone knew if any of the varieties would do better than others in containers? Also, i haven't entirely got my head aound the 1st early, 2nd early, main crop thing Does it mean they all go in at the same time & are ready at different times (i.e 1st earlies first etc) or does it mean the 1st earlies have to be planted earlier that the others?

I know i sound really stupid but, if i don't ask, i won't find out!

[Flummery]

Your 1st and 2nd earlies will do well in containers Newbie. I like to grow a few that way anyway, to get an earlier crop (I put the pots in the greenhouse for a bit of protection. It's not really worth planting maincrops in pots as they take up more room. You'll need to keep them well fed and watered for a good crop but it's a real way forward for people without much growing space. (or too many seed potatoes! )

[Newbie]

Great, thanks Flummery!
Will chicken manure pellets mixed in with the multi-purpose compost in the pot do the trick feeding-wise or should i be feeding them with something specific?

[wellie]

Chicken Pellets will do just fine and dandy Newbie. Good luck!

[dinky_doo]

i know what u mean with ordering to many spuds we got around 130spuds and my family keep getting more when they go to the garden center

i wish they would help to plant them

[Newbie]

Well last year being my first year i just had the spares from my brother (about 10 seed potatoes) and i had no idea what kind they were put they were all eaten so fast as were soo tasty i couldn't help but make sure i have plenty this year!

[moggssue]

[QUOTE=Flummery;175080]Your 1st and 2nd earlies will do well in containers Newbie. I like to grow a few that way anyway, to get an earlier crop (I put the pots in the greenhouse for a bit of protection. QUOTE]

Flum - HOW early do you put tatties in pots in the greenhouse? I have one for the first time ever (once the glass gets sorted), never thought of tatties in it?

Newbie - I grew a great crop of Maris Peer in big old compost sacks turned inside out last year, they were absolutely fine (think they're second earlies?). It's definitely a good way to grow potatoes IMO.

[Flummery]

I put them in the garden about Mid-march. I shall be putting a few in heavily lagged pots this weekend in the cold greenhouse. I've got some of that Industrial Grade bubblewrap - it came with some books I'd ordered (thanks, Amazon!) and the bubbles are about 2" a side. I reckon that the shoots won't come through for several weeks and I'll be covering them again with compost as soon as I see them. If there's a frost forecast later - April/May I'll drape them with fleece. Should get them a month earlier.

[moggssue]

Thanks Flum - we have bubblewrap in work, might see if I can 'borrow' some and give that a go myself, a month early has to be worth it.

[Cutecumber]

Yes, mid to end of February for greenhouse potatoes give them a good head start.

[Flummery]

I've just retrieved mine from the shed - impressive stuff! It's also worth dragging your compost into the greenhosue for a few days to let it warm up a bit. Every little helps as they say!

[Does the Cooking]

We liked Anya spuds from Sainsbury's last year. Where can I buy 'seeds' from and when should I do this?

[Cutecumber]

Most seed companies sell them but a specialist potato merchant is Alan Romans (he evens writes books on potatoes ) I bought my Anya tubers from them.

Seed potatoes are available from late winter until Spring. I ordered some in November and they arrived in January. I have previously found them in the garden centre in March, so it's worth having a look at your local one.

[Marthaclematis]

I've forgotton which way up the chits go... can anyone help?

[Flummery]

The end with the most 'eyes' goes upwards. Don't stress though - if you get it wrong they'll still grow upwards - just look a bit rum!