International Kidney Question

[FionaH]

Ive just put my spuds out to chit, International Kidney (Jersey Royal) and Harmony. This was with a view to planting in March. However just noticed on the packet that International Kidney wants planting in April! Has anyone grown them? Can I get away with planting em in March?

[mogs]

I grew International Kidneys last year and planted them in mid March, disappointing crop, but did grow in bags

[jacob marley]

If the ground is warm enough i do not see why you cannot plant them in march if they have a bit of shelter they should be ok i plant all my spud's in march the earlie's have some frame's each side of them some form of thickish polythene that came of main frame computor door's about 18 inche's high without the top's on then the rain can do it's job hope it work's for you..jacob

[GreenPete]

It all depends on the weather, and who can tell what it's going to do in this country. It's the growing tops you have to watch to make sure they don't get checked by frost. If they do it won't kill the potato plant, it just sets it back a bit.
I've heard of people putting their potatoes in before Christmas a little deeper than normal to give them an early start. I haven't tried it myself but you know if you miss any potatoes when harvesting they have no problem coming up the next year.
If your soil is warm enough and workable then putting them in in March should give them a head start.

[Snadger]

International Kidney (Jersey Royals) are a maincrop potato that are lifted whilst still in the 'green' in Jersey. If left to mature they make massive potatoes as you will probably find by the size of your seed potato's!

It depends on what part of the country you hail from and if you want 'new' potatoes similar to Jersey Royals (plant early) or if you want to let them mature (plant later)

[FionaH]

Cheers All
The seed pots are quite small to be honest Snadger. Im on the Surrey, Sussex Hampshire borders so quite south but high, still get some lateish frosts. I will just stick em in and see what happens. They will be in bags so I spose I could stick em in the greenhouse to start with? Then make my son shift em out later Gotta make him pay for those driving lessons somehow.
Thanks again for the tips
Fi