Wondering if I can harvest the 1st Earlies

[carolefu]

Ok. I am wondering if it's too soon to harvest the first early potatoes. The flowers have appeared & the compost in the growing bags are relatively moist. I am like a kid at Christmas, as I want to have a look to see if they're ready. I should point out that there are 2 sacks of the first earlies

[annie8]

I haven’t pulled my potatoes up yet but have had a fumble and removed a few. The flowers have been going for a few weeks so far.

[mrmauy]

I harvested half a row of first earlies (planted St Patricks Day) last Sunday. Some had already reached a much bigger size than a typical new/salad potato. 5 plants gave me more than enough for a meal for 5 people.

It's worth having a prod around, or lift a couple of test plants, you may be surprised!

[carolefu]

I might pull up 1 stalk tomorrow , just to have a peek

[Snoop Puss]

^Rather than lifting a whole stalk, you could have a little dig in from the side with your fingers to check to see what size they are. If they're still too small, just cover them back up again and wait.

When did you plant them and what variety are they?

[Snadger]

I lifted one of my Charlotte plants today and although there were a lot of immature pea sized tubers there was also enough of a size that would give me and OH our supper with a bit of butter and mint on them.

[Bren In Pots]

^Rather than lifting a whole stalk, you could have a little dig in from the side with your fingers to check to see what size they are. If they're still too small, just cover them back up again and wait.

That's what I do as well Snoop

[mcdood]

I've been lifting my 1st earlies (Arran pilot) for a couple of weeks now, planted in the ground last week of March. They started salad potato size but the last few I've lifted have been much larger, as others have said have a furtle see what you've got.

[Mr Bones]

Have a furtle Carole, when did you plant them. I planted 14 Charlottes as an early gamble at the end of Feb, 12 survived and were lifted two days ago.

[Nicos]

That's what I do as well Snoop

And me!
I prefer to eat them fresh from the ground as the skin is so tender, so a few at a time is preferable for me.

[Nicos]

Nice crop there Bones!

[carolefu]

I planted the 1st earlies around April. But they had been chitted before I planted them in the sacks

[Nicos]

Have a furtle Carole...you know you want to!

[Nicos]

We planted our Charlotte spuds mid May if I recall correctly and we were able to eat some last week.
Not a huuuge crop though...just enough for 2 greedy peeps from 2plants.
But I know the others will be bulking up by the day.

[bramble]

I lifted some of mine from a half barrel that were planted around the third week of March.
I was well pleased with their size, Pentland Javlin.
I havnt touched the crop in the ground just yet.
Hoping to hold out for another week or two.