Feeding newly planted potatoes

[Babru]

OH has decided to grow some potatoes in a ton hessian bag that had gravel in it. He'll be planting them in bagged topsoil from the garden (which is under development).

This is the first time - ever - that he has grown anything!!!

I'm keen to help him make a success of it.

I've read that he should use potato feed when planting. Costs about £5 a box, but I'm wondering if there is an alternative that maybe I already have eg blood, fish and bone, growmore, sulphate if potash etc etc. My knowledge of the science is non-existent.

Any suggestions?

[greenishfing]

I stick some rotted manure under mine when I plant (free from local farm). £15 delivery if I want a massive trailerload

[Snadger]

If you already have growmore and BFB just use one of these depending on whether you want to grow organically or inorganically.

[Mr Bones]

In addition to what's already been suggested, seaweed (liquid feed, mixed into the soil or used as a mulch), or home made compost.

[Babru]

If you already have growmore and BFB just use one of these depending on whether you want to grow organically or inorganically.

I'm not bothered Snadger. I just want the potatoes to do well so he is encouraged to try things in the garden. Growmore dug in before planting sounds simple.

Do they need fed again?

[Snadger]

I'm not bothered Snadger. I just want the potatoes to do well so he is encouraged to try things in the garden. Growmore dug in before planting sounds simple.

Do they need fed again?

If you are using Growmore at the planting stage that should be enough. Hessian 'dumpy' bags will dry out quickly so you would need to keep on top of the watering.Maybe a bit of peat/coir based compost around each tuber would help to retain water to some extent.

[Penellype]

I start mine off with bfb in the compost then feed them when I remember (which usually works out at about 3 times during the growing season) with tomato feed. I dare say this is not the "correct" way of doing it, but it works for me.

[Bonjour]

My earlies are in 12" pots in the greenhouse. They are in last years flower tub and basket compost with some growmore added. Now they are up I'm earthing them up with more compost and watering with a weak liquid seaweed (homemade) feed.

[Babru]

Good thought about the hessian bag drying out. I'll donate last year's patio pot compost to mix round where the potatoes go in. And tomato feed I've got plenty of too.

[rary]

Babru as you are close to the sea collect some seaweed and mix that through your soil, or do the same as Bonjour and make your own seaweed feed to water your potatoes with, remember containers need regular watering the larger the container the less frequently you need to water
Also note that Mr. Bones recommends seaweed too

[Snadger]

Babru as you are close to the sea collect some seaweed and mix that through your soil, or do the same as Bonjour and make your own seaweed feed to water your potatoes with, remember containers need regular watering the larger the container the less frequently you need to water
Also note that Mr. Bones recommends seaweed too

If you are going to go down the seaweed route, you may as well grow International Kidney potatoes which are better known as Jersey Royals.
They are a second early which are lifted early to give smallish potatoes and should have that JR taste if seaweed is used as they do on Jersey.

[Bonjour]

If you are going to go down the seaweed route, you may as well grow International Kidney potatoes which are better known as Jersey Royals.
They are a second early which are lifted early to give smallish potatoes and should have that JR taste if seaweed is used as they do on Jersey.

That's exactly how I'm growing them. I put a 6" thick layer of seaweed on the potato patch back in October and left it there to suppress weeds until mid-February. Then I turned the patch over, noting loads of the fattest worms I've seen. Today, I planted the Int Kidneys by making a hole 6" deep with the trowel, 12" apart. the holes put the seed potato in direct contact with the partly rotted seaweed. I planted about 4 dozen in two rows 25" apart.

[Babru]

Too late on the potato selection, OH already has Pentland Javelin and Charlotte chitting on a windowsill.

I came home and he'd put them out, so I asked which was which. "That's one, and that's the other", he said. No label...doh!

Anyway, I'd been thinking about seaweed for the garden already. I'm from Prestwick originally (Ayrshire, same as rary), and my dad put seaweed on his garden for many years. Turned what was almost pure sand to start with into two foot deep of fabulous loam. Grew amazing veg.

Some under the potatoes would be a good plan.

[Bonjour]

Too late on the potato selection, OH already has Pentland Javelin and Charlotte chitting on a windowsill.

I grew Pentland Javelin in old compost bags with just plain soil a few years ago, They gave a decent crop and were delicious. I don't think you'll be disappointed.