help

[newtogardening]

hi im new to all this gardening stuff iv just planted some little salad potatoes but have no idea when i can harvest them or what i need to do can anyone help me im keen to learn julie

[smallblueplanet]

Where abouts did you plant them? They should be between 10-13 weeks depending on what variety of salad potato. Some salad spuds are 1st earlies (ready to harvest maybe 10 weeks or so) and some are 2nd earlies taking a couple of weeks longer.

[Paulottie]

Welcome to the Vine.

Earlies/2nd earlies can be harvested after they flower...as SBP says about 11/12 weeks. There will be lots of comments on it at that time, so don't worry.

Do you have a variety name for us?

Also fill in rough location in the user (CP in green task bar at the top) it helps us.

[newtogardening]

Hi i planted in a potato planting bag and i think they are charlotts im not sure

[Paulottie]

OK, a good classic choice of waxy salad spud and a first early. so you should expect some toward mid June. I don't know what a spud bag is- but I'm assuming grow bag? you would put two or, at a push three, in each. They are going to need quite a lot of water when they get going. Have you got them in a glasshouse or outside? Once the haulms(green leafy topgrowth) are up they need to be protected from frost. Also you may need to add a bit more soil on top of any spuds when they start to swell(sunlight makes spuds green-poisonous)

Your doing great, don't panic its fun you know!

[newtogardening]

hi thank you for helping me out yes its a big deep grow bag .have them outside i was told to put some composte in the bag not half way put in 5 spuds and cover with more composte iv also put plant food in the bag and some gel things that hold water . Have i done the right thing ?

[Paulottie]

Sounds fine so far. As I say keep some fleece/ old towel /newspaper handy and when you see the shoots watch the weather forecast and cover them if there is to be a frost...jobs a goodun then!

[newtogardening]

thank you for your help can i ask you what do i look for when there ready to havest how do i no ?

[Alison C]

Hi there and welcome to the vine, Im new too and Im finding it an absolute goldmine of advice.

Originally posted by newtogardening
thank you for your help can i ask you what do i look for when there ready to havest how do i no ?

Your charlottes should be ready in 10-12 weeks and about 2-3 weeks after the plants have flowered. But any time after flowering they will be ready.
Good luck

[Flummery]

Be warned that not all varieties of early potato flower! You can be waiting forever. If there's no flower after 12 weeks they're probably ok to lift - especially if you haven't let them go short of water in the last month or so. Have a fossick around in the soil and if you can feel anything worth eating, have 'em out!

[si'sraisedbed]

[QUOTE=Flummery;206552] Have a fossick around in the soil [QUOTE]


Whats a fossick??

[Flummery]

Sorry - it's a term I learned when I did a geology degree in the last century! It means to rummage around. You do it on spoil heaps where minerals are mined. Rummage under the soil and you can feel your new potatoes when they are ready. If you can't, hold off for a week or two.

[Alison C]

Originally posted by Flummery
Be warned that not all varieties of early potato flower!

OOOOOh! Didnt know that. Great tip. Thankyou!

[mclarenpitcrew]

Agreed. Didnt know some may not flower. Any clues as to which ones?
Thanks anyway

[Paulottie]

Flum sure we had this chat last year. The best verb was definitely 'Furtle'