When are potatoes ready?

[Gryfon]

I can't remember! Not that I want to pick them now or anything

[sewer rat]

Early potatoes should be ready thirteen weeks after planting. Let us know what varieties you're growing and we can assist more

[Gryfon]

Good plan! Just checked with the one who knows everything (aka my husband) and he says we planted Anya potatoes!

[sewer rat]

Anya is a second early, so the rough guide of thirteen weeks from planting should get youthere. Lift one when ready and see what it's like - and decide on where to go from there. Good luck and hope your spuds are tops.

[Gryfon]

Ok thanks! Just got to remember when we planted them now

Now I know why it's a good idea to keep a record!

[sewer rat]

I started one this year but it sort of faded into oblivion with the wedding and other things that sort of got in the way. However I did note the date I planted my spuds out, so that was lucky.

[Jaxom]

You could always use the thread "What I did today" and post what you plant and when. Then you only have to search one thread for a reminder.

[Mucky Lizz!!]

Can I ask a question? What happens if you leave your tatties in longer than the e.g. 12 weeks? Some of mine are starting to flower, I thought that once the flowers have died out and the plants wilting and dying off that that was when they were ready? i have some earlies and main crops in too.

[sewer rat]

Hi Liz
How ya doin?
The twelve / thirteen week rule is not really a rule - more an indicator or guide - certainly no harm will come to your spuds if left a bit longer. The thirteen week only applies to earlies anyway, but the concensus of opinion seems to be have a root around under your plant and see what you've got before diving in with a fork

[Lesley Jay]

Mucky Lizz we only dig up the potatoes that we will use until our next visit to the allotment. The rest stay in the ground. I am sure they taste better when they are freshly dug up. The only problem can be the slugs. I must add though that I only grow earlies. When I grew main crop these were dug up, left to dry and then stored in potato bags.

[leona]

has no one been using the veg growers handbook that came with gyo? ive been writing in the notes area what ive planted each month,

[Kimbo]

I have planted charlotte are they are a first or second early - just says salad type on the packet? and when should these be ready planted them around 1st April

[Alice]

Hello Kimbo, as a rough guide your Charlotte will be ready about 13 weeks after planting. Mine have been in 13 weeks now and are flowering. I'm going to leave them til the flowers go past and the shaws start to die down. After 13 weeks have a dig around 1 plant and see what the crop is like. If good you can lift them and if not leave a bit longer. Good luck.

[Kimbo]

Hello Kimbo, as a rough guide your Charlotte will be ready about 13 weeks after planting. Mine have been in 13 weeks now and are flowering. I'm going to leave them til the flowers go past and the shaws start to die down. After 13 weeks have a dig around 1 plant and see what the crop is like. If good you can lift them and if not leave a bit longer. Good luck.

Thanks for that, I have some pentland javelin in too which are currently flowering will wait till the flowers have died off and have a root round

[Burnzie]

Hi, have you tried pinching off the flowers. The theory is that the plant will then divert all its energy into producing tubers instead of seed.

Tony