The Potato (obvious question no 3421)

[Gary66]

Now that my raised beds are multiplying like the things that are eating the things in my raised beds.... I was wondering, can I just stick in the little brown globes that you get in Tescos? I mean, they do tend to start sprouting in the fridge, so can I put them in the ground and hope they do the same there and give me a crop of the finest* maris pipers instead of buying seeding potatoes at vast expense? Obvious question 3422 will no doubt follow shortly...

[shirlthegirl43]

You should really only plant seed potatoes from reputable suppliers as there is a risk of disease otherwise. However, if you intend to grow in a container, the disease risk is not no important.

[zazen999]

Hi Gary
I am currently looking at 2 huge potato plants in bucket that have grown from shop bought potatoes where I just cut off the sprouts in March and threw them in the pots. I still ate the remainder of the original potato. If I even get one actual spud then it's been a success.

I have also still got one seed potato that was left in the bag when my OH planted out the main crop potatoes; that is going into the largest bucket I have in about 3 weeks and it will hopefully be my new potato harvest during the festive season.

[Alice]

Welcome to the Vine Gary. I see you're in Fife so if you buy supermarket potatoes from a Scottish grower (it will so on the bag) you'll be fine as they are disease free (that's where the seed potatoes come from).

[stressedoutmum2]

Hi I'm new to all this malarky too but, not realising the risk of disease, I planted some Marie Pipers from Tescos and some others too and all are doing beautifully - in fact we had our first little crop at lunchtime today - they were gorgeous and tasted all the better knowing that I had grown them myself. Take note of the disease risk though as I said, I'm new to all this and finding things out as I go. Good luck