spuds

[dinky_doo]

hello new to the allotment game am gonna be planting lots of spuds next year
do i have to "chit" them before planting and when do i plant them

[nick the grief]

OH no not the Chitting debate again

You can chit them DD if you want, My friend never bothers & it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

Planting times, a lot depends on your ground & when your last frost is. If it's heavy clay well you want to wait for the soill to start & warm up a bit otherwise they'll just sit there & do nowt.

I never bother till end of April for my earlies & early May for the maincrop. I know the earlies are late for a lot of folks but I grow about 6-8 tubs of them at home in the greenhouse any way so it's not a problem for me.

Some of the guys on our site plant in Febuary & then moan when the frosts catch them in march/april !

[dinky_doo]

cheers nick
jason

[nick the grief]

I guess you'll have a fairly mild clinmate up at Preston won't you Jason (my wifes folks live in Southport & they don't have too many frosts so you may get away with a bit earlier than me as my plot is nearly 600'asl but is well drained soil.

[Lesley Jay]

I don't know about that Nick. We are in Cheshire and always get hit with late frosts. I usually plant my potatoes around the 3rd week in April.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi everyone! I think the weather in Southport is a little milder than upt'ere in Preston. Southport is known as the best area for home grown veg, especially lettuces etc. and there are lots of polytunnels/greenhouses etc.
Anyway - DD try the following website: http://www.seeds-for-success.co.uk or check out this member on the grapevine. Adam has produced some brill, basic info (my level!) on various topics including potatoes - good luck! dexterdog

[bramble]

Hi Dinkydoo, My father always planted his potatoes (first earlies) out as near as possible to St. Patricks Day ( 17March) and i do also. It works for me and never been caught out with frost. Only thing that stops me is usually the ground can be too wet. Otherwise fine. Good Luck whatever you decide.

[User Removed]

dexterdog, my site is http://www.seeds-for-success.co.uk/i...s/Page3947.htm that is where my guides are

[Alice]

Professional growers (farmers) don't chit anything. I chitted my Charlotte in February to grow in tubs and they did great. I planted other potatoes - Nadine, Rooster - without chitting and they did great. I think you have to decide for yourself but as i see it there is no difference.

[dinky_doo]

thanks guys

[Gryfon]

I was watching Gardners World...as you do...and they showed that chitting actually produced more potatoes!