Chitting and planting potatoes

[workhorse]

Growing potatoes

I am a complete novice, and this is my first time at growing potatoes, so I have a few questions (I just heard some one give a deep sigh).
I have noted that you get 1st Early, 2nd Early etc, so I intend to try various, but am concerned is that if I obtain a pack of say, "Charlotte" seed potatoes, do I have to plant them all at the same time, or is it possible to space the planting over a period, so that you don't get them all maturing at the same time.

I am also aware that they have to be "chitted", but how long should I allow between obtaining the seed potatoes, and planting. I intend to grow these in buckets or other containers.

I would be pleased to receive any other advice that you can give that would gain me brownie points with the wife this year.

[tootles]

Do a search here. There is loads of info around, possibly the most comprehensive is here; http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...asy_26499.html
You may find that as your spuds grow, you want to take some early (as tiny salad spuds) and leave the other to grow longer. They will keep for a while once ready, and can also be left in the ground for a bit too - especially earlies, where blight is less of a problem.
I am not sure that there is much point in spacing the plantings, I think they will all pretty much catch up with each other anyway.
I suggest you go for a few varieties which will be ready at different times, (1st early, 2nd early, early maincrop and maincrop). Unless you are growing tonnes they should keep long enough for you to eat them! Generally, the longer they are in the ground, the longer they will keep. If you really have loads, you can make a clamp to put them in (essentially a big box of earth in the shed).

[workhorse]

Thanks Tottles for the info.

[Naga]

My sprouts have now turned dark and there are a few of them, do I break them all of but one so it can put it's energy in to the one and not all the others?

[kittykat8]

put my potatoes in yesterday maybe a mistake only time will tell, had my plot deeply rotavated last tuesday, I planted 6 rows put them slightly deeper, put compost over them in the holes to keep warm and then covered with soil. the old man on the next plot took the soil temp on his and said it was 35 I think mine was slightly warmer due to rotavating. A couple of others are doing their potatoes next week, and heard that the other allotment site have been puting theirs in.

marion

[Iamhanuman]

Storing Seed Potatoes

Hi There,

I just bought my first earlies for chitting and couldn't resist grabbing my second earlies as they were a variety i've been trying to track down (Edzell Blue)
Should I stick them in a dark cool place until i'm ready to get them going, or should i chit them now in preparation? Seems too early.

Help would be much appreciated from all your potty gardeners!

Ta!

Iamhanuman

[Iamhanuman]

having read through all 4 pages looks like i can chit them all together right now until they are planted out

[chicken slave]

I just need to put mine in the kitchen cupboard, as the tatties always sprout in there without all the egg cartons and semi light etc etc etc.

[Iamhanuman]

doesn't that produce white sprouts chicken slave?

[zazen999]

Yes, you can chit now!

Keeping them in the dark will produce white long chits, and personally I want dark stocky chits...so my earlies have been in daylight since late december, and my mains - it doesn't really matter about but will be de-bagged this week and if they chit then they chit. If not, it's not the end of the world.

We had a conversation about when they are going in the ground last night - and it's decided - in 3 weeks time. Mid March. If it frosts in the weeks after, then the foliage won't be up yet so it won't be damaged. the soil should protect the spuds underneath.

I'm also growing potatoes from seed - see this thread

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...8-a_20577.html

And also growing potatoes from slivers cut from shop bought spuds that have sprouted - see this thread

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...uds_27661.html

All these will go in the ground a bit later on, as they won't be big enough in 3 weeks time to go in....or will they? We shall see.

[screwbylil]

potatoes when?

when should i put my earlies in please? and what about the others (mid and maincrop? i find it most confusing, got every thing chitting away but need help on getting the timings right, thanks sue

[zazen999]

Sue

I've merged your thread into the ongoing potato thread - grab a cuppa and have a read through. Hopefully it should answer most of your questions.

[screwbylil]

thanks for that zazen i can almost hear all you experienced gardeners throwing up your hand and saying " there spuds whats the problem" all the guys on our allotments tell me different things regarding spuds, so thought id get some impartial advice,, cuppas ready here i go thanks again

[braders]

Chitted Potatoes Going Green..?

Evening all...saved some Potatoes from the weekly shop to chit, now they are starting to turn a bit green...not happened before...will they be ok..?..or should I bin them and start again..?

Roll on the summer...

braders

[zazen999]

They will do...they are now in the light. It's a good thing!

Don't panic!

Will add your thread to the other one to assist anyone else with this.