Chitting and planting potatoes

[pdblake]

I do this too. Though I usually put them in buckets. That way if you get anything nasty you can just bin it.

They usually grow alright and produce plenty.

[windowsillqueen]

That's what I was thinking - just sticking them in buckets. Actually, my husband is a plumber and I've been begging him to give me an old bath. I figured it would be perfect for potatoes. He refuses to have an old bath in the garden. He also vitoed my car tire idea and planting in an old loo. Spoil sport.

[Duronal]

Yup this has worked for me in the past. Just be sure not to let them dry out in their containers.

Some will argue that you risk the chance of spreading disease but just make sure you don't use the compost/growth medium next year for any veg in the same family. e.g tomatoes.

[windowsillqueen]

How exiting. Off to pop some tatties on the windowsill now!! I always chuck my compost and start affresh each year anyway - and as I've said before, pretty much everything is in pots at the mo - though I may start my lettuces in the ground soon.

[windowsillqueen]

Sorry - one last question... how many potatoes should I plant1 per container - they are pots about 1 and a half feet (45cm) across....?

[Cosmo and Dibs]

I have got my hands on some Maris Piper and Hunter seed potatoes. When should I be looking at getting them in my plot?

How long do I need to let them chit? Must I use an egg box, or will a standard cardboard box do?

[rana]

For a container that size three potatoes will be enough. Any more will be a waste as you will not improve the yield and you'll just get lots of small potatoes.

[windowsillqueen]

Hmm, well, a number of people on here have told me that growing veggies is all about experimenting, so I'll just go ahead and stick 3 in. Thanks for all your advice.

[Growem]

I found the organic potatoes in my cupboard chitted better than the seed potatoes from the garden centre!! Couldn't comment on the yield yet, but an interesting result so far.

[Iamhanuman]

get them in now C&D
a lot of evidence says chitting makes no difference.
many of us have done it anyway, but if you haven't had a chance then get them in now to start them going

alternatively chit them for a week or two if you want the experience!

[Welsh Wizard]

I rather like the taste of the Saxon variety sold by my local supermarket, and so have planted some that have sprouted in the cupboard. I am intrigued to see what happens and compare them to the other 2 varieties I have growing. I have more chitted seed spuds than I know what to do with so will be guerilla gardening a few around the neighbourhood!

[Victoria26]

I have actual seed potatoes and also store bought tatties which Im experimenting with. I really want to see what yeild I get from each and am documenmting my results.

Just a wee experiment from Vickys garden and yes - chill out veg heads - I know all about blight and have took precautions. (I'm growing them in very different areas in the same sun exposure..) Lol!

[rogesse]

Is the tyre idea where you keep adding tyres as the potatoes grow? I did this 10yrs ago and let my little'un paint each tyre. Can't remember the yield but it was great fun!

[Iamhanuman]

aren't potatoes wonderful??

[geoff]

I have planted old sprouting potatoes from our veg rack on and off for years, even before I became more interested in gardening, and still do; never had any problems

You might get an odd variety that you're not too sure of, but that's all part of the fun. I have also been told that some supermarket potatoes are treated so they don't grow properly, if at all

I think the point is that you're OK if you just use up a few leftovers here and there that have got a bit too manky to eat, but for a reliable crop, and the bulk of your planting, buy bona fide seed potatoes

I have also planted supermarket garlic with no problems, and it's considerably cheaper than garlic from a seed merchant. It's getting a bit late to plant garlic now, however, as they need a period of cold weather to grow into the bulb formed from several cloves