how do I furtle in a bucket?

[janeyo]

I have potatoes now in buckets which should in theory be nearly ready. I have tried furtling in the bucket and found one potato about 3 cm long. I can't get my hands in to search any further.
Any tips on how to furtle ina bucket?
I don't want to tip them out if they are not ready.

Thanks

[Flummery]

I think it's very difficult to do in a bucket - unless you VERY GENTLY tip it on its side over an old compost bag and gently ease it all out - so you can put it back in if necessary. Make sure it's well watered before you do.

It's much easier to furtle into the side of an earthed-up ridge!

[Alice]

I do as Flummery says Janeyo. The whole thing comes out quite easily and if you're not happy you can put it back in.
Last year I had one bucket with quite a poor crop - a few nice big potatoes and an awful lot of marbles. I took the big ones and put the rest back for a couple of weeks and got a good crop from it.
Hope this helps.

[Sweepster]

Just remember to take your pants off first... one can get awfully tangled up during the act of furtling...

[Snadger]

Just remember to take your pants off first... one can get awfully tangled up during the act of furtling...

I agree ........Lol!

[Iamhanuman]

i am making notes on this
thanks

[janeyo]

I am off to water then then tip it out gently for a furtle (but for the sake of the neighbours and the fact that it's quite cold and windy here am going to keep my pants on!)

Thanks

[Iamhanuman]

wise move janeyo
out of interest
when did you put your seed pots in?

[pdblake]

This gives me an idea for next years buckets. How about planting in a see through container, inside an opaque bucket? You'll just need to take the container out of the bucket then and have a look.

[lynda66]

i have deciced this year .. i'm gonna buy a furtler

[FionaH]

i have deciced this year .. i'm gonna buy a furtler

And keep him in the attic?

[Flummery]

This gives me an idea for next years buckets. How about planting in a see through container, inside an opaque bucket? You'll just need to take the container out of the bucket then and have a look.

Potatoes go green (and therefore poisonous) when the light gets to them. This would be a problem with see through buckets. You could see when all your poisonous spuds were ready to throw away though! Ah, just read the bit about this being an INNER bucket - hey, you might be on to something!

[janeyo]

wise move janeyo
out of interest
when did you put your seed pots in?

These ones were end of feb, but started life in the greenhouse till they were about a foot high.

I have furtled! Was very careful and laid them on their sides and eased them out. I got enough for a meal (4 people), and some were quite big. I have put them back to grow on a bit.

Thanks all

[JILLY JACKSON]

i planted some in a bucket in october and nothing until january,they have gone mad now.hope they are ready soon!

[Iamhanuman]

congrats janeyo!!!!!!!!!!!!