Is it worth growing main crop potatoes

[Alice]

Hello Burnie, who peels Pink Fir Apples. I just rinse them and cook in the skins. That's where the best of the flavour - and nutrition - is. Do give it a try.

[Snadger]

Hello Burnie, who peels Pink Fir Apples. I just rinse them and cook in the skins. That's where the best of the flavour - and nutrition - is. Do give it a try.

I agree Alice, and I am going to try a few as chips as well!! Just quarter them lengthwise and pop them in the deep fat fryer, skins an all I've been told!

Although I will cut down on the amount of main crops grown, I will still grow PFA!! This year I am going to support them though as the tops grew 5'0" high and toppled over!

[Alison]

PFA seem a prime example of ugly veg tasting nicer than the uniform ones - ugly little things but when scrubbed up as really tasty, that reminds me, have some left that weren't needed for Christmas Day so will be having them tonight before we go out.

[JennieAtkinson]

As I can't get bags of organic potatoes, I will be planting some maincrops this year. I did last year for the first time and was well impressed with the crop and they are storing well, so should be breaking into them in the New Year. I didn;t have much of a problem with disease last year - perhaps beginners luck!

[nick the grief]

Trouble is Piglet, I can't buy the ones I like In one of my many books it did say that if you are short of space don't bother with maincrop tatties just grow earlies - problem with that is we don't eat enough new potatoes to make it worth while to grow more than a row or two.

I think they are worth growing if you are just taking over a plot as they are good for clearing the ground.

If I were in your position though, I think I would do the same. I'm giving up with runnerbeans this year as the last two years they have been crap for me. I think the high temperatures were the problem so I'm going to try some of LJ's climbing French jobbies instead.

You'll have to take some more photo's of the progress of the tunnel piglet as I'm thinking of building one myself.

[Bex]

First year so I am giving main crops ago (cara and PFA). I've ordered 4 other types all first and second earlies. Trial and error, see what works. I'm also only growing french and broad beans as although they look pretty I don't like runner beans.

I've ordered my seed spuds but am also trying to get to a potato day so might add to the list.

[pigletwillie]

Nick I am building another (or starting too) next week so will take pictures for you. If you are ever in the area drop me a line and you can come see how easy it is and to be honest how good they look.

[nick the grief]

Nick I am building another (or starting too) next week so will take pictures for you. If you are ever in the area drop me a line and you can come see how easy it is and to be honest how good they look.

Cheers Piglet,

I'll bear that in mind.

[Stroppy scotte]

We also have elected to grow earlies only this year. However have bought a tub and a couple of seed potatoes as a birthday present for a 12 year old who loves helping us on the lottie. Had to get them because her name is Nicola and she plays football for the Kestrels. Bet you can't guess the varieties!!!!
Novel eh!!!

[nick the grief]

Charlotte & Mr Littles Yetholm Gypsy by any chance

[Earthbabe]

Ohhhh Nick

[lyndap]

I stopped growing main crop tatos 2years ago as they just wern't worth the effort for the returns.Had problems with diseases,and bugs no matter which main crop we grew.Only potato that grew well at all, at anytime has been Kestral.

[Poledragon]

This is my last year growing main crops. Although I've got a lottie and a big garden, I'm on sand so suffer with scab. And that's after loads of manure, compost and laying them on a bed of grass clippings too.

Anyone else got any scab prevention tips? For this year I'm growing Desiree, Majestic and King Edward. Last year's bizarre weather meant I got lousy crops - Cara was plentiful but very small, Maris Piper was virtually non-existent and the purple Arran Victory gave me one decent sized spud to every dozen golf ball sized ones. And all scabby, from my sandy lottie.

First and second earlies go into the garden, where the soil is marginally better, but last year Yukon Gold didn't come to much either. This year it's Foremost and Saxon. And if the main crop don't do well, next year I'm planting the biggest damned pumpkin patch ever, instead.

[pigletwillie]

Poledragon, no scab for me just blight and slug holes for Britain in main crop. I shall be planting LadyCrystl and Foremost as earlies and will again be planting pumpkins and corn and buying organic spuds at £4.50 a sack from the local farm. I cant grow them for that price.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi all, can I just ask if Golden Wonder would grow in buckets? I have a bit of garden they can go into if not but find buckets easier as you don't spike the spuds as you get them out.