Seed potatoes

[SpudULike]

Hello.
I'm new to the world of growing my own veg and have just brought some seed potatoes - first earlies. However, my plot is relatively small, so I was wondering if I can just plant some of the seeds, and keep the rest until I have cleared more ground? If so, do I need to do anything with the seeds I am keeping?
Also (like I said I am a beginner) should it be ok to plant them in a few weeks? I'm a bit scared about them being susceptible to the cold weather.
Thanks

[JennieAtkinson]

Welcome to the Grapevine Spudulike! Have a look at some of the other threads relating to potatoes as I am sure you will find the answers to some of your questions. Also last months GYO mag (you can pick it up on line too) had Anne Swithibank doing a small article on spud growing.

Some people "chit" their potatoes before planting as it is believed to lead to a greater yield and I do that for about six weeks before planting in the soil. I just put them in a box in a cool room with plenty of light and let the "eyes" grow. I can't normally plant any of mine out until mid April. Not sure where you are from, but as you are likely to be south of me, others will advise on the best time to plant!!

Good luck!

[Alice]

Hello Spudulike, potatoes need to be protected from frost so if you plant them in the ground now you could run into problems. I would keep them for a bit. If they sprout, so much the better.
I planted some Charlotte today, but that was in buckets in the greenhouse.

[rustylady]

Traditional folklore advises planting spuds on Good Friday, until then keep them somewhere cool and light so you get short sturdy dark green shoots on them. If you keep them warm and dark you will get great long white shoots which will break off (just like the bag of spuds you left in the cupboard and forgot about)

[Earthbabe]

That may be RL but being from the Channel Islands I was thinking of warming the soil with plastic and planting through/under that. Not sure how that will work for moisture though.