Watering Potatoes

[Scottydog]

I've had all my seed potatoes in for a few weeks now and they are poking their heads above the ground now. I'm wondering as to whether they need to be watered as it's been so dry down here. We haven't had any decent rain since Good Friday! I'm sure I read somewhere that they don't have to be watered until they start to produce potatoes but I just want to make sure.
Any advise would be gratefully received.

[Paulottie]

Your right, you shouldn't need to water them just yet. Don't get the leaves wet when you do.

Put a location in your profile please.

[gigleypants]

Was thinking the same thing until i checked under the soil and found it to be only the top soil dry and hard .... good thing about potatoes is they dont need too much looking after ... just keep em covered and moist when the flowers are starting thats all I do and get a good crop.

Good Luck

Gigleypants

[Flummery]

Usually it's still damp down where your spuds are - they are generally planted fairly deep. You don't want to risk rotting them. Once they have substantial foliage at the top they'll begin to put energy into swelling up the tubers. That's when they need to be watered.

[Caro]

Presumably potato grow sacks may need watering more frequently than those planted in the ground?

[Suky]

I was going to ask that too. I have grown spuds this way for ages and have always watered lightly as soon as the leaves start showing. Never had any problems but now............. have I been doing it wrong?

The ones in the ground are coming up well, being kept warm by the cat who seems to think they need hatching