when will they be ready??

[threepeas]

Hi

I planted out International Kidney and Foremost in potato bags on the 17th March, so i am guessing they will be ready soon, should i wait till the leaves start dieing back, i have had a look but i cant see any potatoes????

[JimmerG]

3Ps

First earlies take 8 - 12 weeks to mature, so they should be ready soon, but we've had such ridiculously dry weather, the potatoes may not have grown a lot yet. I'd leave them until the leaves die back.

J

[Flummery]

Water them really well for a week or two, then have a rummage.

[PAULW]

12 weeks is at optimum growing conditions, the cold/dry weather this will have an influence on how fast they mature, IMO wait 12 weeks then have a furckle.

[solway cropper]

As Flum says, give em plenty of water. they won't swell up if they are dry. I planted 6 containers about the same time as you and they are now producing gorgeous new tatties for me. Mine were started off in the unheated greenhouse so are probably a week or two ahead of yours.. If yours are just in MPC they will also need feeding.

[threepeas]

what do i feed them ( i have never grown any veg before!!!)

I will take some photos tomorrow and show you what they look like.

[solway cropper]

You can buy potato fertilizer but it's a bit expensive. I use home-made seaweed feed but tomato feed will do the job. I'm sure others will offer other alternatives.

[Flummery]

I don't feed mine. I make sure the compost is beefed up - chicken manure here - before they go in.