new plot spuds

[guyforks]

i have just started a new plot,no other growers around,what are best maincrops for free draining but low nutrient soil in lancs area.

[solway cropper]

If the soil's low in nutrients get some muck bunged on before you put the spuds in as they can be quite hungry.

[Kristen]

My advice to "newbies" is:

Start off by growing what you like to eat

keep good records of dates Sown, Planted, First and Last harvest wand whether you had "too many/few" and "too early/late" so you can adjust for next year.

Tell us what your favourites are and we can then suggest varieties that give good results, and/or suggest you avoid things that are difficult to grow,

[Two_Sheds]

How do you know it's low in nutrients? Have you done a soil test?

Were there weeds growing? If weeds are growing, then nutrients are available and the type of weed can indicate what kind of soil you have

[Two_Sheds]

and ... why maincrop? They are more troublesome to grow (because of blight) and they are cheap to buy in the shops

I'd be more inclined to grow some lovely (early) salad potatoes, myself

This is a very useful thread for you to read through: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...0-a_26499.html

[Currysniffa]

why maincrop? They are more troublesome to grow (because of blight) and they are cheap to buy in the shops

I'd be more inclined to grow some lovely (early) salad potatoes, myself

This is a very useful thread for you to read through: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...0-a_26499.html

I second that TS

I mostly grow second early's (Charlotte)

As TS right said if there's weeds growing then there will be nutrients in the soil, what I did last year on a new plot and what I'm going to do this year on a new plot is to use blood fish and bone, chicken muck pellets and growmore. I put mushroom compost on one of my plots this winter but the other was only cleared in November so should be OK for this season and will just add the above as a bit of a boost.

Welcome to the vine BTW Happy Growing!

[Two_Sheds]

chicken muck pellets ...mushroom compost

Don't add these if your soil is already alkaline though; too much alkalinity leads to scabby spuds

Mushroom compost linky: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/...e.aspx?pid=294

Chicken pellet linky: http://apps.rhs.org.uk/advicesearch/...e.aspx?pid=297

[Currysniffa]

Don't add these if your soil is already alkaline though; too much alkalinity leads to scabby spuds

Mushroom compost linky: Mushroom compost / RHS Gardening Advice

Chicken pellet linky: Poultry manure / RHS Gardening Advice

Sorry that's right TS, I don't the mushroom compost or chicken muck on my potato patch or fruit beds .

[guyforks]

many thanks to all,plot been poor quality lawn for years,got muck in and black poly on at mo. soil test showed ph7-7.5.will take advice on veriety and chick pellets.

[Plot103]

One other thing you might want to bear in mind is the possibility of wireworm (click beetle larvae) being present. Apparently, they like to breed in grassy/ weedy ground and stay in the larval stage for several years. The main time they cause damage to potatoes is late summer so if there is any chance you have them that's another reason to go for second earlies rather than maincrop.
Google wireworm and you will find loads of info.