Winter Spuds

[Alan Glass]

I planted three rows of winter potatoes about 6 weeks ago, however all the foliage has gone. I lifted one row but only golf ball size potatoes were harvested. Can I expect larger potatoes by leaving them in the ground or is that as big as it gets?

[rustylady]

Did a frost get the foliage?

[Two_Sheds]

Friend, there's no such thing as winter spuds. They are a tender crop from S.America. Those that try to grow "new potatoes for Xmas" need to sow them by August and keep them under glass. Even then, they will naturally drop their foliage as the days get shorter

[Newton]

And he's from Kildare!

[solway cropper]

Six weeks is way too short a time to expect any potato crop to give a result. I put some in grow sacks in mid August and brought them into the greenhouse in October I had a furtle the other day and found golf-ball size spuds so if the weather stays mild I should at least get something. Never tried it before so I'm doing it just to see what happens and because the seed potatoes were half price at a local garden centre just to get shot of them.

see my parsnip results at
the recycled gardener

[Potstubsdustbins]

Even following 2Sheds way of doing things and keeping things under glass I get a half decent result about 1 in 4 efforts, about 2 mediocre and 1 failure.

Its one of those 'you pays your money. you takes your chance' jobs.

Colin

[adamhartree]

i planted some in early aughust and all the foilage has now dies down. i dug some up at the weekend to be really surprised because there were a real desent size. they were the same size as my second earlies and in great conditon. i was well chuffed

[delsupserve]

Tried it last year. Grew four planter bags outside, the foliage looked realy healthy and i put them in the GH when there was a risk of frost. Last year was an exceptional year and i lost the lot the bags were frozen solid. Personaly and dont think its worth all the effort and expense. Hope you have better luck than me. Regards Mick.

[Piggle]

I just dug mine up today - I think they were charlottes but I could be wrong. I planted three in a big tub and I've got enough for 2 or 3 meals so I'm pretty happy.

Funnly enough there were some acorns in there as well so obviously the squirrel has been busy!

[binley100]

I have some in pots in the gh just cos I like to try things .......foliage is still going great guns . Whatever happens happens and if I get a few tatties for christmas day then it'll be a nice surprise. ( I do have backup spuds )

[Snadger]

I have some in pots in the gh just cos I like to try things .......foliage is still going great guns . Whatever happens happens and if I get a few tatties for christmas day then it'll be a nice surprise. ( I do have backup spuds )

I grew some tatties in pots last year during the normal growing season and when the foliage had died down I put the pots with soil and dead foliage into the greenhouse. If you are lucky, you can still harvest tatties from the pots on Crimbo morning to give that 'freshly dug' taste.................but don't have the hassle of trying to grow the foliage in adverse weather conditions.
Must add, this is only possible with second earlies/lates as earlies tend to go to mush very quickly.

[binley100]

Mine are second earlies .........either nadine or nicola (can't remember but it began with a N and is a girls name ) planted as soon as they were dug up ......

[Piggle]

wonder why they don't name spuds after blokes .... yoiu don't about any called Dave or Keith do you . Imagine growing some lovely golden keith's or some tasty jersey dave's

Sorry .. too much coffee today

[veggiechicken]

wonder why they don't name spuds after blokes .... yoiu don't about any called Dave or Keith do you . Imagine growing some lovely golden keith's or some tasty jersey dave's

Sorry .. too much coffee today

King Edward - should he have been a Queen then?

[Piggle]

haha I knew I was asking for trouble with that comment!