Potato help please!

[Annette]

Hi,
I'm new to these site and I'm new to gardening. With a little help from a very experienced gardener I have planted some early potatoes (in buckets), and am keeping them warm inside. But, I don't know if I should be watering them or not as they're obviously not getting any rain and the soil is getting very dry.
Thanks!

[andrewo]

Yes, you should water them or they won't grow.

[sandersj89]

At this stage keep the compost just moist, not too wet.

As soon as they leaves start to emerge at the surface slowly increase the water so that when the folliage is nice and tall you are flooding the bucket once a day.

And dont forget to earth up the leaves as they grow but leave a good inch of space in the top of the bucket for watering. Earthing up is covering the leaves with more compost/soil. This increases the yield and ensure you dont get any green tubers.

HTH

Jerry

[Annette]

At this stage keep the compost just moist, not too wet.

As soon as they leaves start to emerge at the surface slowly increase the water so that when the folliage is nice and tall you are flooding the bucket once a day.

And dont forget to earth up the leaves as they grow but leave a good inch of space in the top of the bucket for watering. Earthing up is covering the leaves with more compost/soil. This increases the yield and ensure you dont get any green tubers.

HTH

Jerry

Thanks Jerry
Saw your 'Idiots guide' aswell which I am sure will prove to be VERY useful.

[Amanda1]

Is it okay to grow potatoes in comppost that contains composting Xmas trees?

[nick the grief]

Depends how well rotted they are Amanda. If they are still reletivley fresh they wont have broken down enough to use & will rob any Nitrogen to aid the break down. I would leave this till next year so it's well rotted

[andrewo]

I was always told to use composted everygreens or xmas trees only as a mulch for other trees or acid loving plants, as the compost from these tend to be acidic.

[Amanda1]

I'm not sure how rotted the trees are. The local council are selling compost at £1 per 42ltr bags made from green waste in the borough (including Xmas trees). I should think it is waste from Xmas 2004 if it is compost now. Is this a bargain or am I better off using mutli-purpose from a garden centre? I'm not sure how much this costs for the same amount.

[SueA]

That's a pretty good price, it's £1.98 for 40ltr from Lidl which is one of the cheapest. You can sometimes get bargains from garden centres where you buy 3 70ltr bags for £10 etc. but the council compost should be fine-potatoes aren't all that fussy.

[Mel]

Wow, which council is it Amanda?

[Amanda1]

Its Croydon Mel, you're Bromley aren't you? You have to prove that you live in Croydon borough to be eligible. There's a telephone number to order for bulk delivery, I'm not sure how much makes up a bulk delivery but I'm thinking of getting 30 bags. I will PM you if I am getting it delivered and ask if you want some at the same time, you can just pick it up from mine or I can take it to you as we live close to each other. I'll probably make you come to mine so you can do some digging.

[Mel]

Thanks for the offer Amanda. I am Bromley yes and unfortunately, they don't seem to offer a similar scheme. It would be great to get some if you are getting a delivery. I've got a car so can easily come and pick it up. PM me if you are and we can arrange.

Cheers,

Mel

[Kimbo]

Wickes are doing multipurpose compost at 4 80L bags for £10

[blossom]

Wow, that is cheap. i may have to have a visit at the weekend.

[nick the grief]

I tend to use this sort of stuff for mixing my own John innes up. I assume there is no fertiliser in it & use it as the peat part. If it's really lumpy I just stick it thru the shredder.