Too late to start growing potatoes?

[Toonbaz]

First post on this forum and the only thing I've ever grown in the past are chillies. I was at b & q today and noticed seed potatoes on offer, this got me thinking about giving a go to growing at home, I have no garden just a yard so could only really grow things in containers, I've had a bit of a read on here and seen people use these flower containers from morrisons and I am considering getting some of these, the question is have I still got time to plant potatoes, will these containers be any good for this and are there any other veg I could possibly plant at this time in these sort of containers. Thanks!

[Andypandi]

No It's not too late. I just bought some purple seeds potatoes from the Garden Centre and when I get chance this weekend I will stick them in the biggest plant pot I can find. In previous years I have bought those potato sacks advertised and they work well. You have to make sure you keep putting soil in on top though because they seem to grow like crazy when your back is turned. Good luck

[Veggielot]

I hope not as I am planning to plant some this weekend as well.

[Toonbaz]

That's good, I will get back to b & q tomorrow and get started then, I've seen fertilizer mentioned, is there a specific kind I need?

[Veggielot]

I have never used fertilizer on potatoes, however this year is the first time planting in a container. I was only going to use compost.

[Potstubsdustbins]

This time of year first earlies would be ready in 10 to 12 weeks maybe a little less, second earlies 14 to 16 weeks and main crop about 22 weeks.

To grow main crop you would need some bigger than BFBs, I use dustbins and preloved plastic water tanks. So you may well do better with first earlies.

If you plant in new compost all you will need in the way of fertiliser is some tomato food during the last 4 weeks of growth, but keep them well watered on hot days.

Potty

[Toonbaz]

Thanks for the advice, I assumed anything other than main crops would be a bit late now so that is useful, I will consider buying a cheap dustbin for main crops, I have an unused wheelie bin but I gather this would probably be too deep.

[Potstubsdustbins]

I have a mate who grows spuds in his old wheelie bin and get very good yields of main crop. But it does take a lot of compost in the first year.

Don't forget plenty of drainage holes in the bottom

Potty

[hearts151]

Hmm thinking of doing the same, but seen people mention grow bags, are there special grow bags or certain type of tatties for this

[chefgage]

I always grow my potatoes in large tubs. As what has already been said make sure you keep on top of the watering as the tubs can dry out quite quickly (maybe not at the moment ). It's certainly not too late for planting the potatoes, I have two different varieties of main crop still to plant.

As for other veg to grow in containers I would say give lettuce, rocket, spinach, carrots, dwarf kale, dwarf French beans etc a go. I have grown all these in tub/pots and will sowing another lot of this soon.

[rustylady]

Thanks for the advice, I assumed anything other than main crops would be a bit late now so that is useful, I will consider buying a cheap dustbin for main crops, I have an unused wheelie bin but I gather this would probably be too deep.

First early, second early and maincrop refer to the length of time that the potatoes take to reach maturity. Maincrops take longer than earlies.

[out in the cold]

Welcome to the forum Toonbaz.

We used the grow bags you get in the pound shop last year and had some nice spuds. have about 7 or so bags going with spuds in down the side of the shed, using a number of varieties, just using gp compost.

If I can grow em, anyone can

The most pleasing thing we grew last year was our christmas dinner veg. Started the spuds about October and picked them the week before Christmas. Was dead chuffed.

[Toonbaz]

Thanks for all the advice, I quite like the idea of growing carrots, spinach and maybe some parsnips, managed to get some potato growing bags today, wilko's had them all reduced, got a pack of two 42ltr ones for 75p and got one 169ltr one which isn't as deep but is much wider also for 75p. Going to get some seed pots tomorrow, how many seed pots per bag? And will the shallower wider bag be suitable for potatoes or should I maybe use this for something else?

[out in the cold]

Spuds like a fair bit of depth, as you need to bury them, then cover up the shoots. I think you need around 2ft or so by the time you till up.

No doubt someone with more experience will advise though.

I would say that carrots need covering really to avoid carrot fly, so be careful where you site them. They also like worse soil than we thought last year and they forked as a result of planting in fairly rich soil.

[out in the cold]

Oh, one other wee thing for the forum users in terms of advice...

Can you shove in your location in your profile please? that way other grapes local to you will tend to help you out if they can.

I am presuming maybe Newcastle area, but could be wrong...