Seed potatoes - when to buy?

[Snailfox]

I bought some over the christmas period and am now storing them, but to be honest , I think I bought them far too earlier, I was just wandering what the ideal time is to buy them usually?

Incidentally, the varieties I bought were:

Red Duke of York,
King Edward
Charlotte.
I've done a bit of reading , but if anyone has any tips, they would be very welcome... I've got a while to read up on the subject at least!

[Martin H]

You need to keep them cool (but not frosty) and in the light until you can get them in the ground. If they are warm they'll shrivel before you can plant them, if they are dark they will grow long spindly white shoots.

If they are going outdoors you should be able to get the RDoY planted in March, the Charlotte in April and the King Eddies in May, roughly roughly.

[Wapwap79]

I also brought some last week... saw them there and thought "i'll give these a go' then started to think they may have been brought a little early.

im storing them now ready for planting in March time

[WPG]

I've ordered mine from JBA Seed potatoes in Scotland - I really wanted to try Lady Christl and just can't find them in any garden centres in Northern Ireland. They're due to send them the third week in January, and I'll start chitting them straight away.

[Aberdeenplotter]

You won't go far wrong with JBA. Tattieman who is one of those involved with that company is a member of this forum and has posted some really useful stuff about potato growing.

As for when to buy, the secret is to get them while they are still available as supplies can and will dry up as planting time approaches. Provided you can keep them in a cool and dry frost free place buy them as soon as you can and set them up to chit ready to plant later.

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...asy_26499.html

[Thelma Sanders]

You need to keep them cool (but not frosty) and in the light until you can get them in the ground. If they are warm they'll shrivel before you can plant them, if they are dark they will grow long spindly white shoots.

If they are going outdoors you should be able to get the RDoY planted in March, the Charlotte in April and the King Eddies in May, roughly roughly.

All of mine get planted at the same time ( around St Patrick's day) - back allowing

[wbmkk]

I was just wandering what the ideal time is to buy them usually?
I

One thing with buying early, the buyer should be able to get the variety he wants.

I got an allotment late last year, so this year will be planting spuds. I'll buy earlier, rather than later.

I would be a bit miffed if, after spending ages checking on varieties etc, only to find they are not available, or worse still the supplier sends an alternative.

Luckily a local allotment association sells seed potatoes and always have plenty, including the varieties I want (Kestrel, Romano, Lady Christl)

[Snailfox]

Thanks for the tips folks. I'm especially looking forward to the red duke of york. I think my wife will go mad, she was complaining the other day about how we eat nothing but potatoes!

[Martin H]

I bought some today: Lady Christl, Charlotte, Cara, Maris Piper and (a new one for me) Rooster. They are all now lined up to chit on a north windowsill. I put them in seed trays on top of newspaper, so I can damp them down a bit if they start to shrivel. If they come on too fast they will move to the shed windowsill in a month or so.

[Paulieb]

Thanks for the tips folks. I'm especially looking forward to the red duke of york. I think my wife will go mad, she was complaining the other day about how we eat nothing but potatoes!

My wife can wait till the porch is full of chitting potatoes!!

[Snadger]

Thanks for the tips folks. I'm especially looking forward to the red duke of york. I think my wife will go mad, she was complaining the other day about how we eat nothing but potatoes!

RDY has handsome red foliage!Thats about all that commends it to me though.Much prefer ordinary Duke of York for both size and flavour.

Each to there own though. Maybe it will perform and taste good when grown in your soil?

My soil just doesn't suit it!

[toby6668]

Just wondering about chitting outside in the greenhouse. Just worry about frost at this time of year. Any thoughts anyone?


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[Scarlet]

All of mine get planted at the same time ( around St Patrick's day) - back allowing

Same as me including the back!

[Ananke]

And me too, St Paddy's Day and Back Allowing

If you have a local potato day, I'd recommend going to that, you can usually get most varieties and in plenty time for chitting and planting.

[Snailfox]

Do most potato days have seed swapping at the same time? I've been trying to find local stuff thats happening, and as far as i'm aware "seed swap" and potato day are often used interchangably.