Rocket spuds, too much leaf.

[Kristen]

Mine were started in the Gh then put outside in mid march, we have not had any frost here (Torquay) all winter. ... I intend to harvest at least one container on the 1st June.

I would not expect Rocket to need more than 8 weeks growing time ... so I reckon you could harvest earlier than that - or at least have a furtle?

[Bill HH]

I would not expect Rocket to need more than 8 weeks growing time ... so I reckon you could harvest earlier than that - or at least have a furtle?

I am very tempted.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Bill I wouldn't be tempted just yet. I set my Red Duke of York & Lady Christl 26/02 in small containers in the GH and yesterday gave into temptation (as I always do) and just got a boiling, reckon they will need a couple more weeks yet.

I always try to kick start them in the GH but have come to the conclusion that they sit there for a while before real growth starts and that those planted later are not that far behind anyway.

The pics shows my small containers in the cage that where planted on the 26/06. The tanks behind them and the dustbins are again RDoY and Laby C but these where planted outside on 15/03.

One more thing never keep your spuds short of water, it will weaken the haulms and lead to a poor crop.

[Richard Eldritch]

I am very tempted.

Further to my earlier post today, I've emptied a bag of Rocket. Couldn't resist the lure of Spuds for tea! Decent harvest, enough for a couple of meals. I know they aren't the tastiest spuds but damn they're quick.
Don't know how many bags you've got Bill but I'd say have a look in a week or two....

[Bill HH]

Well I will tell you a secret, I planted my rocket on the same day as Dan from allotment diaries on you-tube. I'm waiting for him to open up a container so I can compare them with mine. I am sure he said June.
If rocket are not the tastiest what are? I remember as a child having new potatoes was something really special, nowadays they are just small potatoes. or maybe my taste buds are shot.
Maybe next year I will try international kidney and use sea weed, I got plenty of that in Torquay.

[Bill HH]

Bill I wouldn't be tempted just yet. I set my Red Duke of York & Lady Christl 26/02 in small containers in the GH and yesterday gave into temptation (as I always do) and just got a boiling, reckon they will need a couple more weeks yet.

I always try to kick start them in the GH but have come to the conclusion that they sit there for a while before real growth starts and that those planted later are not that far behind anyway.

The pics shows my small containers in the cage that where planted on the 26/06. The tanks behind them and the dustbins are again RDoY and Laby C but these where planted outside on 15/03.

One more thing never keep your spuds short of water, it will weaken the haulms and lead to a poor crop.

They are looking well, I have only 5 containers (40L) with three in each. You are right about the GH, mine didn't start to grow until they went outside.

[Richard Eldritch]

Well I will tell you a secret, I planted my rocket on the same day as Dan from allotment diaries on you-tube. I'm waiting for him to open up a container so I can compare them with mine. I am sure he said June.
If rocket are not the tastiest what are? I remember as a child having new potatoes was something really special, nowadays they are just small potatoes. or maybe my taste buds are shot.
Maybe next year I will try international kidney and use sea weed, I got plenty of that in Torquay.

I follow Dan as well, but he's in wind blasted Yorkshire, and I'm in warm London so this year I sniffed the wind and decided to go really early with my spuds. Glad I did as there's no frost and my Charlottes, Ratte and Nicola are massive.

[Bill HH]

I follow Dan as well, but he's in wind blasted Yorkshire, and I'm in warm London so this year I sniffed the wind and decided to go really early with my spuds. Glad I did as there's no frost and my Charlottes, Ratte and Nicola are massive.

Same here I am in Torquay and we had NO frost, could have planted them in January I suppose. I think Dan still has his rockets inside. See the later.

[Richard Eldritch]

Same here I am in Torquay and we had NO frost, could have planted them in January I suppose. I think Dan still has his rockets inside. See the later.

Forget ya Monty Dons and Titchmarshes, someone should get Dan on ta' telly....

[Potstubsdustbins]

#20 I used to grow Swift because they are .... swift that is. I grew them along side my Lady C as they are quicker by a couple of weeks but they do not have the taste.

A lot of folks reckon Lady C as a tasty spud I certainly do. I use the small containers as new spuds but I leave the dustbins for a few extra weeks 16 to 18 that way I get a mix of nice small boiling spuds and larger ones which make great bakers and chippers.

Last year AP recommended RDofY and I grew them on his recommendation suffice to say no more Swift in this garden. They are very nearly as quick as Swift but a darn sight tastier.

[Kristen]

If rocket are not the tastiest what are?

Personal preference I reckon ... and some of it comes down to husbandry (inc. soil and the like) as well as the weather. All gardeners that I know complain that some varieties, which they grow every year, don't taste as nice, or fall to bits on cooking, some years.

I grow one bag of Rocket, purely for speed, hence why I think you should harvest yours sooner rather than later. I grow a couple of bags of Arran Pilot (which we like) and one of Charlotte (which we like more, but is slower [2nd early]), then I plant 6 Arran Pilot outside, really early, and suffer keeping any late frost off them ... and the rest of the Arran Pilot and the Charlotte at a more "reasonable" planting time so that they are only now putting on some height, and would have been no trouble to protect from a late frost.

But Down South you would get away with a far more aggressive planting timetable than me.

I remember as a child having new potatoes was something really special, nowadays they are just small potatoes. or maybe my taste buds are shot.

Jersey Royals probably ...

Maybe next year I will try international kidney and use sea weed, I got plenty of that in Torquay.

Not know any discerning gardeners who thought that home-grown International Kidney was worth growing a second time. Reputedly Jersey gets it flavour from the amount of seaweed used over generations - rather than just a one-season-deal.

My advice would be to buy tubers loose, e.g. in your local garden centre, and get 4 or 6 of each, plant out, and have a tasting session to see what your household likes and then major on those in following years

[Bill HH]

Personal preference I reckon ... and some of it comes down to husbandry (inc. soil and the like) as well as the weather. All gardeners that I know complain that some varieties, which they grow every year, don't taste as nice, or fall to bits on cooking, some years.

I grow one bag of Rocket, purely for speed, hence why I think you should harvest yours sooner rather than later. I grow a couple of bags of Arran Pilot (which we like) and one of Charlotte (which we like more, but is slower [2nd early]), then I plant 6 Arran Pilot outside, really early, and suffer keeping any late frost off them ... and the rest of the Arran Pilot and the Charlotte at a more "reasonable" planting time so that they are only now putting on some height, and would have been no trouble to protect from a late frost.

But Down South you would get away with a far more aggressive planting timetable than me.



Jersey Royals probably ...



Not know any discerning gardeners who thought that home-grown International Kidney was worth growing a second time. Reputedly Jersey gets it flavour from the amount of seaweed used over generations - rather than just a one-season-deal.

My advice would be to buy tubers loose, e.g. in your local garden centre, and get 4 or 6 of each, plant out, and have a tasting session to see what your household likes and then major on those in following years

You know Kristen I was beginning to think you had disappeared. You give superb advice on most subjects garden related.

[Kristen]

You give superb advice on most subjects garden related.

That's only coz the ones I don't know about I keep my trap shut!

[sparrow100]

I've been trying different spuds over my very short growing career. Desiree and Charlottes are now 'musts' for us, but I've not got a good first early (Swift and Duke of York both awful when I grew them). I'm trying Lady Christl and Pentland Javelin this year for a taste test.

My tatties inna bag are huge, already (planted end of March) looking like they will flower soon and it's very hard not to have a sneaky furtle. And I'll try the canes and string because they are starting to flop a little over the edge.

[Kristen]

Charlottes are now 'musts' for us

Us too, its the main spud we grow to use "during the season"

I've not got a good first early

We like Arran Pilot - not that that means that you will, or should even try it

(Swift ... awful when I grew them)

Me too.