When are you planting your first tatties of 2016?

[noviceveggrower]

I usually plant my first earlies the day after our wedding anniversary, so on the 19th of March, weather permitting. If its really cold and wet though they go in the next suitable day. The rest go in after the 1st of April when the rents are due. If its forecast any bad weather I usually just mound them up or fleece them for a bit.

[Scoot]

Mine usually go in around the start of Arpil. But it really depends on the weather and what condition the soil is in. If it's cold and/or wet, i just wait until the weather is a bit better.

[jonny the plant pot]

Mid to late March depending on the weather only gunna grow early rocket ones this year as the space now as been reduced on my plot with greenhouses and a poly tunnel as I get more enjoyment out of growing indoor stuff.

[seasprout]

I do mine the nearest weekend to St Patrick's day.

[Bill Door]

Well he didn't say when he dug them up or when he ate them.

I am planting early March (First and second earlies). I will dig them deeper than normal to protect from any frost that everyone else is expecting. No main crop this year as we hope to move.

I will be digging potatoes tomorrow for our Christmas lunch (pink fir apple) they went in end of April. I have five "plants" to dig and they have been very good so far

I am digging them tomorrow just in case they aren't there!

Bill

[bramble]

I aim for St. Patricks day as well subject tomthe weather being half way desent.

[Aberdeenplotter]

I aim for 20th April bearing in mind we can still get frost up here in early June.

It is naughty to suggest to anyone to plant spuds in the UK as early as 1st March and ridiculous in January and February.

[marcofez]

I aim for St Patrick's day as well, but it is always dependent on the weather at the time!!

[veggiechicken]

I aim for 20th April bearing in mind we can still get frost up here in early June.

It is naughty to suggest to anyone to plant spuds in the UK as early as 1st March and ridiculous in January and February.

Evans will correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this person works at a Garden Centre. Hope he doesn't give the same advice to the public

[Potstubsdustbins]

Just a caveat to AP's post, that's in open ground, if you grow in containers and can get them in the GH then mid Feb is acceptable for a few early spuds as you can always drop a fleece over them too should JF rear his head.

[Jonnyt]

Interesting thread. My Polytunnel reference book suggests they can be sown now and in January for a very early crop. I've seen small numbers in one Garden Centre.

However last year I sown some in mid February in the Greenhouse and in Mid March. To be perfectly honest there was nothing to choose between then, both seemed to mature around the same time so nothing was really gained by the earlier / riskier sowing.

This year it's Mid March for me.

[Alison]

Interesting thread. My Polytunnel reference book suggests they can be sown now and in January for a very early crop. I've seen small numbers in one Garden Centre.

I always put a few in during Feb in the polytunnel and although they'd probably grow OK underground (I've had a few volunteers up already) it's too dark for any decent top growth.

[4390evans]

@Veggie Chicken, he does work in the garden center but he works as santa or on the trash. I hope he hasnt gave anyone advice in the past if he has been caught by a customer.

I was checking my diary and I planted mine this year on good friday.

Can someone explain first earlies, main crop and the other one to me, as i usually just plant them as they come i to the shop...I am a bit confused why they are called earlies etc...

Is it 3 seperate times of planting ao you have tatties all year round?

[spamvindaloo]

The different names just relate to how long they take to grow. Earlies are earlier than maincrop. First earlies are the earliest earlies, then second earlies, then maincrop. You may also see early maincrop, which will be ready earlier than other maincrops.

Actual time to grow will vary with planting date and weather etc but in general (from memory so you might want to double check ), I believe first early should be ready after 9-12 weeks. Second early from 12-15 weeks and maincrop from 16-22 weeks. They can all be planted at the same time but will take different periods to grow.

[4390evans]

That was a very easy explination for my simple mind @spamvindaloo. Thanks for that. I thought it was something a bit more complicated xx