When is the latest to plant potatoes

[adjohnson1971]

Hi everyone.

Due to building work happening on my house, I've not been able to get onto my allotment. However all that is to change and I know I'm now months behind everyone else but this weekend is dedicated "catch up time"!!! Anyway to the question, what is the latest I can plant my spuds- both firsts and main crops. I know the logical answer is try it and see, however I don't want to bust a gut for no reward- if that makes sense. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[Snoop Puss]

I see you're in Plymouth. How many weeks till your first frost? Certainly your first earlies should be OK. Work out how many weeks your maincrops need and count back.

I was once given some potatoes at about this time of year and planted them out very grudgingly, feeling obliged to do so as they were a gift. They did better that I expected. Our first frost is mid-October.

[Penellype]

It doesn't really matter when you plant them within reason - you will just have to wait until later for the spuds. The main issue with later planted potatoes is blight, so it does depend a bit on whether you tend to get blight in your area or not.

As long as you get them in before July you should have new potatoes before Christmas, although if they are this late you will need to cover them if frost is forecast. Last year I planted my Christmas new potatoes (Charlotte) on 31st July.

[adjohnson1971]

Thanks for your replies, down here in sunny Plymouth we can go well into November before frost strikes. I guess that gives me a good 5 months??

[maverick451]

I sew some very early Latah tomatoes in july last year and still got a crop

It might be idea to top any cordons after 2 or 3 trusses of fruit and get what you can

[Snoop Puss]

Thanks for your replies, down here in sunny Plymouth we can go well into November before frost strikes. I guess that gives me a good 5 months??

Sounds like you've got time, then, unless you've got a very late maincrop. Pink Fir Apples, for example, take 18 to 20 weeks. That said, I left my PFAs in the ground all winter (no room to store them indoors) and most of them were still like new potatoes come the following February, when I dug up the last ones. They had also grown during the winter, which surprised me. If you have mild winters and not too many problems with underground critters, that might work for you.

Penellype's remark about blight is a very good one. I didn't think about that. I still reckon it's worth giving them a go, though.

[Containergardener]

I've only just done my earlies as I'm way behind too..and a lot further north.
Get them in I say .

[rary]

I think the biggest problem down your area would be water for them if you are in a average to high rain fall area there is no problem, if a low rain fall area you can still plant them but will need watered