What? No potatoes

[Imprudence]

This year is my first year with an allotment, and I planted 12 early potatoes about Easter (can't remember what variety)

Well they grew and I erathed them up faithfully: then the tops disappeared. When I first went to dig them up it was just after rain and I reached standing water and gave up. So today, a bit late, I went to finish the job. There's nothing there -- well a few little spuds, mostly soggy and rotten. I would have had more to eat if I had eaten the seed potatoes.

What did I do wrong? Should I bother next year?

[Hazel at the Hill]

Oh dear! Poor you, Imprudence - it sounds like they might have rotted off in all this soggy weather!

I most certainly WOULD try again next year! If weather permits I would dig them up at the first sign of dying back - as a 'fall back plan' you could plant a few up in buckets at home - put them in a sheltered spot (and be prepared to cover with fleece if it's chilly) and you could be eating the newest of new potatoes in the spring.....maybe try it for Christmas potatoes if you can find some seed potatoes now...?

Oh, and welcome to the Vine - you are in good company!

[Headfry]

Hi Imprudence, welcome to the forum.sorry about your potatoes!
This year is a hard year for vegetable growers!
Where in Oxford are you please?

[gingerneil]

go for pots / tubs / buckets next year (at least for some). You can control drainage etc much more easily.

[Snadger]

If you intend to grow a similar amount next year, plant em in buckets/tubs etc.
You could still do this even this year! If you planted some Carlingford or Charlottes in tubs now, and could protect them from the frost, you could be eating new potatoes with your Christmas dinner!

[bubblewrap]

My potato tops died off so I dug them all up (140+plants)last week. Got 3 bags I was hoping for 6 or 7 Still I got something!

[borage]

Snadger what size pots would you recommend and how many potatoes to a pot?

I have carlingford and charlottes on order awaiting delivery and have never grown potatoes before. I was thinking of planting them in the ground.

[Grovsey]

I had my potatoes in a 6x3 raised bed and they were the best ever this year. I think raised beds drain away more easily, but on the other hand in dry weather they dry out more quickly too....

[Imprudence]

I'm actually in the city, HeadFfy

[momol]

[QUOTE=borage;124596]Snadger what size pots would you recommend and how many potatoes to a pot?

I hope you don't find it rude if I tried to answer your question.
I have grown my potatoes in pots since last year. Last year I got 1.75 kg per pot ( it was in 35 cm diameter pot,45 cm deep, with 3 chitted potatoes, it was nicola I think ) and this year I got 1.48 kg per pot with the same size pot ( it was benji If I am not mistake ). I presume you could even use the slightly bigger pot and set more spud with the hope it will produce more. Happy planting,

Momol

[borage]

Hello Momol, thanks for answering my question will have a look at my pots and see what is suitable so that I can be ready for when the potatoes arrive.

[serenity]

hi borage, if you are planning to grow in pots i can recommend growing in flower buckets, i think they are 10l. this year i grew potatoes in several different types of containers and 1 potato planted per bucket gave he greatest rewards with all my earlies. i did try planting in larger 30l buckets with 2 and 3 potatoes in each and got aprox same amount of spuds as i had from the smaller tub at 3 times the cost and charlotte were the best taste hands down

[moggssue]

I've planted 3 per pot (being greedy, trying to get more out of a smaller space ) - do they need more room to grow than I have probably allowed them, if you're getting better crops with only planting 1? I have to say all the tops have now completely collapsed and are growing all over the garden like triffids, it's getting very difficult to see the pots to water