Late plantings of potatoes

[Deltawhiskey]

I want to plant some potatoes after some of the crops have finished in the raised beds. What is the latest in the south that I can plant them?

David

[wargarden2017]

the answer depends on what variety they are.
what type they are early,second early or main crop.
how many days from plant out till killing frost.
saying your in the south does not really help in answering the question.

[Penellype]

It is possible to plant early potatoes (Charlotte is the variety that is usually sold) as late as July for new potatoes at Christmas. But, and its a big but, there are 2 limiting factors. Firstly you need to be able to protect them against frost, either by having them in a moveable container so they can go in a greenhouse or garage if frost is forecast, or by covering them with a cloche. Secondly you need to be lucky and avoid blight. If your area is prone to potato blight this really isn't going to work.

I have tried this twice. The first time I was lucky and got about 1kg of new potatoes in December from 2 buckets. The 2nd time (last year) the whole lot was wiped out by blight after about 6 weeks, which is not long enough for anything edible to have been formed. I did also once try this with Sarpo Axona, which are blight resistant, but they are a maincrop variety and the yield was very poor.

[Deltawhiskey]

Thanks guys,
Fallow it is then.
David

[veggiechicken]

how many days from plant out till killing frost.
saying your in the south does not really help in answering the question.

I have to disagree wargarden. Saying that you live in the south means a lot to those of us who live in the UK. Its one of the warmest parts of the UK with the least frost problems.

Perhaps you would tell us where you live please?

[Snadger]

I have to disagree wargarden. Saying that you live in the south means a lot to those of us who live in the UK. Its one of the warmest parts of the UK with the least frost problems.

Perhaps you would tell us where you live please?

He's told you where he lives, through wargate and the house is at the end of wargarden!:

[Snadger]

Thanks guys,
Fallow it is then.
David

Nooooooooooooooooo!!! Not fallow! Plant summat, the soil will thank you for it!

[veggiechicken]

He's told you where he lives, through wargate and the house is at the end of wargarden!:

But whats the Plant Hardiness Zone at the end of the Wargarden?

[Deltawhiskey]

I live in the Southampton area close to the sea. We had about three frosts last winter only one of which was of any consequence. I've got parsnips, and kale that should continue into the cold. Any other suggestions for planting would be appreciated.

David

[Penellype]

Loads of stuff.

Just off the top of my head: broccoli, spring cabbage, chinese cabbage, mizuna, pak choi, winter spinach, perpetual spinach, chard, corn salad, chinese celery, hardy spring onions and the hardier varieties of carrot. Leeks are hardy enough but at this point you would probably need to buy plants rather than sow your own.

You can also plant hardy peas, onions and broad beans in the autumn to over winter and give earlier crops.

If you can provide some cover, winter lettuce should be fine. If nothing else, sow a green manure crop rather than leave the soil bare.

[Deltawhiskey]

Wow what a lot of choice. THE SOIL SHALL BE COVERED.