A couple of question on potatoes and broad beans

[Newbiegrower1970]

I planted a number of tubs of potatoes earlier in the year. They were in the conservatory until about March then outside. Watered a couple of times a week. They all have loads of foliage, about 5 ft tall, lots of flowers but I can't find a single potato. Is there any thing I can do at this stage or do I just scrap them?

My broad beans are about 2ft 6 tall, I have had quite a few beans already but most of the plants have stopped flowering. Can I encourage them to start again?

[vixylix]

Hi Newbiegrower,

What type of potatoes did you plant? It could be that they're only just starting to develop small potatoes now. I wait until the foliage is dying down before harvesting mine - which can be towards October / November.

I'm no expert on broad beans but my rough understanding is that they crop pretty much all in one go and then they're done.

someone clever will be along soon!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Early spuds about 12 weeks, 2nd early about 18 weeks and main crop 22 weeks and over.

Watering and feeding are important in container grown spuds, they should never be allowed to dry out as they are over 80% water when fully grown. Another point is that folks tend to water them leaving the top of the compost wet whereas it needs to be wet down where the roots are.

So what spuds do you have, how many weeks are you in and have you fed them at all?

Sorry can't help with your broadies, I am one of those funny folk who don't like them so don't grow them.

[Newbiegrower1970]

Potatoes pink fir apple some blue ones, i forget the name and some red ones with a white ring, I forget the name. Note to self "write stuff down next year, you will not remember!!!"

I've never liked broad beans either but you soon get to like them when you have them at every meal ��

[Newbiegrower1970]

I also can't remember when they were planted, January maybe. And I've fed them a couple of times with potato and root crop feed

[Potstubsdustbins]

Pink Fir Apple are a late main crop so they will need plus of 22 weeks.

If you planted in new compost it will have run out of nutrients at about 6 weeks and would then need feeding on a regular basis. I like to use Miracle grow for the first few weeks to get the haulm growing and when I consider the potatoes are starting to form I change to Tomorite for high potash.

Give them a good soak with a high potash feed to start with as your spuds will be forming and keep them well watered. Go through some gardening catalogues and see if you can nudge the memory as to what the other are and let us know.

[Newbiegrower1970]

Highland burgundy and apache definitely, and I think salad blue.

[veggiechicken]

Now that you've remembered the varieties, google them and find out whether they're maincrop or not. Count the weeks back to January and see what your expectations are.
Next year, label the pots with variety and planting date.

[Snadger]

PFA make huge top growth so you may need to stake them in pots. Don't give up on them, they are big croppers!

[BUFFS]

Potatoes pink fir apple some blue ones, i forget the name and some red ones with a white ring, I forget the name. Note to self "write stuff down next year, you will not remember!!!"

I've never liked broad beans either but you soon get to like them when you have them at every meal ��

Sounds like blue salad and highland burgundy tatties, very tasty, my tubs get half a gallon of water a day each, and that seems to suit them. I don't grow broad beans, I don't like the taste..

[Potstubsdustbins]

Crikey nearly fell of me chair VC being sensible.........