really thick question about spudS!

[Neek]

This may sound premature but how do you tell when pots are ready, I planted 31 tubers so far (and have 29 to go!), I have them spread all round in blk potato tube things, pots, old manure bags awmywhere rather than put them in the ground and the early ones are now at least two feet tall and I can't cover them fast enough, I'm hoping that when the first ones are ready I can plant another lot straight after - this is the first time I've done anything in the garden and everythings come up I spent 10 hours in the garden yesterday planting beetroot, broad beans, peas, beans, radish and more pots!!

[Nicos]

Once they finish flowering you can start having a poke around in the soil to see if you can find any spuds- bet you'll have a peek before then anyway!! Leave until your'e happy with the size. I don't think main crop flower so once the haulms start to die back is about right.

[Worldor]

If you put potatoes in a bin do you have to put holes in the bottom for drainage please?

[Squirrel]

I would imagine so, while pots like a lot of water, they would rot if we had a lot of rain and there was no drainage.

[Worldor]

Thank you for that. I have planted into the ground this year in a very small plot but had a go at a bin last year and got nothing. I may have another go in containers as well.

[SueA]

Worldor, first or second early & salad potatoes grow best in containers. You do need to put drainage holes in the bottom & earth them up inside the pots as they grow. Keep an eye on watering though as they can dry out very quickly in containers- that might be why yours failed before. People say they're ready when they flower but mine have never flowered so I just judge the length of time they've been growing 12-16 weeks depending on the variety & feel around in the compost to see if any tubers have developed.

[eskymo]

Pentalnd Javlin doing fine

I took some pics of my potatoes today as I think they're doing really well and wanted to share that with you guys!

I've been earthin them up and will soon be able to unfold the whole compost bag as they're groeing so quickly!

[fruit&vegvirgin]

my first earlies should be about ready, based on when I put them in tho they havent flowered, and I'd like to serve them up this w/e - is it ok to have a grub about and see if there are any? and if there arent enough or they're too small can I just cover them up again?

[Peter]

Yes and Yes.

[fruit&vegvirgin]

thanks Peter!

[fruit&vegvirgin]

well, I had a bit of a grub with a handfork, but only found one the size of a cherry!! should I go back with a proper fork, or leave them for a bit? I'm worried about severing them from the plant, and then having no spuds...

[Nicos]

I'd leave them for a couple of more weeks as we are due for some more rain which should swell them.

[fruit&vegvirgin]

was afraid someone would say that, I really want to serve them up to guests this w/e!!! will have to buy jersey royals and pass them off as my own!

[Doggler]

Just took advantage of a break in the rain to go out and earth up my Maris Peers. Very exciting. Also noticed a couple of green sprouts in my bucket of Nicola and one Melody. Nothing so far in the Cara or the Pentland Javelin but I planted those pretty late so don't expect anything for a while. Bring on the sunshine!

[fruit&vegvirgin]

spoke to my brother this w/e, who laughed at me trying to find spuds before the plants had flowered... I've got vales emerald earlies, and am going to leave them til we come back from Spain now - mid June. can just about find flower buds if I look hard, cant earth them up any more coz they're at the top of the raised beds - oh well, we'll see!