Potatoes - when to take off black plastic?

[1Bee]

I've planted out my charlotte potatoes, and covered them over with the black plastic that was mulching the bed beforehand. How long do we think before I need to be checking every day to see if it needs to be taken off? I'll replace it with fleece at that point, but I had the plastic to hand and not the fleece when they went in, so...

I don't want to grow them under plastic, I prefer to earth up etc.

[Snoop Puss]

What can you see if you peek underneath?

[1Bee]

Er. Mud....

I guess I'm asking what the safe margin of not peeking is...

[It never rains..it pours]

Presuming weather similar to here, last weekend toke black plastic off so could plant the second half with Charlotte and the Arron Pilot planted on 09/03/18 were no where to be seen on top but are rooting nicely as accidentally dug one up

[Snoop Puss]

Well, I'd say, if there's not much happening underneath, you could leave it a while longer. You're going to have to keep peaking. One thing you don't want is for any new leaves to get nipped by cold. You're a fair way north. When is your last frost? Mine are still chitting...

[1Bee]

May sometime. According to the numbers I'm a couple of weeks early, but I managed last year with fleece. We've got family staying at the weekend and the weather doesn't look promising. I was wondering if I really needed to peek much in the first week or two.

[Snoop Puss]

Ah, if it's only the first week or so, then probably no need to peek. Depending on how deep you planted them, it could be a while before they bust through the ground.

Have a nice weekend.

[jackarmy]

When did you plant them 1bee yesterday ?, if so you should be pretty safe for a good 3 probably 4 weeks depending how deep you put them.

[1Bee]

Fab, Jackarmy, that's helpful. I planted them on 26th March, about 4 inches deep, so it looks like I'm good for at least a couple of weeks.

[geepee]

These were planted in MFB's 9th March and just 'Lifted the lid' today.
They have been in a warm (12-15* under lights now)
I would think you will be safe for at least 3 weeks from planting date outdoors 1 bee.
keep a constant watch though as they will quickly perish under black poly once they reach the surface.
Gp

[1Bee]

Thanks GP.

[It never rains..it pours]

For info toke my plastic off and a few of the arron pilot have started poking through so will only cover for frost now. But bed in good order having missed the monsoon lately. Slight issue is think a long tail visited, suspect was warm on a cold night, next door chooks no doubt had visit too