New potatoes for christmas

[John Yeoman]

How to avoid earthing up potatoes

If you really have to grow potatoes in the soil (as opposed to a barrel ) a silly idea that I've found works is to make the spud earth itself up. One year, I rammed several inches of comfrey leaves into deep narrow holes. I put a chitted potato on top of the comfrey. (Yes, you do have to chit them or they rot, I find.)

I covered the spud lightly with soil. As the leaves rotted, the potatoes descended and they earthed themselves up.

No, this is not a shaggy dog story. Absurdly, it worked!

I'm now working on the self-weeding garden. I may be some time...

[Nicos]

Not heard that one before JY!!

...oh - and welcome to the Vine!

[Munch]

We grew spuds in a big black bin this year, but produced a pathetic offering I know why now and think I know what to do.

But I thought spud growing was over for this year. Am I reading right, can I bung some more in?

If so what sort and can I buy the seed spud from anywhere to do it?

Any advice gratefully received.

Ta muchly

[Suky]

Great bump twosheds ... So am I right in thinking I can plant some spuds now? I have a free bed ready........will the frost not kill them? gonna have a bare plat soon unless I get planting stuff. Planning on sticking some onions and garlic in.

Christmas spuds need planting in tubs etc. that can be bought under cover before the first frost. They can't be grown outside.

[Flummery]

You can get them from specialist growers. JBA potatoes will have them. Maybe a bit late now though.

[Alison]

I'm giving some a go this year and they're already well through and more compost has been put on top. Fingers crossed for a crop.

[Saucy Sailoress]

Near beginner here.... What is chitting?

[chris]

Allowing the seed potato to sprout shoots in a cool, light place. They'll be short, greeny-purple sprouts that give it an edge when planted..

If you see long white spindly shoots - they need rubbing off as they've sprouted in the dark. There's loads of info in new shoots forum, under tattiemans potato post!

[chris]

Here, check this thread out: http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...0-a_26499.html

Some people say it's not needed, some do. I've done both - not harvested my non-chitted spuds yet, but my chitted ones produced well.