Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?

  • 9 Replies
  • 4252 Views
*

Sideways

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Sth Staffs.
  • 269
Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« on: August 05, 2009, 16:45 »
I planted a main crop, maris piper I believe, roughly x70 plants in total.

We have been eating them for a number of weeks now and roughly get through 2~3 plants a week, plus I give some to friends & family. There're delicious btw.

The thing is, there are still around x50 plants on the plot, that’s allot of spuds yet to eat, almost four months worth at the rate we are getting through them.

Options?
Give some away- Yes, I will continue to do this, and more.
Store them- This is my first year and I need to learn how to do this properly.

Question- Realistically, how long will the spuds survive in the ground?
The top growth is already starting to look a bit tired, will the spuds be safe under the soil for another few months?

Thanks.
We lived for days on nothing but food and water.

*

Tattyanne456

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Poole Dorset
  • 324
  • who says I only grow Mickey Mouse potatoes!
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2009, 17:11 »
Two schools of thought here, yes and no! I personally would dig them up, as I have today, because my thinking is that the longer they are in the ground, the more susceptible they are to attack from slugs, snails, wireworm, millipede etc etc. Though no doubt some will tell you that they will be fine in the ground.

*

DD.

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Loughborough. a/k/a Digger Dave. Prettiest Pumpkin prizewinner 2011
  • 30465
  • Pea God & Founder Member of The NFGG
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2009, 17:24 »
Please keep them in the ground.

Signed,

Mr. Slug :lol:
Did it really tell you to do THAT on the packet?

*

peapod

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: East Lancs
  • 6730
  • Pea Goddess
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2009, 17:52 »
Please keep them in the ground.

Signed,

Mr. Slug :lol:

Hoooh yes, once the carrots are out they've nothing left to eat! Poor things  :mad: :lol:
"I think the carrot infinitely more fascinating than the geranium. The carrot has mystery. Flowers are essentially tarts. Prostitutes for the bees. There is, you'll agree, a certain je ne sais quoi oh so very special about a firm young carrot" Withnail and I

*

Sideways

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Sth Staffs.
  • 269
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2009, 09:16 »
OK, lets imagine there are no slugs.

Will the spuds be happy in the ground for the next few months?

What other dangers are there? Do they rot easily?

*

Tattyanne456

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Poole Dorset
  • 324
  • who says I only grow Mickey Mouse potatoes!
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2009, 09:34 »
Theres still millipede and other insects that have the potential to do damage. As for rotting, that is always a possibility, if they are too wet, or become damaged. It sounds like you want to keep them in the ground, if so, you go for it, digging them up as you need them, if you find over the course of time that they are showing signs of damage, that maybe the time to get the rest of them out of the ground. Its down to personal choice.

*

Sideways

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Sth Staffs.
  • 269
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2009, 09:38 »
Theres still millipede and other insects that have the potential to do damage. As for rotting, that is always a possibility, if they are too wet, or become damaged. It sounds like you want to keep them in the ground, if so, you go for it, digging them up as you need them, if you find over the course of time that they are showing signs of damage, that maybe the time to get the rest of them out of the ground. Its down to personal choice.

Agreed, thats my plan, thanks.

*

Salmo

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: Peterborough
  • 3787
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2009, 09:41 »
Potatoes are fine in the ground until the threat of hard frosts, maybe mid October.

The two big threats are slugs and blight.

As you dig supplies each week you should take note of slug damage. If there is damage occuring you will need to lift and store. Some varieties are more suseptable to slug damage than others.

Any time now I would expect blight to infect the tops and then the stems and hence infect the tubers which will then rot. If the tops are starting to yellow and have done their job they are best cut off at ground level and removed.

*

Tattyanne456

  • Experienced Member
  • ***
  • Location: Poole Dorset
  • 324
  • who says I only grow Mickey Mouse potatoes!
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #8 on: August 06, 2009, 09:48 »
Salmo, I had to lift all my Maris Piper yesterday because of blight! The Arran Victory dont look too bad at the mo, but I will watch on a daily basis.

*

Yorkie

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Location: North Yorkshire
  • 26331
Re: Spuds- How long will they keep in the ground?
« Reply #9 on: August 06, 2009, 19:44 »
I have left Charlotte in the ground over winter once, they weren't too slug eaten and tasted fine.
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days all attack me at once...



xx
How long will Spuds keep in the ground

Started by rich24uk on Grow Your Own

2 Replies
2263 Views
Last post September 05, 2008, 12:36
by Sadgit
xx
How long can I leave my new pototoes in the ground?

Started by SweetPea on Grow Your Own

4 Replies
4725 Views
Last post June 21, 2006, 09:19
by John
xx
How long can carrots stay in the ground?

Started by BabyStar on Grow Your Own

6 Replies
14195 Views
Last post May 18, 2011, 16:25
by Rampant_Weasel
xx
How long can vegetables stay in the ground?

Started by Stevens706 on Grow Your Own

6 Replies
9466 Views
Last post October 01, 2006, 10:43
by Oliver
 

Page created in 0.397 seconds with 38 queries.

Powered by SMFPacks Social Login Mod
Powered by SMFPacks SEO Pro Mod |