Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Kathogur on March 19, 2017, 17:00

Title: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Kathogur on March 19, 2017, 17:00
I have my spuds all ready to go into the ground.  Please tell me if they can go in soon.  I really want to get something in.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: mumofstig on March 19, 2017, 17:08
I've planted my earlies this week, but it's been a bit warmer down here.
This site
http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/main/weather1.asp
lets you set your location and it tells you when to sow/plant things, but you should be ok to plant within the next week or 2.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: jaydig on March 19, 2017, 17:09
Mine are going in at the end of this week, weather permitting.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: upert on March 19, 2017, 17:58
Easter in my bit of Brum - weather permitting. Be prepared to earth up when a frost threatens.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Wiltshire Worms on March 19, 2017, 18:06
Looking like easter weekend for me, if this drizzle ever stops
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: m1ckz on March 19, 2017, 18:23
all my earlies went in last week   main crop will be in this week  an all earthed up
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: AndyRVTR on March 19, 2017, 19:45
Mothers day every time.. easy to remember.. :nowink:
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Mr Rotavator on March 19, 2017, 20:05
First earlies went in yesterday.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: greenjay on March 19, 2017, 20:37
early enough yet to put potatoes in.
could have a lot of frost yet.
watch the forecast once shoots up and cover if there is a hint of frost.
always good to have early potatoes when they are so expensive to buy.
the taste of your own fresh from the ground unbeatable
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Kathogur on March 19, 2017, 21:08
Yeah,,,, not too long then.  Some one said about being in Brum, so I will wait another week.  Just said on Countryfile that is going to be cold and frost next Friday.  Cant wait to get em in.

Thank you for all the replies.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: mumofstig on March 19, 2017, 21:18
Easter in my bit of Brum - weather permitting. Be prepared to earth up when a frost threatens.
Easter can move between 22nd March and 25th April, the holiday was only used because it was sometimes the first day off for labourers to plant them. So, to me, it seems a bit strange to use such a moveable 'date' nowadays.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: DD. on March 19, 2017, 21:29
Even though my Grandfather was what you'd call a traditional gardener, he always said that the Easter thing was nonsense.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Salmo on March 20, 2017, 00:13
I planted a short row of earlies a week ago but the rest will probably wait until April. The earlies will probably be up before the frosts have finished but 4 yards is not a lot to cover. With luck the rest will keep their shoots below ground a little longer.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: stompy on March 20, 2017, 07:51
Mine will be going in on Saturday (so long as i don't have to work) thats my earlies, Charlotte and Jazzy then my maincrop Desiree if i have enough time/energy.
Not sure about anyone else but i don't earth mine up until the shoots start to show, only then do i start earthing up until about the middle of May when the threat of frost has prety much gone.  :unsure:

I don't understand the need to earth up on planting day, it doesn't seem to serve any purpose?

Andy
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: MustbeMad on March 20, 2017, 09:00
My 1st earlies will go in next week and the 2nd earlies a couple of weeks later, sadly no space for main crop. One of the beds I have actually finished on the new plot 😀 so 16x3 in the 16ft x 4ft  bed. Is this the right amount?

My neighbour planted his yesterday and it is very spring like up here (that will cause a frost now!).
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: jambop on March 20, 2017, 09:06
I have not put mine in yet and I live in the south of France ! Mainly due to the condition of the soil. I hate working with wet sticky soil.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: arh on March 20, 2017, 10:50
get further up the"slope" Jambob :D
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: al78 on March 20, 2017, 11:17
I've put my first earlies in on Saturday. They will take at least 3-4 weeks to emerge from the soil so it doesn't matter if we get frosts in the next fortnight or so. Once they emerge I earth up anyway which provides protection against those light frosts which tend to occur in mid-late Spring. Once we get to mid April it is unlikely that full winter conditions will return (we didn't really have proper winter in the winter).
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: harry on March 20, 2017, 11:54
Hope to plant my earlies next week weather permitting.  :tongue2:
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Hampshire Hog on March 20, 2017, 13:17
Looks like next week for me too. Been meaning to put up my blow away greenhouse and move them out from conservatory where they are chitting but wind means that is unwise at present.

Cheers HH
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: I Love Spuds on March 20, 2017, 13:31
I did my earlies last weekend, in bags. Moving house in 2 days so wanted them done as i don't know when I'd have got around to them.  :unsure:
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Redgoat on March 21, 2017, 12:05
Was going to plant my earlies tomorrow (NE Wales) but the forecast is for very wet weather so will go for Monday .
2nd earlies in start of April
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: aelf on March 21, 2017, 12:14
Any time after the 1st April for me. I feel the ground is too cold here before that date and when, in the past, I've planted during March they seem to take longer to grow so there is little advantage that I can see.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: juvenal on March 21, 2017, 19:04
Planting Charlotte and Duke of York today in Dorset.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: jaydig on March 21, 2017, 19:07
Finished digging over the beds ready for the potatoes, which I will plant on Friday.  I always plant earlies, seconds and mains all at the same time.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: pauly58 on March 23, 2017, 11:19
Mine are going in at the weekend  up here in south yorkshire
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: arh on March 23, 2017, 13:09
Mine (Desiree), went into the bags on 13th, but i don't' expect another frost here this side of November, never had one this late since I moved here 4 years ago, I think we had 3 this year. Lack of rain is our problem.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: p6t6 on March 23, 2017, 13:37
Later next week. After the sunshine has dried out the ground a bit from the recent downpours.
I'll get some fleece down too, to raise the temp.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: AussieInFrance on March 24, 2017, 13:37
Desiree planted last week here in SW France. Planting in the top of the compost bin this year as all my ground is allocated for all 3 seasons (spring,summer and autumn).

The compost will continue to work away while the potatoes are growing. It's not needed until later in autumn for a top dressing anyway. Good use of space IMO.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: jaydig on March 24, 2017, 16:02
Put all my potatoes in this morning.  Having said that, I've only put in four rows this year, plus an experimental row with just a few tubers of five different varieties that I haven't tried before.  Just sat down after lunch, then tried to get up and everything aches!
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Thrutchington on March 25, 2017, 17:48
Hoping for first earlies in tomorrow then main crop end of April (mayday bank holiday weekend sounds good 🙂).
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Mr Rotavator on March 25, 2017, 19:46
Charlotte and Pinks Fir Apples went in today.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: miggs on March 26, 2017, 16:55
Not even thought about putting them in yet. Work up the last 2 days to a frozen car windscreen.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Yorkie on March 27, 2017, 19:04
Hoping for first earlies in tomorrow then main crop end of April (mayday bank holiday weekend sounds good 🙂).

Bear in mind that maincrop need the longest growing period, so that risks leaving it a little late for a decent crop.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Redgoat on March 27, 2017, 21:25
Earlies (Duke of York) went in today as did a row of second earlies (Anya) which i got from my mother in law,

Rest of second earlies and maincrop to go in next week
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Kathogur on March 29, 2017, 19:51
Saturday coming is going to be my spud day.  First will go in and a few weeks later the second crop.  Cant wait to get em in now.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: aelf on March 30, 2017, 09:57
I broke my own rule  :ohmy: :nowink: I generally wait 'til April but I put 2 rows of Charlottes in yesterday. 2 days early, will the world end?  :D
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: wapello on March 30, 2017, 19:24
 mine are in  6 x 8ft rows and the are just breaking the surface mind you the weather has been good
 here on the i o w.
 Garlic ,,onions peas and  3 types of carrots,,got my fleece tunels ready,,,
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: mumofstig on March 30, 2017, 19:48
I forked over last year's spud bed this morning, and all the ones I missed were growing, with shoots about 3ins long  :D So deffo time to get them in.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: stompy on March 31, 2017, 08:19
All of mine are going in on Sunday morning.
I'll be rotavating the plot then putting them all straight in.
1kg of Jazzy, 2kg of Charlotte, and 3kg of Desiree, probably not enough but it's enough for this year.

Andy
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Hampshire Hog on March 31, 2017, 17:59
Just put in my first earlies , hopefully no significant frosts forecast.
Cheers HH
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: DD. on March 31, 2017, 18:55
Hope to get mine in tomorrow, followed swiftly by the peas!
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: mumofstig on March 31, 2017, 19:09
My peas are already in  :D
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: DD. on March 31, 2017, 19:20
OK for you darn sarf.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: victoria park on March 31, 2017, 19:48
My cloche overwintered peas are starting to pod. I should have some pea action within 3 weeks. ::)
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: aelf on April 06, 2017, 13:41
Spuds all in now. 3 rows each of Charlotte and King Edward.

Roll on harvest, I love Charlottes with a little butter mmm  :tongue2: 8)
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Rhys on April 06, 2017, 21:27
I'm hoping to get onto my plot on Sunday, to at least rotavate it all. I've got some Sarpo Mira and Rooster on order from an organic seed company. Not going to plant a lot as I still have quite a few left over from last year in storage (if they are still ok). Had a look on the Sarpo website and quite like the look of some of the others, but Mira is popularly available, where the others aren't.


I've got to be careful I think as there's wireworm (one variety was riddled, won't be growing them again.. The Sarpo's seem  to be unaffected.)


I'm guessing that spuds should be ok where the sprouts were? Read that they shouldn't be planted in the same place for 4 years.. Shouldn't be too much of a problem as I don't need a vast amount and have a biggish plot.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Vagabond on April 06, 2017, 21:46
We've had a lot of cold wet weather over here but it's been dry and mild for the last few days so I'm going to get my spuds in this weekend. I was very pleased with my first attempts at veggie growing last year and I'm hoping it wasn't just a fluke!
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Wiltshire Worms on April 14, 2017, 21:56
As suggested in an earlier post, dressing table cleared, spuds in this morning!
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: aelf on April 24, 2017, 16:13
charlottes are just showing so I've covered them up again in lieu of the forthcoming predicted frost  :ohmy:
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: mumofstig on April 24, 2017, 16:31
charlottes are just showing so I've covered them up again in lieu of the forthcoming predicted frost  :ohmy:

I've run out of earth for covering  :ohmy:  so I've just put some bubblewrap over mine  ;)
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: Hampshire Hog on April 24, 2017, 17:15
Mine have started to show in their bags but I have covered them with a fleece cloche. Given the forecast I have attached bubble wrap on top to protect further. Don't know if it will save them but I have given it my best shot.
Title: Re: Potatoes, when to plant?
Post by: TheWhiteRabbit on April 24, 2017, 20:41
Yeah, mine were showing last week and I earthed them up then. I've had to do it again today and there's no earth left now. I popped some fleece over them as well.