[Jo Loves Veg]

Dear Allotment people, I am half dead from all my recent allotment activity - 3 different types of potatoes in the ground (early / second early / early maincrop) and I just planted 10 asparagus crowns (thank you for your help)  But want to ask:
If the growing season is not as soaked as last year, I might be tempted to put some maincrop potatoes in the ground. I said I wouldn't because of the high likelihood of blight, but I am tempted (especially as I have taken on an extra quarter plot)  How late can you put maincrop in the ground and also, I guess I'd need to chit for a bit first, so what is the latest I can do this? cheers, jo.

[arugula]

Maincrops should take about 18 - 20 weeks to mature, so if you planted now they'd be ready at the end of September. Chitting isn't strictly necessary, it just helps, so you could get away without spending time doing that. As long as the soil is warm enough really and I guess where you are, it should be by now. DD. planted all his potatoes in June one year and still got a good crop, so you're not too late.

[fatcat1955]

I puy mine in on Monday, no need to chit Maincrop's.

[Willow_Warren]

Last year I planted my Maris Pipers on the 7th May!  They weren't large (only a few small jacket size), but they were plentiful (well I thought they were, but it was first time growing so I didn't know what to expece!) and most importantly taste...   I harvested them on the 1st September, but had but them back a couple of weeks earlier as I suspected blight so they did have a shortish growing time.

So I'd say there's time to get some in and get some rewards from them.

Hannah

[pdblake]

I had an email from D.T. Brown this morning advertising seeds spuds for immediate despatch, so presumably they're stil fine to go in. Or they just want to get shot of them

[scattygirl]

Jo, I planted mine on Tuesday evening.  They had been chitted.  We'll see what happens !!  (PS - I'm new to all this too )

[Jo Loves Veg]

thanks for all your replies - brilliant help, as ever. I love this forum  

I think I might take a risk on a small main crop.

btw -on a total random aside - several of my asparagus (1 yr old crowns planted last sunday) are sprouting a couple of inches tall already!!

[Growing4mykids]

I've picked up a bag of rooster today for 50p(5 in the pack) from wilko's, they're going in! 

[devonbarmygardener]

I've never done it - although I meant too - but you can plant potatoes in September to be ready for your C*****mas dinner.
So potentially, it's never too late!