[homegrown]

Hi all
Well nearly planting time
so when is everyone putting in their early potatoes? ?
Was thinking of geting some in really early
Iv just got a bag of pentland javelin chitting from poundland what a bargain
Also got kestrel .lady christl and bonnie coming soon
Cant wait for sum lovely spuds
Done well in bags on my first year last year hopefully can do it again

Also is it ok to re use the compost I used last year if I mix it up and put in sum fertiliser ??

Thanks dave

[arugula]

so when is everyone putting in their early potatoes? ?

Chitting from late this month, planting from mid-March.

[m1ckz]

mine are chitting as from today P  J from poundland

[shoozie]

Hi all
Well nearly planting time
so when is everyone putting in their early potatoes? ?

I don't know where abouts you are, so this might not be helpful!  Ours are planted after the first week in April (outside) along with the seconds and maincrop. 

Also is it ok to re use the compost I used last year if I mix it up and put in sum fertiliser ??

No, if you've used it for growing potatoes and intend using it again for potatoes, that's not a good idea.  If you're growing carrots this year, use the old compost for the carrot bed or pots.  Or add it to another non potato area.

[DD.]

I'd sooner put spuds in a bit late, rather than try and be early.

I'm still scarred by the June frosts of a couple of years ago.

[JayG]

I'm still scarred by the June frosts of a couple of years ago.

Perhaps you should have stayed indoors DD!    

[aelf]

Mine start going in around first week in April, depending on the weather. Need to be mindfull of ground frosts just as the first leaves are showing so I don't put them in too early. Patience is a virtue 

[Eblana]

Tradition here is to put them in the weekend after St. Patricks Day (17th March).

[surbie100]

Hopefully my spuds will arrive this month and will be in on St Patrick's day. And protected as far as I can against frost!

[shokkyy]

My local Wyevale have got their spuds in now and I've just realised I've forgotten to stockpile my egg cartons.

[Yorkie]

Seed trays are fine for chitting 

I put mine in when the soil is no longer claggy.  I like the idea of Good Friday, and have often resorted to this because it makes me think of my grandfather, who did the same.

[shokkyy]

Last year I did some extra early ones in February in my tunnel, and they worked really well. But this time I'm going to use polypots on the surface rather than planting directly into the soil, because it was too hard trying to lift them. The beds in there are 9 or 10 inches imported soil on top of rock hard compacted ground. Clearly the spud roots were having no problems getting down into it, but I was

[Willow_Warren]

I noticed B&Q had spuds in at the weekend, I ordered mine so I won't be starting anything till they arrive!

I'm getting quite excited about the prospect of starting to grow stuff again (not done much over winter!) I really hope it dries out a little though - where I'm putting my potatotes was all weed last year - so I've some prep to do...!!!

Hannah

[Daamoot]

Think I'll cover the ground with tarpolin in March then start planting a dreel per week from April.  We had severe frost in May last year so I wouldn't be surprised if it comes again this year

[richy]

Dont know your location but here in somerset we tend to plant chitted spuds from mid march until early may.