[phil7]

When do you know that it is time to harvet your potatoes?

[mumofstig]

are they early spuds, 2nds or main crop?

It's usually a little while after they flower, but that does depend a bit on which of the above they are 

[Ice]

Agree with mum and I also can't resist a little furtle in the soil to make absolutely sure they are ready.

[potatogrower]

i normally wait when its flowered, flowers die and foliage begins to die down then dig up carefully without damaging the spuds.

[mumofstig]

but I wouldn't want to wait that long for earlies 

[fatbelly]

In the past I have grown Earlies and only harvested then at 12 weeks onwards, whilst at the same time I have been paying big bucks for New Pots from the shops.

This year I have planted more Earlies than usual and intend to start lifting them at 10 weeks even if they are small and enjoy them. I have also got one Lady Chiltl plant in a container which I have been keeping in the G/house on cooler days and nights and putting out on warmer days, with the hope that I will get a crop around 9 / 10 weeks.

So for me I will be lifting my Earlies from 10 weeks on, my 2nd earlies from about 15 weeks onward and my Mains will stay in the ground for the full 20 weeks lifting in September ish for Winter storage.

Out of interest I planted my 1st and 2nd earlies on the 14th & 15th March and my Mains went in on the 10th April.

[Jamie Butterworth]

After they have flowered, carefully take the plant out of the compost, take of any decent sized potatoes, leave any small one on the plant, then carefully plant the plant back into the compost, then a week later, do the same again, you can do this about 4 times before the plant finaly collapses

[solway cropper]

On 17th February I planted five Lady Christl potatoes in a large fish box in the greenhouse. These were put outside early in April and have been growing well ever since. Today I had a 'furtle' round under the compost and found lots of marble-sized tubers. With plenty of water and some tomato feed I should be harvesting them in early May when they are still a silly price in the shops.

I should add that these are not the only tatties I have.

[lancashiregardeninggal]

After they have flowered, carefully take the plant out of the compost, take of any decent sized potatoes, leave any small one on the plant, then carefully plant the plant back into the compost, then a week later, do the same again, you can do this about 4 times before the plant finaly collapses

Thats a very good tip Jamie - do you know I usually just tip out the bag of mine but I won't any more - thanks for that

[skyelass]

Adding on to Jamies advice, I after the flowers are died back I leave for two to three weeks, I dont take them all out at the same time so that they can get a chance to get a wee bit bigger. I take them all out by the tattie holiday (2nd week in october).

[DD.]

After they have flowered, carefully take the plant out of the compost, take of any decent sized potatoes, leave any small one on the plant, then carefully plant the plant back into the compost, then a week later, do the same again, you can do this about 4 times before the plant finaly collapses

The OP may be growing in the ground, some of us actually do that! 

[totalnovice]

After they have flowered, carefully take the plant out of the compost, take of any decent sized potatoes, leave any small one on the plant, then carefully plant the plant back into the compost, then a week later, do the same again, you can do this about 4 times before the plant finaly collapses

The OP may be growing in the ground, some of us actually do that! 

Potatoes in the ground?! are you mad?! 

I tend to have a furtle under ground just after flowering to see how things are going. i check out a couple of plants along the rows.

[DD.]

Moi aussi.

No only that - I do as well. 

[solway cropper]

These are Lady Christl harvested at 10 weeks and Pentland Javelin harvested at 12 weeks.

[Trillium]

Must admit, I too am a furtler