Storing potatoes in the ground

Rexmundi · « **on:** July 31, 2014, 12:49 »

My potatoes are beginning to die back and I have harvested about 10%.
I am about to go on holiday for 2 weeks and wondering if I can leave the rest of them in the ground? If so, would you suggest cutting off all the foliage?
Thanks

m1ckz · « **Reply #1 on:** July 31, 2014, 14:11 »

earlys or main crop

Snoop · « **Reply #2 on:** July 31, 2014, 14:33 »

If it's only for two weeks, I wouldn't think you'd have a problem leaving them in the ground.

surbie100 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2014, 14:43 »

You can def leave them in the ground. I'd only cut the foliage if I was worried about blight, which so far (touches wood) hasn't hit where I am.

simonwatson · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2014, 14:54 »

If you had blight on the tops, you'd cut them back and then leave them in the ground for a couple of weeks for any spores on the soil surface to die off before harvesting. Unless you've got someone who you trust to keep an eye on them and cut them back whilst you're away, I'd do it now.

Don't leave them in too long after you get back though, or you'll be left with loads of slug damaged spuds (speaking from experience)

Rexmundi · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2014, 18:38 »

Thanks for the replies. I'm not sure whether they're maincrop or earlies - I didn't take note, but will do for next year

The leaves are either dying back or have been affected by blight - I'm not experienced enough to know. There are dark circles on the most of the leaves and they've turned yellow, but the harvest so far has been good with no sign of pests or disease. I first started lifting some of them about 2 weeks ago. I have about 20 plants left and they have been grown in raised beds.

Think going by the consensus I will be cutting the stems just above ground level and harvest them when I get back.

Many thanks for the advice.

3759allen · « **Reply #6 on:** August 01, 2014, 17:14 »

i'd cut them back and leave.

i left the last of my mains in the ground for 6 weeks last year, due to not having any dry and cool/ frost protected space. they were fine, but i don't really have a problem with slugs so may have been lucky to avoid damage.

mine are starting to dye back now, as i think they've pretty much finished. the tops will be cut off mine within a couple of weeks.

BARNACLE BILL · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2014, 19:43 »

This year I have grown my early potatoes in sacks. They were ready 6 weeks ago and I have left them in the soil. Went and collected some tonight for the Sunday roast and they were fine. I would only be concerned about slug damage if left in the ground.

BB

Yorkie · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2014, 20:13 »

Some varieties are more slug-resistant than others. Charlotte is pretty slug-proof, I have found.

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Storing potatoes in the ground

Rexmundi

Storing potatoes in the ground

m1ckz

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

Snoop

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

surbie100

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

simonwatson

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

Rexmundi

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

3759allen

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

BARNACLE BILL

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

Yorkie

Re: Storing potatoes in the ground

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