Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Sheena on March 07, 2007, 11:48

Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: Sheena on March 07, 2007, 11:48: I'm just wondering when the folks in the south of England start planting potatoes? I have Maris Pipers and Anya salad potatoes. I know that the Maris are maincrop but I'm not sure what to do with the Anya.

What happens if you plant them too soon?

We are in London by the way.
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: WG. on March 07, 2007, 12:16: No-one else will agree with me but I'd say the only reason not to plant now is if your ground is waterlogged.

I reckon that chitting is a total waste of time - better in the ground where they can develop roots and not just sprouts.

Mine are planted already (in Northern Scotland). They will probably get frosted in late May or early June but it happens every year and does them no lasting harm at all.

Treat Anya as an early maincrop.
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: Sheena on March 07, 2007, 12:24: Whisky,

thanks for that!

I confess I planted one bag of tatties I got from poundland (only 10) this morning, just to see what would happen. The bloke in the neighbouring allotment told me it was too wet, but I thought I would take my chances.

I will keep the other varieties for a bit yet I think.
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: milkman on March 07, 2007, 13:25: I'll probably be planting mine this weekend or next weekend.
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: Aidy on March 07, 2007, 15:35: I generally go for the end of March, had a wonder round on Monday and no one yet has even dug the trenches for them so I reckon it will be end of the month for most. I know 1 chap put a row in early and cover it with fleece but he hasnt done it this year so me thinks it wasnt that good last year.
Title: Re: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: Jim T on March 07, 2007, 21:31: Quote from: "Sheena"
I'm just wondering when the folks in the south of England start planting potatoes? I have Maris Pipers and Anya salad potatoes. I know that the Maris are maincrop but I'm not sure what to do with the Anya.

What happens if you plant them too soon?

We are in London by the way.

We are in NW England and everyone here has a slogan:

Never plant your spuds till Paddy's day, which, I am told, is March 17 :tongue2:
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: Bigbadfrankie on March 07, 2007, 21:50: If its wet and cold and the spuds are in they just go slow. Infact spuds planted latewr can overtke them. But we all play mainly at the weekends so getting them in on a dry weekend is no crime you will still have a crop.
The main problem on an allotment is the later you are the more chance of getting involved in the BLIGHT that every one will have.
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: king cauli on March 08, 2007, 10:49: im in the midlands and i agree with the paddy day crack :)
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: BillinPA on March 08, 2007, 17:52: You are all making me jealous :cry: I'm looking out onto snow covered frozen ground :mrgreen: It'll probably be another month til I'll be able to plant :roll:
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: Axe Victim on March 08, 2007, 19:13: Well, my first earlies went in today....lovely mild spring day...bright sunshine and the earth is well warm (south facing well sheltered allotment).

Fingers crossed'

J :lol:
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: BillinPA on March 08, 2007, 19:18: Quote from: "Axe Victim"
Well, my first earlies went in today....lovely mild spring day...bright sunshine and the earth is well warm (south facing well sheltered allotment).

Fingers crossed'

J :lol:

NOW I'm REALLY jealous :wink:
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: muntjac on March 08, 2007, 19:20: shove em in the ground on the 21st march .... its gonna be dry then..... :wink:
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: BillinPA on March 08, 2007, 19:30: Quote from: "muntjac"
shove em in the ground on the 21st march .... its gonna be dry then..... :wink:

I hope you're right Munt, but here in Hanover Pennsylvania this morning we had 4 inches of snow and the temp was +9 degrees Fahrenheit. It might take a while to thaw......... :cry:
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: muntjac on March 08, 2007, 19:34: sorry bill i meant 21st june for you mate :wink:
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: BillinPA on March 08, 2007, 19:55: Quote from: "muntjac"
sorry bill i meant 21st june for you mate :wink:

Thanks mate :D
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: pwgun on March 08, 2007, 21:36: put mine in a week or so ago in the southeast.. they did have a bit of a swim end of last week though.
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: Salkeela on March 08, 2007, 21:53: Some went in yesterday....

Homeguard
Saxon &
Pink Fir Apple

Put on my cardboard & compost bed - spuds nestled into the compost and copious amounts of old hay spread over the top.

An experiment - but I'm told it will work!
Title: When to plant potatoes?
Post by: liz from the fizz on March 08, 2007, 21:58: Oh how dismaying to read all this about planting, sowing etc.. i still dont have my allotment, its still sky high in brambles and other stuff and the council wont let me have it til it has been ploughed and the women is so bl..dy slow it might be june before i get it. i am feeling totally hacked off.