[andy dewar]

Hi when is it time to dig up main crop potatoes and iv  heard its best to leave them on top of the earth for a while , is this true thanks for any help  Andy

[gobs]

Once they have flowered off, could be a general rule of thumb. They can be left for some time after, however, leaving it more than a few weeks later - depending on the weather - you are risking tuber quality.

Definitely lift, when the plants seem to die back. Yellowing.

[gobs]

Hi when is it time to dig up main crop potatoes and iv  heard its best to leave them on top of the earth for a while , is this true thanks for any help  Andy

I forgot to quote you, so didn't answer your other question: yes, do harvest on a dry, sunny day, if possible and leave to dry after lifting for a few hours. Only that much though... Otherwise they all shall grow green and toxic...

[andy dewar]

thanks mate great help

[TheWhiteRabbit]

I dug up my first Pink Apple Fir today - got a decent harvest of good sized spuds. Very tasty...very happy 

[Salmo]

In theory you can leave main crop potatoes in the ground until there are frosts. Most of the commercial crop is lifted mid-September to mid-October.

The only danger of leaving them in the ground once the tops have died back is that slugs can ruin them.

Having said that they do seem to keep better if you can wait until the weather is cooler.