Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Growing => Growing in Greenhouses & Polytunnels => Topic started by: Longshanks on January 25, 2021, 11:57
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I'm going to grow potatoes(first earlies) in a container(old plastic water tank) in my poly tunnel. They arrived at the weekend. When can I get away with planting them?
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Will there be any heating in the polytunnel?
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No, but it's ok inside even when freezing outside.
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temperature of the soil is useful. If they cannot grow they will rot. A bucket is suitable it will hold 3 potatoes.
Doing the same outdoors will not use valuable poly space.
If aiming for Christmas spuds then buckets get moved to polytunnel October.
If planting in poly, then Feb, but will not be ready before late june early July, as the same time as outdoors.
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Not in a polytunnel but Im planning to grow some arran pilots (currently chitting in shed) in bags and starting in the greenhouse then moving to the patio later on. Have no idea how well this will work but will be worth a try.
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just be careful when moving bags so they do not move the contents.
Soil is normally added in stages as the tops grow.
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just be careful when moving bags so they do not move the contents.
Soil is normally added in stages as the tops grow.
I add mine all at once, don't really think it makes any difference though..
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just be careful when moving bags so they do not move the contents.
Soil is normally added in stages as the tops grow.
Aye, I've been thinking I need to suss out a way to move them very carefully, not come up with anything yet though.
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If planting in poly, then Feb, but will not be ready before late june early July, as the same time as outdoors.
They would take 18 weeks, even if they were first earlies? Normally first earlies are ready after about 10 weeks, add 2-3 weeks for a colder start with less daylight they would be ready late May/early June, unless late winter and spring were colder than average.
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How are your potatoes doing now? I have a tub of Earlies in my polytunnel and the plants are thriving. I have no idea if there are any potato tubers though! :nowink:
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I just harvested them today from the top of the tub. They're great and it looks like I have a tubful to eat. Quite pleased. I'm now wondering if I dig them all out, whether I can plant my leeks in the tub - same soil.
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The compost will have used up all its nutrients. If you do use it to grow the leeks (and I'm not sure that I would), then make sure you add fertiliser to the compost.
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Yes will do. I have loads of leeks, so might be worth experimenting.
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Every year I grow Pentland Javelin 1st earlies in large buckets which I start off in my greenhouse in mid March depending on the temp. It's important to pre chit in January to get them started. Keep topping the soil up as the haulms grow till the soil reaches the top. By this time it's usually early May and too warm in the GH so I move the buckets onto the plot. At this time watering is v important because the tubs soon dry out. I use the same compost for about 3 years but by year 3 using liquid fertiliser is important. Doing it this way I have new pots 3/4 weeks earlier than those on the plot.