[dade]

blowing my own trumpet, but please support your local INDEPENDANT garden centre
as they not only carry a wide range but will store them in the right conditions for you.

[Bombers]

I popped into my local nursery back in October and ordered my seed potatoes.
They phoned me yesterday, just to let me know that they are now in stock. Would I get that service from Wyv&le? - I don't think so!.... Please support your local independant specialists, whilst they are still about!

[happy chick]

I agree with the above sentiments and will check out my local garden centres as well.  However, if they don't stock the right variety in the right amount I'll go somewhere that does!  Maybe kill two birds with one stone and take the family for a day out  

[matthew2riches]

Seed potatoes in Ipswich from B&Q Europark seem truly mistreated.  They are outside in the cold with no shelter from this frost and awful weather!

Go local - you'll feel better doing so.

[Nogger]

Ive just purchased picaso, kestral ,maris piper, and rocket, from my local garden centre £3.50 for a 3kg bag aprox,but does any one know what to do with them until its time to start chitting,
if you don't by them as soon as they come in, they have gone,i missed out last year  

[garddwr]

This post by Salmo is very useful.
Chitting seed is in essence advancing the potato lifecycle.

Buy the potatoes any time now and store them in a cool and frost free place. Many shops keep them too warm and they start to sprout. Do not buy them. A garage or shedis ok, they are fine in the dark at this stage. The important thing is to keep them cool so they do not start to sprout.

About 6 week before the expected planting date bring them into a warm and light place. After about a week the potatoes dormancy will break and sprouts, called chits, will appear in the eyes. They think it is Spring.

Once you can see the chits move the potatoes to a cool, light and frost free place. A cool geenhouse or shed window is fine but they may need covering or bringing inside if a frost is forecast.

They will hold like this until you are ready to plant. The chits will grow and become miniature potato plants. Around the base of each you will observe small baubles. These are the roots waiting to grow as soon as they go into the soil.

To get really early potatoes you will need to be prepared to protect tops against frost. I would aim to plant in early March which should give you the first taste in early June. To achieve this you will need to start off the chiting process at the start of February.

[superplanty]

Wilkos. About 8 varieties, £3 for approx. 3kg. Further varieties available in smaller packs. Usually in stores around end of Jan. Tried Pentland Javelin last year, very successful.