[rodit]

Hi all. I want to grow some new potatoes and is it to late and what is a good variety, The smaller potatoes the better. Any advice is welcome as I havent got a clue.
Thx

[DD.]

Firstly welcome to the forums.

Your problem is that it's way too late to find any in the shops, never mind being able to chose a variety! The usual planting time is March/April.

You will shortly be able to get those specially prepared to be ready for Christmas, but they do not come cheap. For example..

http://www.dtbrownseeds.co.uk/catalogue/product/60395/

There is a very high failure rate amongst those who have tried to do this and if you're new to it, I'd advise against it.

Some may say to try planting some shop bought spuds, you may be OK, but it's something I would personally not do as you run the risk of passing on disease.

You may be best sitting this one out until next year, when you'll be spoilt for choice and can plant at the normal time.

[Kristen]

Good answer DD

Another link (specific page for Christmas spuds )

http://www.jbaseedpotatoes.co.uk/autumn-and-Christmas-potatoes-c11.html

I'm seriously tempted!  My First Early Containers will be free by then, gotta do something with them, right?!!

[Mike.white]

Needs a greenhouse, surely?

(But I'm interested, lol!)

[Plottered]

would a cold greenhouse do the trick? im also interested.

[DD.]

Good answer DD

Why, thank you!

[Plottered]

I emailed the people at Kristens link to ask about growing in a cold greenhouse and this is the reply

Hi Roy
 
I have never tried them in a cold green house and it would be interesting to see if it did work. You would have to be sure to clean the greenhouse out so that no blight could be spread to the potatoes.
All you can do is try.
 
Regards
 
 
Iain

[Janeymiddlewife]

I've grown some in a dustbin for the last 2 years on my patio at home, against a south facing brick wall. It's fairly sheltered, and I've had a small crop each year - but I did grow supermarket spuds, not seed pots.
I start them in August, water well, then wrap the bin up in newspaper & binliners once the frosts start, plus cover the leaves with fleece at night. I've not suffered any blight as i think the leaves are well below the dustbin rim at the time blight peaks.