Hooray ! My Lady Chrystals popped their heads up to the surface today. So what was all the fuss about ?
In the end, my potatoes were planted 22 to 24 March, a week later than last year, and have now surfaced only 3 days later.
Pleased I stuck to roughly my normal potato times, as being someone who doesn't spray anything, an early planting is more or less essential. The waterproof covered potato bed helped to keep it somewhat pliable for planting.
Plenty of soil to earth up against any frost. Like a Summer's day today, not a breath of wind.