[Middle Eastern Gardener]

Hello,  I wonder if you may have any ideas as to why so far - 5 plants dug - I have had so few potatoes from my Charlottes?  I had two plants in the poly tunnel - just to compare the difference - the rest are in the ground.  From the tops, everything looks good and healthy, soil is good, temperature has been good, regular watering as needed, a good amount of rain as well.   But, I have only had  4-6 potatoes from each plant.  They area good size and lovely flavour, just not enough!  Any ideas why?  I’m interested to see the responses, many thanks..

[jambop]

I have grown them again this year. I lifted a plant for the first of this year and got 1.5kg of really lovely potatoes . So maybe a bit like yourself not a huge crop but I am happy with them. Maybe you are just a bit early lifting them? I use a very small seed potato, as is the way down here, usually about 25 - 35mm so maybe I expect a smaller yield per plant but more plants per kg of seed usually makes up for small seed. Fertiliser makes a huge difference too! I did not use any this year only manure and compost so again this may be a reason I have a small crop per plant have you used fertiliser?

[snowdrops]

Off the top of my head Charlotte’s are a 2nd early so I think probably a bit early for harvesting perhaps except in your pt, as I assume you would have planted those 2 plants early?

[Middle Eastern Gardener]

Off the top of my head Charlotte’s are a 2nd early so I think probably a bit early for harvesting perhaps except in your pt, as I assume you would have planted those 2 plants early?

Thank you, I thought they were an early variety, so perhaps I have lifted them too early?  I will be a little more patient with the rest of the row.  Thank you very much

[Middle Eastern Gardener]

I have grown them again this year. I lifted a plant for the first of this year and got 1.5kg of really lovely potatoes . So maybe a bit like yourself not a huge crop but I am happy with them. Maybe you are just a bit early lifting them? I use a very small seed potato, as is the way down here, usually about 25 - 35mm so maybe I expect a smaller yield per plant but more plants per kg of seed usually makes up for small seed. Fertiliser makes a huge difference too! I did not use any this year only manure and compost so again this may be a reason I have a small crop per plant have you used fertiliser?

Thank you, no fertiliser, just lots of compost and manure.  This is the second year of our new veg patch in previously uncultivated ground.  Out of interest, where in south west France are you please, we are close to Pau..