[boogaloo]

Hello. Wonder if anyone can help. Have been looking at various different websites and information sources, and they seem to conflict on whether or not I can still plant potatoes now for Christmas Day spuds. Some sites seem to suggest that now's the time to do it (in containers), other that it's not possible.

Anyone able to shed any light? Many thanks!

Boog

[mumofstig]

Now's the time to plant , you stand a bit more chance if you can grow in tubs and move them to the greenhouse. Outside they face the double whammy of cold weather before they're ready to harvest, and blight

It's an idea that doesn't seem to work very often, and the seed potatoes are expensive to buy.

Have a read of this thread (one of many if you search for Christmas potatoes) 
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=68839.msg787586#msg787586

[ilan]

The is a specialy prepared seed spud for this dont just use ordinary ones not sure its worth the effort tho as Christmas dinner is good old roasties and spring is the time for the new pots something to look forwards to

[arugula]

The is a specialy prepared seed spud for this dont just use ordinary ones

I haven't heard of a special one for Christmas. Normally an early variety is a good candidate for its shorter growing and maturing time, but I wouldn't bother.

[Kenilworth]

Generally speaking they are early's that have been put into storage and kept to a certain temperature, I have done some Christmas spuds the last couple of years with fairly good results, I do them in bags and move them into the unheated polytunnel once the weather turns. like with all spuds i doubt it will save you money the sets are a little pricey, for me its just about growing something and the fun of harvesting new potatoes with the kids on Christmas morning, its almost become a little Christmas tradition for us...

[arugula]

Generally speaking they are early's that have been put into storage and kept to a certain temperature,

Oh you mean like the earlies, when I have grown Christmas potatoes, I have kept back from my stock of spring bought seed and stored nice and dark and cool until I need them?

[Kenilworth]

Generally speaking they are early's that have been put into storage and kept to a certain temperature,

Oh you mean like the earlies, when I have grown Christmas potatoes, I have kept back from my stock of spring bought seed and stored nice and dark and cool until I need them?

That'll be them............. though for some reason i feel the need to pay someone to do this for me  to be fair we have always had a good crop so maybe there is some sense to the  madness  :happy:

[arugula]

Maybe indeed. I'm glad to hear that someone has success growing them, as most who try it don't.

[ilan]

Yes the garden centers are now stocking them

[boogaloo]

Thanks all for your replies!