Harvesting main crop

sandygreen · « **on:** September 24, 2010, 16:23 »

I have tried growing some main crop potatoes in bags this year. I was told that normally with main crop when the leaves have all died back you cut them back and leave them for a couple of weeks in the ground and then dig them up. Can I do this and leave them in the bags or should I get them out and dry them off and store them in the garage? If so, what is the best thing to store in (I don't have any hessian sacks) and how long should I leave them for before using? Also, do you have to wait for the leaves to die back, mine are looking quite yellow but this could be because I have just come back from holiday and I'm not sure how much watering my very kind neighbour did!

Yorkie · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2010, 18:57 »

You can leave them in the bags for the time being, they should be fine until the frosts come.

If you don't have any hessian sacks try paper bags - anything which is breathable and doesn't let the light through.

You can eat them as soon as digging up if you want. They probably won't take as long to cook as older ones though.

Maincrop take (I think) about 18 weeks from sowing to harvest. When did you plant them? There is nothing to stop you harvesting them early but they are likely to be small.

sandygreen · « **Reply #2 on:** September 25, 2010, 19:03 »

I planted them mid April so I think they should be OK now. As they are in bags I can have a rummage and see what I find!

Thanks for the help.

Lee1978 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2010, 21:12 »

Quote from: sandygreen on September 24, 2010, 16:23

I have tried growing some main crop potatoes in bags this year. I was told that normally with main crop when the leaves have all died back you cut them back and leave them for a couple of weeks in the ground and then dig them up. Can I do this and leave them in the bags or should I get them out and dry them off and store them in the garage? If so, what is the best thing to store in (I don't have any hessian sacks) and how long should I leave them for before using? Also, do you have to wait for the leaves to die back, mine are looking quite yellow but this could be because I have just come back from holiday and I'm not sure how much watering my very kind neighbour did!

If you call in at your local chippy and ask them for their used potatoe sacks, they are ideal and free too

Salmo · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2010, 21:47 »

What are your growing bags made of? You may be able to empty one out, dry it and use it to store potatoes.

Most garages are dark. If yours is then leave the tops of the bags open and just cover with some newspaper to make sure they are properly dark.

Seperate out any with damage to be eaten first.

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Harvesting main crop

sandygreen

Harvesting main crop

Yorkie

Re: Harvesting main crop

sandygreen

Re: Harvesting main crop

Lee1978

Re: Harvesting main crop

Salmo

Re: Harvesting main crop

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