[Iain@JBA]

Got all my spuds planted outside today and it took less than 2hrs.
Should have some really good results.
This is just the first wave as I have more to plant out very soon.

[Yabba]

88 pots in 2 hours? ... damn, even I can plant faster than that ... mind you, that;s only cos I was late rotavating the beds last year and we had 6 hours to plant 700 dahlias .. this year I fully intend to get the beds rotavated a damn sight earlier

¥

[Elcie]

I find it interesting that, as a seed potato merchant, you plant yours in pots.  Any reason for the preference?  So far mine are in pots but only because I don't want to end up with any volunteers next season and I'm not that good at digging!

Looks brilliant by the way!

[Iain@JBA]

I thought 2hrs was pretty good as I had to dig the trenches and mix the fertilizer in then carry all the pots out of the greenhouse and put in place and then give them a good watering

The reason they are in pots is because I hope to exhibit them this year and I want full control over how they grow. Each pot has its own measured fertilizer and calcified seaweed and just one potato per pot.
I grow 200 acres of potatoes the traditional way and thought this was really interesting after watching videos of other people doing it.
Just think how easy harvest will be. Chop the shaws off pick the pot up and empty it.
The compost mix can themn be re-used in flower beds and so on.
I have more information about this on my blog if you want to learn more.

[Yabba]

Good luck with your exhibitions, don't forget to take loads of photos of your winners, we like photos

¥

[Iain@JBA]

Well I am not expecting to win but I will be interested to go along and compare my spuds with others. There are so many critical things to get right and some of these people have been doing it since before I was born.

[Howard]

...The reason they are in pots is because I hope to exhibit them this year and I want full control over how they grow. Each pot has its own measured fertilizer and calcified seaweed and just one potato per pot.
I grow 200 acres of potatoes the traditional way and thought this was really interesting after watching videos of other people doing it.

Measured fertilisers, calcified seaweed, 17 litre polypots from LBS,... that Sherie Plumb, she doesn't half have a lot to answer for! 

[Iain@JBA]

Yes I watched the Sherie DVD and the Alistair Gray one and then just did what I thought was right. I have my own mixtures made up in those special little bags just to see the results compared to what the dvd says. I also have a control group that are exactly what was on the dvd. I find it really interesting.

[min200]

Now I on the other hand spent many many hours deliberating on the best mix and way to plant my spuds.  After much reading and listening to the considered opinions of others I went for the......

"Dig a hole and pop them straight into the ground method"

So far everyone has stuck its foliage above the ground so I must have done something right

[Iain@JBA]

MIN200 quite often the simplest method is the best one
Hope you get a good crop.
Watch out for Frost tonight. Mine are under fleece.

[Howard]

Yes I watched the Sherie DVD and the Alistair Gray one and then just did what I thought was right. I have my own mixtures made up in those special little bags just to see the results compared to what the dvd says. I also have a control group that are exactly what was on the dvd. I find it really interesting.

Iain, I do hope my last post didn't give you the impression that I was suggesting that you needed to watch what others are doing to produce prize winning potatoes - given that you're a commercial grower I'm sure you have a shedload of knowledge in that respect!

Ignoring the delightfully amateur way in which the NVS DVDs are produced, I've found them to be an absolute treasure trove of information - regardless of whether you are growing for showing or not - and along with Medwyn Williams' articles they have shaped my approach to veg growing this season considerably.

You mention that you have put together your own fertiliser combination, would this be something you would be prepared to share? 

Howard

[GrannieAnnie]

MIN200 quite often the simplest method is the best one
Hope you get a good crop.
Watch out for Frost tonight. Mine are under fleece.

What, the whole 200 acres Iain?  that's a lot of fleece!!  Very interesting with the pot idea.  why do you trench as well then?  Must go look at your site!

[iwantanallotment]

lol @ min 
Me too actually, not much fuss - they each got a compost or rubble sack, compost and a wilted comfrey leaf. Can't be bad, cos I had to earth em up twice today, once this morning and again at teatime due to new growth :blink:

I'm also interested in Howard & Grannie's Q. Also, what exactly are they planted in, Iain (ie containers - they look 'softer' than usual pots)?

[Howard]

...Very interesting with the pot idea.  why do you trench as well then?  Must go look at your site!

The polypots are set in a 4-6" trench which is bottomed with a forked layer of potato fertiliser and slug pellets (if you are that way inclined), which encourages root growth through the drainage holes in the polybags.

[Howard]

...I'm also interested in Howard & Grannie's Q. Also, what exactly are they planted in, Iain (ie containers - they look 'softer' than usual pots)?

It looks as though Iain is using the same as I am (and I'm sure he will advise if otherwise) - LBS' 12" x 11" - R-POT1825 17ltr Polypots