[fibilou]

When do they need to get planted, which is the best variety ?

[gobs]

End July/August. Didn't try that many, but charlotte did well for me for autumn, too.  Blight resistance is very important with these, unless in gh.

[fibilou]

they will be in the GH. Cheers gobs, where will I be able to get the seed pots ? Are they commonly available in nurseries in the summer ?

[GrannieAnnie]

The last time I tried them in pots, I just planted some from the supermarket, I've never actually bought special spuds for Christmas planting, but they did okay, Planted them a bit late though so they weren't ready until New year's Day!!!! lol

[willnbirdie]

Hi

We were planning to get some new pots for Christmas - having read up it suggested that as soon as you lift your first earlies plant some of them immediately - does that sound right? - so June/July would tie in with that.  We were planning to plant under a cloche for the colder days etc - is it much better to do them in the greenhouse?

cheers

willnbirdie

[gobs]

Well, it will depend on your local climate but June planting sounds way early to me, 10 weeks you see, you shall be harvesting in autumn, which is fine, if that's what you are after. The tubers of course will keep under ground albeit the slugs, so you might want to use planters of some sort depending.

[willnbirdie]

thanks gobs

it does get quite cold here but very dry - right on the north-east coast.  From talking to the fellas on the plot here things do take a little longer but not that much longer so I guess if I work on 12/13 weeks or so that gives me the answer when to plant - can I use potatoes that I have dug up or is it best to buy special seed for Christmas?

willnbirdie

[gobs]

If you are going to do it outside, much better off with bought seed, very blight friendly time of year, when they start into growth.

[mumsy]

I have ordered Carlingford from T&M, in this months grow your own mag there is an offer for 5 x tubers  each of carlingford, vilvaldi & charlotte £9.99 incl p&p (quote ref ARR9891) I know a little expensive, or try their  website (thompson-morgan.com/potatoes.

[hotterotter]

I've read that you should buy early spuds in jan/feb when you normally do and keep some back in the fridge until the end of july

[Yorkie]

Don't forget to protect them from frost, or the foliage will get killed off and you'll have no spuds for Christmas ...

... trust me, I found that out the reality way ...  

[polly nator]

I did some early August last year in a large pot. Bought seed for very small pink variety from Dobies. They were ready extremely quickly and I think we'd eaten most by Christmas.

[matron]

I have ordered Carlingford from T&M and will be putting in at beginning of September. I tried out in the ground last year but an early frost in October put the end to them   :evil:  I have now got a biggish cloche polytunnel thing so I am going to try that this year although I might hedge my bets and put a few in buckets in the greenhouse.