[like diggingk]

i live in the south of England
my potatoes have been chitting for 3 weeks
they have 1/2in green shots on them when's the best time to plant
would like to plant them this week end

[mumofstig]

this weekend is still a bit early IMO. They would reach the surface while there are hard ground frosts in a normal year.

I wait until 17th before planting 

[mattwragg94]

hmm i think its still to early - some of the other guys will be able to give you a better answer

[mattwragg94]

MOS when you say the 17th - the 17thof when, march?

[mumofstig]

yes, St Patrick's day 17th March is traditional potato planting day, I know people in the North tend to plant a little later though.

[mattwragg94]

yeh i just wanted to clarify for 'like diggingk'

[solway cropper]

Plant some in grow sacks or big tubs for an early crop. You can bring them undercover if frost threatens. Even in the north of England it's possible to have new potatoes by late April/early May if you do this.

[like diggingk]

thanks  
will leave it to the 17th then  
first year on the allotment and very inpatient to see things growing
have got lot's going on in the greenhouse

solway cropper have got some left over as only have a small plot so will plant some in a large container how deep will it need to be 

[Gandan57]

My earlies are going in tomorrow. Last year some went in on 9th February, but then we didn`t have a frost after mid March.

[solway cropper]

thanks  
will leave it to the 17th then  
first year on the allotment and very inpatient to see things growing
have got lot's going on in the greenhouse

solway cropper have got some left over as only have a small plot so will plant some in a large container how deep will it need to be 

I generally use containers at least 12 inches (30cm) deep and the same dia. but I've had good results from those black flower buckets. Just remember to put drain holes in the bottom 

[Salmo]

Portsmouth, like Weston-S-M, is pretty far south and on the coast so the risk of late frost is probably not great.

If you plant potatoes too early they still grow but need protection from frost once they emerge. Leave them until 17th March, or later, and by the time they emerge frosts should be finished.

This did not work last year when soil temperatures were high in April so potatoes emerged quickly and we had a sharp frost here on 15th May.

Why not plant just a few earlies and take a risk. If they escape frost you will have beautiful new potatoes to lift before the end of May. Even if there is a late frost you will only have a few to fleece.

[CornishCol]

i have just planted maincrop (not chitted.) March is such a busy month that something has to give............I would have thought  that planting chitted potatoes on March 17th  prob has same result as planting unchitted at the end of Feb,but willing to hear alternative view

[BabbyAnn]

Portsmouth, like Weston-S-M, is pretty far south and on the coast so the risk of late frost is probably not great.

Why not plant just a few earlies and take a risk. If they escape frost you will have beautiful new potatoes to lift before the end of May. Even if there is a late frost you will only have a few to fleece.

given the location, I would be very tempted to plant a few earlies now and save the bulk until mid March as everyone suggests ... which is only 3 weeks away BTW.  Although weather patterns can shift drastically, the current mild spell looks like it will be around for a little while longer.  As well as use fleece in case of a late frost, why not lay some over at the same time as planting to act like a blanket to warm the soil?

i have just planted maincrop (not chitted.) March is such a busy month that something has to give............I would have thought  that planting chitted potatoes on March 17th  prob has same result as planting unchitted at the end of Feb,but willing to hear alternative view

Again, I think it depends on location and take into account the soil temperature (rather than air temperature) - the 17th March is only a guideline and not suitable for everyone.  Planting later in April when the soil is likely to be much warmer will trigger a faster growth whereas planting earlier (chitted or not) may just mean the potatoes will only start to grow when the soil warms up. 

[Goldfinger]

We're going to take a 'little' gamble a plant a dozen in the polytunnel.

But not plant any outside for a while yet...

GF

[Scotch Thistle]

I planted my earlies on the weekend just gone. They are Epicure, which are meant to be frost resistant. Last year they didn't get burnt by a late frost that hit most others on the plots around me. so we'll see how they go this year.
I figure if they can plant them in Scotland in early March they should be fine down here south of the border...