[Charityuk]

Hello,

We recently got an allotment unexpectedly. Great, and have cleared enough so far to build 2 smallish raised beds.  The plan is to put potatoes into these on Monday when we've finished filling them up. 

I ordered tubers last year before we got the plot, planning to do them in containers in the back garden as last year. So I have first earlies - Balena, Golden Nugget and Novella.  I just ordered a random collection intended for containers.  That's fine, and I've learned that they harvest in 10 weeks - what can we grow in the same bed from the end of June?  I also have courgette and runner bean plants coming (from the same pre-plot order) and aparently these will arrive in June -  can they go in the same bed once the pots are up?

Second question is about maincrops -  my 7 year old got upset this morning when she learned that we will be growing little salad potatos and not ones that can be baked (her favourite meal). So I guess to keep her keen we need to do some maincrops too. Any recommendations on variety? How late can we plant them? ie how quickly do we need to clear land and build beds to put them in?!

Thanks in advance

[sarajane]

I'm planting Cara again for maincrop and they do make good baked potatoes.  I would say end of April for the latest planting so they get a good 5 months in the earth

[DD.]

As with a question on early potatoes a few days ago, you may have to take what you can fine, irrespective of variety.

For instance Cara are out of stock at JBA, one of the main stockists.

[Charityuk]

TY - Thompson and Morgan have Cara still, but I was thinking this

http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vegetables/potatoes/maincrop/potato-best-blight-busters-collection-sarpo/zww5122TM

Just because my tomatoes got blight last year and I'm now really paranoid!

[arugula]

They're both good varieties and Ambo, if you could still get hold of them..

Here's what an Ambo can look like:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=91947.msg1022410#msg1022410

[DD.]

If your young one likes the skins on baked spuds, I'd suggest Sarpo are not the ones for her. To say they're armour plated is an understatement!

[DD.]

Further thought - if T & M have them in, grab them now. They're got a postage free weekend!

[DD.]

Apologies re the last reference free postage.

I've got to click through an email I've received and place an order on line to claim it.

[mattwragg94]

No DD you where right you can get free postage this weeked - and they have 20 sarpo tubers for 3 quid

heres the link - LINK




Edit long link

[sunshineband]

Going back to your question about what to plant afer your first early potatoes are up:

The courgettes and runner beans will go well together in the same bed, and both will need some manure dug in to make the best of them. (A bag or two of sterilised manure from a graden centre will do just fine)

If the ground is not ready when the plants come, just pot them up and keep them growing until everythign is ready to plant out.

Best of luck