[Plot30]

Hi there, what is the best way to chitt my tatties cheers

[Kajazy]

Somewhere bright, cool and frost free, ideally out of direct sunlight. I stand mine up in egg boxes to stop them falling over.

[Salmo]

There are many posts on this but.....

Keep in a cool place. If they have chits showing they will need a light place. If their dormancy has not broken i.e. no chits, it does not matter whether it is light or dark.

Six weeks before you expect to plant bring them into a warm and light place for about a week to break their dormancy - until you can see small chits. Many early varieties will show chits regardless and you can skip this phase.

Once you can see chits place them in a cool and light place until you are ready to plant.

[sunshineband]

But don't keep them somewhere dark for weeks or they might grow long pale shoots -- you want short fat shoots that are strongly coloured

[Plot30]

Cheers all for this advice

[darren69]

Is January fine to plant my first lot of potatoes or is it to early?

[DD.]

Way too early.

Don't consider it until late March, even then you have to be wary of frosts, one they've broken the soil.

Have a look at this guide:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/potato/potato-growing-guide.php

[Ian_A]

But don't keep them somewhere dark for weeks or they might grow long pale shoots -- you want short fat shoots that are strongly coloured

ah mine arrived by post a few weeks ago to my neighbours as I was out when delivery was made. So when I got the box of spuds and opened them my King Edwards had long spindly shoots (like beansprouts) rather than the usual stubby ones. Should I just rub those spindly shoot soff gently and chit from scratch?

[DD.]

Yes, rub them off, they'll chit again.

[sunshineband]

Clever little things thos seed potatoes 

[darren69]

Way too early.

Don't consider it until late March, even then you have to be wary of frosts, one they've broken the soil.

Have a look at this guide:

http://www.allotment-garden.org/vegetable/potato/potato-growing-guide.php

Cheers for that - good read