Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: jaxter on March 28, 2024, 12:32

Title: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: jaxter on March 28, 2024, 12:32

I’m hesitating planting these as the ground is sodden and I’m not sure if they’ll just rot away. Mine would be in a raised bed, but on a shared allotment they’d be straight into the ground. It’s looking wet again for the next 10 days, any advice?

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: Alank on March 28, 2024, 19:42

I wouldn't be planting any potatoes directly outside at the moment.
Wait until it dries out a bit and the soil temperature needs to be warmer than it currently is.

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: New shoot on March 28, 2024, 20:39

My seed potatoes are in the shed and are staying there for now.  Nothing much has really got going yet and I still have daffodils and tulips blooming in the garden. 

Some years you just have to forget your normal sowing and planting calendar and wait for nature to catch up.  Even a raised bed would be a cold and wet soggy mess that wasn’t going to get potatoes excited about growing. 

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: AnneB on March 28, 2024, 22:51

I am with New Shoot.  My potatoes are continuing to chit in my back porch.  It is far too wet to plant them.  The allotment is like a swamp.  Up here in Yorkshire, I usually wait until mid April anyway.

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: Hampshire Hog on March 29, 2024, 09:32

I would hold off too.
The ground is just too sodden to do anything much I’m afraid.
I have put a bit of rotted manure on my asparagus bed and waved at my autumn planted garlic but that’s about it till we have a long spell of dry weather. HH

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: Nobbie on March 29, 2024, 12:24

It’s a no from me too, although I’ll probably plant a few more Red Duke of York in pots to add to the 6 already sprouted.

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: AndyRVTR on March 29, 2024, 15:15

Mine are in as of this afternoon..  48 seeds of three different varieties, Mozart, Maris Piper and King Edward all planted in one of my double board raised beds, about 8" deep. I've covered with blue crates to keep the local cats off and I have fleece at the ready if it's needed. I've still got some 2nd earlies to plant in 35ltr pots as soon as I get an hour spare!

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: Snow on March 29, 2024, 16:05

I put mine in last week. It depends if the ground is waterlogged or if you think they may get waterlogged, if not you should be able to plant first earlies at least. Ground temps in West of Scotland are just warm enough to start and the ground is always wet  :D  No harm in waiting though

Title: Re: Will seed potatoes rot?
Post by: jaxter on March 31, 2024, 10:44

Thanks all, I’ll stick a spade into the raised bed again and see if it’s dried out at all, the allotment can wait.