Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Sharonx on July 17, 2009, 08:16

Title: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: Sharonx on July 17, 2009, 08:16

Hi
Have been happily digging up my Charlotte and Nicola as required and am wondering how long they will be ok for in the ground. I still have half a row of Charlotte and one and a bit rows of Nicola!

Basically should I dig them all up and store them or leave them where they are until we need them.

Also do I need to cut back the hallum as it's yellowing or leave it? Noticed some are cutting it all off. What is the reason for this?

Thanks

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: peapod on July 17, 2009, 09:04

Ill cut mine off to allow the skins to get a little tougher for storage, but they are main crop (King Edwards)
Dont forget, the longer they are in the ground the more susceptible to slug damage they are.

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: azubah on July 17, 2009, 14:33

I leave some of mine in the ground until November.
I have dug up and eaten a row so far and have a further 6 rows to dig up.
They seem to keep better in the ground if they do not get eaten by slugs, but I have not had that problem yet this year. It has been bad in past years.

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: Sharonx on July 18, 2009, 09:33

That's helpful thank you. I was thinking because they are 'new potatoes' they would need to come out soon.

Is that the reason for cutting the tops off then, to harden the skins?
I thought it would stop growth and maybe prevent blight. Shows how wrong you can be!

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: peapod on July 18, 2009, 10:21

That too Sharon  :D

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: Sharonx on July 18, 2009, 11:40

Oh ok, so I'm not completely stupid, I am slowly getting to grips with this growing lark! :blush: :)

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: home made pie on July 18, 2009, 21:31

Quote from: Sharonx on July 18, 2009, 11:40

Oh ok, so I'm not completely stupid, I am slowly getting to grips with this growing lark! :blush: :)

me too, I had been wondering the exact same thing about my potatoes so I'm glad you asked the question. 

I'm finding the skins a bit annoying, I can't seem to boil them properly without them going mushy and the skins fall off when cooked, still they taste fab so not too bothered
Jan

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: Paul Plots on July 18, 2009, 21:43

Try steaming the spuds in a steamer instead of boiling them. They retain more nutrients and are less likely to boil away (go mushy) but it depends on the variety of potato.

Steamers are cheap – if you haven’t got one I really would recommend buying a cheap two tier version to stick on the hob / gas. Great for all veg cooking rather than sitting in hot water – better taste and texture. ;)

Title: Re: How Long Can I leave Charlotte/Nicola in the Ground?
Post by: LILACSPLASH on July 18, 2009, 21:49

I've put new spuds in damp compost, in a sealed bucket, in a cool place. They keep for months just fine.