Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: arronc on May 28, 2007, 22:04

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: arronc on May 28, 2007, 22:04

What kind of spuds can I grow for Christmas, id quite like some new potatoes, when should I plant them and where do I get them from, I can’t to see them in any shops,

Thanks

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: Aunt Sally on May 28, 2007, 22:06

If you plant an early potato in July or August, you'll get new potatoes for Christmas.  

Some companies sell them late in the year for this purpose, have a look around on line.  Or you can store spring purchased ones in the fridge until planting time.  They can be left in the ground until needed but protected with carpet or straw to keep any frosts off.

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: richyrich7 on May 28, 2007, 22:10

You can (I hesitate to write the next word ) buy them from places like T&M later in the year.

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: WG. on May 28, 2007, 22:26

Or plant Pink Fir Apple - they've got a "new potato" taste year-round.

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: arronc on May 28, 2007, 22:33

When are we talking about planting, i imagine they take longer in the colder months, anything i have to do diffrent? Just make sure their covered up so they don't catch frost?

Thanks

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: GrannieAnnie on May 28, 2007, 23:37

All I do Arronc is plant the potatoes in pots, as big as possible, but I keep them in the greenhouse rather than in the ground outside, but cover them with fleece if there's going to be a frost.  the yields are not high, but nice if you can time it right!

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: Shelle on May 29, 2007, 18:19

When is the best time to plant them for Christmas?  September?  I am hoping to do this in pots, but will have to stay outdoors as I dont have a greenhouse.  I was intending to cover with fleece twice over, will that work?

Also anybody know if I am too late to plant parsnips for Christmas as well (again in a pot)?

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: Aunt Sally on May 29, 2007, 19:55

Late July / August they can stay in then pots until needed .

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: mercury on May 29, 2007, 21:07

I'm thinking of keeping some earlies back, and replanting them for crimbo, has anyone tried this? i hav'nt :)

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: WG. on May 29, 2007, 21:11

Quote from: "Shelle"

but will have to stay outdoors as I dont have a greenhouse.  I was intending to cover with fleece twice over, will that work?

Reckon not, sorry.  Frosts will get 'em long before they are ready.

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: Shelle on May 30, 2007, 21:17

If I persuaded my uncle to keep them in his greenhouse, would that work?  Fleece needed in there?

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: WG. on May 30, 2007, 21:19

Quote from: "Shelle"

If I persuaded my uncle to keep them in his greenhouse, would that work?  Fleece needed in there?

Now you are talking.  Fleece shouldn't be needed in there, I don't think - more light the better.  Aidy - can you advise please?

Title: Spuds for Christmas
Post by: GrannieAnnie on May 30, 2007, 23:19

If they said there was to be a frost, I'd fleece mine although they wree in the greenhouse, because 2 years ago when I didn't fleece them, the frost got at several of the pots and the potatoes died.

Depends if the greenhouse is heated too, but mine aren't so they have to take their chances!!