[aec]

Hi,  just joined the forum and wonder if anyone can help.  I don't have a garden or allotment, but grow some veg in pots.  This is my 3rd year growing potatoes in the potatoes planters and have had success previously.  This year I am growing Charlotte which I started in March/April.  They started well and are now over the top of the planters but have started to droop and the leaves seem weak and one or two have died.  I am giving them a lot of water, but don't know if I am over-watering or not.  We have had a lot of rain today and the compost feels quite wet.  How often should I water?  Should I be feeding them and if so what with?   Thanks.

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site aec 

I assume there are drainage holes in the planters? 

You do need a fair bit of water once the tubers start swelling, but I guess you could have overwatered them. 

Feeding is probably a good idea but hopefully someone will be along shortly to advise whether a balanced fertiliser (growmore, fish / blood / bone) or something else is better (I always get confused by fertilisers!)

A piccie would help.

[solway cropper]

For some reason the foliage on container-grown tatties always seems taller and weaker than those grown in the ground. We had some strongish winds last weekend and some of mine got battered and broken but I'm just leaving it as the tatties are ready anyway.

I feed mine on home-made seaweed feed and they seem to love it. I also mix BFB in the compost at planting time.

[kermit]

We grow loads in planters like you.  I wouldnt water if the compost is wet.  Sure, they dry out quick in pots and planters when still small, but as the foliage gets large, it slows evapouration from the soil so Ive really cut back - just watering when it feels and looks dry 2-3 inches below the surface.

I also feed them organic potatoe fertilizer (1st time with this and they look noticeably better this year) - was a tip on this site.  They are granules which I added when planting and earthing up, but you could probably just scatter on the surface.  Recommended.

[aec]

Hi,  thank you everyone for your advice, much appreciated.  I have just looked at them this morning and they seem a bit perkier.  Hopefully the sun we are due now will make them feel better.  I put potatoe fertiliser in with the compost when planting, but I do get confused with them all, and wasn't sure whether you still give them some during the growing. 

I will be planting other veg, and feel sure I will be asking for further advice.  I have a blueberry bush which I had quite a lot of fruit last year, but this year the flowers have nearly all died and dropped off.  Also a gooseberry bush which has fruit appearing but is very slow.  Maybe it is the weather.  I am also an impatient gardener and think I expect too much too soon.

Regards, aec.