[matt80]

This weekend I planted 6 second early seed potatoes into a raised bed measuring just over 1 square metre. What yields can I expect? It seemed like a small number to plant and am wondering if I'd be better to use the space for other plants and put the potatoes into buckets... any thoughts?

[paintedlady]

There are several factors that will affect the yield including:

growing space
variety
soil nutrients/manuring etc
watering etc

Last year I grew Kestrel and only had on average 3 potatoes per plant, but each one was the size of a large baking potatoes!  I also grew Charlotte too, and I seem to get dozens of decent sized spuds from each plant.

[purplebean]

Last year my first earlies 3 in a large tub trug gave 2Kg per tub

[gobs]

This weekend I planted 6 second early seed potatoes into a raised bed measuring just over 1 square metre. What yields can I expect? It seemed like a small number to plant and am wondering if I'd be better to use the space for other plants and put the potatoes into buckets... any thoughts?

I'd go with that idea, 3 large bin bags or compost sacks, 2 each. One sq metre is very little space for six potato plants, I should think.

[Weessy]

We got 7 lb from 3 potatoes in a metre square bed, they were Desiree. We have a competition on our allotments to see who can get the highest yield from 3 potatoes, the winner had 30 lb, the year before he had 50 lb!!!

[mumsy]

c

Last year I grew Kestrel and only had on average 3 potatoes per plant,

Oh gripes, Iv'e gone for Kestrel this year, I do hope I have more than that :shock:  :shock:

[vegmandan]

We got 7 lb from 3 potatoes in a metre square bed, they were Desiree. We have a competition on our allotments to see who can get the highest yield from 3 potatoes, the winner had 30 lb, the year before he had 50 lb!!!

Did anyone witness them being dug up ?

17lb per plant seems unbelievable to me  

[woodburner]

Apparently you can plant broad beans with them. I'm trying this myself as I'm short of space.

[matt80]

what kind of compost would be best in a tub for potatoes? Presumably needs quite a lot - can get expensive for just one or two seed potatoes in each?

[purplebean]

I use peat free multipurpose and then dig it in the beds when it's done, or I would dig last years in the beds if I had any beds, damn weather.

[GrannieAnnie]

If I put potatoes in pots or in the bags the compost comes in, I mix a bit of compost with some of my own compost and some ordinary garden soil!

Its a big expensive to just use multipurpose compost I think!

[amandaandherveg]

I've got a heap of sandy loam being delivered next week, is it ok to fill my bins with this and grow potatoes in them, is there anything I should mix in with it?

[gobs]

Apparently you can plant broad beans with them. I'm trying this myself as I'm short of space.

Not too wise to plant anything too near potatoes as they need earthing up.

[Weessy]

Weessy wrote:
We got 7 lb from 3 potatoes in a metre square bed, they were Desiree. We have a competition on our allotments to see who can get the highest yield from 3 potatoes, the winner had 30 lb, the year before he had 50 lb!!!


Did anyone witness them being dug up ?

17lb per plant seems unbelievable to me Laughing

They are dug by the allotment secretary and witnessed by the treasurer, it seems unbelievable to me too but it is true. you can cut the potatoes in to pieces if you like but i dont think the winner did that.