[dumplings]

hi everyone, just a bit confused regarding planting times, should I plant all the potatoes, e.g earlies, second earlies and maincrop at the same time? and just dig them up at different times? and how do I know when they are ready?
thank you

[mumofstig]

the site's guide to potato planting is here
http://www.allotment-garden.org/grow-your-own/vegetables/potatoes

 

[arugula]

That is a good guide but it says you should plant earlies first then maincrops later. I plant them all at the same time and harvest when they are ready - from as little as 10 weeks for first earlies, from about 16 weeks for second earlies and from about 18 weeks for maincrops.

If you are short of space then perhaps consider growing only earlies, it is what I'm trying this year, as a garden re-jig is giving me less growing space this year.

[mumofstig]

Good point!

I think it takes me a couple of weeks from starting to plant the earlies - to finishing the mains
(if I take a few day's recovery time, here and there, for my back) 

[aelf]

I start with the earlies then the main crop, but I will also have planted them all within a couple of weeks, doing a row at a time and depending on the weather, time commitments etc.

[grinling]

may I recommend Dr Hessayon books. The allotment one is fab, available in all good book shops,libraries and supermarkets.
Dates are recomended, but take into account ground conditions and weather.
1st earlies can be planted up to June/July.

[DD.]

May I recommend one of John's books! Now with loadsa free seeds.

http://www.allotment-garden.org/toolshed/our-books

[Rampant_Weasel]

best to plant them all as soon as conditions allow - so u get max growing time b4 blight strikes.
unless your growing sarpo of course..

[Gandan57]

best to plant them all as soon as conditions allow - so u get max growing time b4 blight strikes.
unless your growing sarpo of course..

   

Very good advice RW.

[dumplings]

thank you everyone