[gobs]

This thread just reminded me of their perennial nature and the about 4 year old potato plant I have in my garden. Tried to lose it for a couple of years and then gave up. It's there every year. How many spuds might be underground :shock:

I think, I'm going to have a little investigation at the weekend.

[ditchdigger]

might give it a try if i can locate some waterproof frost resistant sets!

[mkhenry]

Anne Swithunbank in GYO is recommending digging trenches for your spuds now, covering them with double fleece and then planting early spuds at the end of January, leaving the fleece on until the leaves push it up.
I am attracted to this idea as it is a) gimmicky and fraught with potential disaster and b) gives me something to do.
What do people reckon?

This does depend on your soil conditions,and on your location.If you do not have a rolling frost pocket or a water problem that will fill the trench overnight,so that you seed spuds are sitting in freezing water for a month or more then it may be worth a go.
But remember you will not get a much earlier crop,later planters will soon catch up.Nor will you be assured of a bigger one.WG has a different set of daylight hours to us down south.  Is it worth the risk,perhaps you could try just a few this year and if it is successful do it big time in 2009.

[WG.]

Drowning them can be a problem.  Frost is not since we get -20degs C almost every winter.

[Bigbadfrankie]

I am sure it was being to eager to get my spuds in that lead to failure of the crop last year. Spuds seem to catch cold and do not do well, if anthing afterwards. If I was a spud I would like to go into nice warm dryish ground and have a good drink often.


Off to the pub then

[mkhenry]

I am sure it was being to eager to get my spuds in that lead to failure of the crop last year. Spuds seem to catch cold and do not do well, if anthing afterwards. If I was a spud I would like to go into nice warm dryish ground and have a good drink often.


Off to the pub then

But not before your time a Bigbadfrankie.  

[noshed]

Up until now I had never seriously tried to empathise with a seed potato. This site certainly broadens the mind.

[sweet nasturtium]

I'd rather identify with a leek than a spud - tall, slim, deep, sun-loving and slug-resistant.

[David.]

If you do not have a rolling frost pocket or a water problem that will fill the trench overnight,so that you seed spuds are sitting in freezing water for a month or more then it may be worth a go.

I have that problem, so I start in Feb in plastic bags in coldframe, moving out (when stems reach lights) into sheltered bays that can be covered if frosty.

[noshed]

It's complicated isn't it? But I think I will have a limited, scientific trial of this idea. If it doesn't work I will be forced to beat up Anne Swithunbank, live on Radio 4.

[gobs]

She generally knows what she is talking about, I would trust her advice.

Within my own reason.   Honestly, unless your pots get flooded(this can be likely) not much to worry about.

[noshed]

Some of my seed spuds have just been delivered (Dunluce) so I'm almost duty bound to have a go. I'll get chitting

[noshed]

I've put the fleece down. So if it doesn't work, it's everyone else's fault.

[richyrich7]

I've put the fleece down. So if it doesn't work, it's everyone else's fault.

  Thanks