[Kirpi]

I'm thinking of using this nice dry hot weather to fork out my Kestrel (2nd early) for storing.

Also my first earlies (Lady Crystl) are starting to look more like jacket potatoes without jackets - getting way to big to be earlies!

question though - am I too early to fork out my Kestrels. Have they got more growing to do - do you think?  I do want the ground for a Butternut Squash I have waiting in the wings.

[Salmo]

You can lift the kestrels but do not plan to store for more than a few weeks as they will not be mature.

You could remove some of the tops, plant your squash in the exposed space between the rows, and then dig the potatoes as you need them.

[Kirpi]

Now there's an idea. Thanks.

[DD.]

"Earlies" does not refer to the fact that they'll be small - commonly called "new" potatoes, but the amount of time they need to grow to maturity.

Any potato you are considering growing for storing needs to be left until the foliage yellows, otherwise it will not be mature.

Removing foliage will reduce the plant's food making capability and may mean smaller spuds, but you may not mind this.

[Kirpi]

Thanks DD. On this occasion, I don't mind this as I have a decent looking maincrop bringing up the rear so a continued supply of smaller "new" potatoes would be my plan.

Smaller potatoes on one or two plants will be a fair trade off against the butternut squashes I may get from the plant waiting to go in.