[al78]

I'm having a think about next year, and was wondering what is the best way of growing potatoes so that I can supply myself for as long as possible. I have two methods in mind:

1.  Grow first and second earlies, and maincrops, eat the first and second earlies whilst the maincrops continue to maturity, then start on the maincrops and store some over the winter.

2.  Grow first and seoond earlies, then whilst I am eating those, start another lot of earlies in, say, July which should be ready by the time I run out of the first lot, then harvest this second batch.

I have plenty of space so that is not an issue. I am interested in trying to become as self sufficient in veg as possible (I appreciate this may take a while).

What do you think?

[TheWhiteRabbit]

I was thinking about putting some more first earlies in now for some new pots later. Is this a goer?

[Lincolnshire Floyd]

I was thinking about putting some more first earlies in now for some new pots later. Is this a goer?

Assuming that you mean you are going to plant some of the spuds you have just lifted then no, they won't produce tubers.

[Lincolnshire Floyd]

2.  Grow first and seoond earlies, then whilst I am eating those, start another lot of earlies in, say, July which should be ready by the time I run out of the first lot, then harvest this second batch.

See answer above.
You would have to buy seed potatoes that have been kept back specially for a crop around Christmas. As these are expensive and a bit of a luxury then your first option is the better one in my view.

[al78]

2.  Grow first and seoond earlies, then whilst I am eating those, start another lot of earlies in, say, July which should be ready by the time I run out of the first lot, then harvest this second batch.

See answer above.
You would have to buy seed potatoes that have been kept back specially for a crop around Christmas. As these are expensive and a bit of a luxury then your first option is the better one in my view.

Ok thanks for the recommendation. I'll have a go with a maincrop variety next year.

[sunshineband]

We are pretty much self sufficient in potatoes - first earlies from bags by the beginning of June (some manage it earlier but not me this year) then mid June onwards to beginning of August eating first earlies as we dig. Sneak some kestrels for roasties.

Dig up the rest, plus the second earlies (which store well until around Christmas) early August - although the seconds are always ready to dig and eat as you go before this.

Dig up the maincrops as late as possible, ideally by the end of September but can be into October if they are still growing. these store through to March/April -- I make some into frozen wedges and over ready roasties for the gap time

All this is blight-willing of course. Werks fer me 

Never had much success with the 'held over' first earlies for spuds at Christmas, but we have enough anyway tbh

[crh75]

We are pretty much self sufficient in potatoes - first earlies from bags by the beginning of June (some manage it earlier but not me this year) then mid June onwards to beginning of August eating first earlies as we dig. Sneak some kestrels for roasties.

Dig up the rest, plus the second earlies (which store well until around Christmas) early August - although the seconds are always ready to dig and eat as you go before this.

Dig up the maincrops as late as possible, ideally by the end of September but can be into October if they are still growing. these store through to March/April -- I make some into frozen wedges and over ready roasties for the gap time

All this is blight-willing of course. Werks fer me 

Never had much success with the 'held over' first earlies for spuds at Christmas, but we have enough anyway tbh

That is pretty much they way I do it as well.