[sparky]

I need a simple explanation of the terms 1st earlies, 2nd earlies, maincrop etc, best planting times in the north of england, and the time difference between planting the tubers so the harvest doesn't overlap (or does this not matter?
Sorry to seem ignorant but I'm still a virgin at plot owning.
One more, When the 1st earlies are lifted what would be a suitable edible crop to put in their place?
If it's in the glossary any chance of a link?
Thanks
Bill

[WG.]

I assume you mean potatoes?  Link to Glossary and WYSIWYGGY in my signature.

I'm off for a kip but will answer properly when I get up unless someone else has.

(moved your thread to GYO)

[DD.]

Hi sparky - this is the wigglywaggy link...

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?t=10941&highlight=wysiwyggy+potato

Basically it's a way of showing the suitability of each spud for planting times. The earlier the spud the less suitable it is for storage, (generally), hence the earlies are usually used up as 'new' potatoes & main crop, which are planted later, for storage.

If your earlies are out of the ground soon enough, you can plant stuff like leeks, for one example. I've sown peas in the past, which were cropping October.

You can leave it for a while & put your winter cabbage etc. in that patch. There are quite a few other things and I'm sure people will add to the list.

[gobs]

They won't normally catch up even if you plant them at the same time.
A lot of people follow with leeks, but also can be used for tender summer crops which only can go out in June, provided you well feed them, as both are hungry crops generally.

Also bril planting info by DD in How to grow it Wissy/veg index/pot/planting.

[GreenOwl]

I follow my early spuds with courgettes and sweetcorn.  I start the courgettes and sweetcorn off in the mini green house so they're ready to go out when the spuds come up (early June usually).

Overlapping spud harvest doesn't usually matter.  Maincrop spuds will store in a cool dry place, earlies don't store so well.

[DD.]

Also bril planting info by DD in How to grow it Wissy/veg index/pot/planting.

Why thank you gobs, I'm all embarrassed now! :oops:  :oops:  :oops:  :oops:  :oops:

[paintedlady]

In my 1st & 2nd early potatoe bed I followed on with leeks, and after the salad potatoes, that bed became the purple sprouting brocolli bed (after liming)  I dug up the maincrop when blight struck, so it was odd having a spare bed which should have been occupied until at least September but was soon housing a couple of courgettes and lettuce that were originally destined for the compost bin as surplus to requirements!

[crowndale]

I'm really happy tonite, my seed spuds have arrived and I have so many!!  I shall have to give a few away but its so nice to have the space this year having got the plot now that I am not having to give away half of them like I did last year.  so got 66 seed spuds sat in egg boxes chitting. sigh, simple pleasures!!!  

[fletch]

Now I'm confused  :?

According to that link, most people plant their "earlies" mid-late March.

I've just been to the local GC today and it's full of seed potatoes, earlies/mids and lates. Will they all last till then?

[WG.]

Now I'm confused  :?

According to that link, most people plant their "earlies" mid-late March.

I've just been to the local GC today and it's full of seed potatoes, earlies/mids and lates. Will they all last till then?

Yup.  If you are a tuber, that's what you do.  

[splodger]

Now I'm confused  :?

According to that link, most people plant their "earlies" mid-late March.

I've just been to the local GC today and it's full of seed potatoes, earlies/mids and lates. Will they all last till then?

yes - you have to chit them - so they get short strong sprouts on them

place them in a cool but light area - away from frost, mice and rats  

if the shoots become long and spindly - then it's too dark for them

don't worry - everyone has their own little way of doing things - last year - my earlies went in end feb if i recall - and my mains a few weeks later

[fletch]

 I guess I asked for that.

I was just wondering if they were doing that thing some GC's do with bedding plants  - you know, start selling them in late Feb knowing that they'll kark it and you have to buy more.

I'll have to go back and buy some then. They had TONS of varieties to choose from.

I only really like new potatoes. (So that an "early", have I got that right?) What would folks recommend?

[WG.]

Earlies  - you might want to read through the varieties folks have posted.  Click WYSIWYGGY in my signature, then Index of VEG, then potato varieties

[DD.]

 I guess I asked for that.

I was just wondering if they were doing that thing some GC's do with bedding plants  - you know, start selling them in late Feb knowing that they'll kark it and you have to buy more.

I'll have to go back and buy some then. They had TONS of varieties to choose from.

I only really like new potatoes. (So that an "early", have I got that right?) What would folks recommend?

You'll be well advised to get them now whilst they still have the choice. You only have to read through the posts on here to see how eager folk get to get their hands on their taters!

[splodger]

Earlies  - you might want to read through the varieties folks have posted.  Click WYSIWYGGY in my signature, then Index of VEG, then potato varieties

you are turning into a bit of a wysiwyggy pimp