[TheCorner]

Hi everyone,

We have just got our first allotment and whilst my wife has done ok growing flowers in our garden we are very new to planting things to eat.

The plot was quite well looked after but was quite weedy in the trenches, we dug them over and weeded - when we done this we have found a couple of dozen medium sized potatoes, I think they are Vivaldi looking at pictures online.

We cut a couple open and they look absolutely fine, they were not attached to a plant and we have no idea when they were last harvested. Can these be eaten or should we chuck them away and start from fresh?

I’ll probably be back with more questions over the coming weeks.

Thank you

Mick

[mumofstig]

They're fine to eat, it's a wonder they haven't started growing already 

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the new plot!

[TheCorner]

They're fine to eat, it's a wonder they haven't started growing already 

Welcome to the forum and good luck with the new plot!

Thank you, yes, we ate them with our Dinner and they were lovely.

We got loads more with little stalks coming out, do we cut these in half and replant?

[mumofstig]

No don't cut them, they're more likely to rot if you do - plant them just as they are, leaving the little sprouts on,to grow.

[lettice]

Agree as above, do not cut them, they may rot.
Those sprouts are known as chits. It is what most of us do with the seed potatoes to give them a head start for growing before planting.
They will produce nicely if planted out now in the ground or in potato bags/pots.
A search on this site will show you loads of tips for growing potatoes.
If they are Vivaldi, that is a nice second early potato, but with so many varieties there are plenty that are so similar.
Enjoy growing and eating them in about three months.