[julietmaria]

I am new to all this.  My potatos have arrived, one set of earlies and one set of lates (?)  What shall I do with them?  I only have one egg box of 12 so can only accomodate 24 potatoes in that.  What else can I use and do I need to put them in compost.  I read somewhere that they needed to be put in a light cold place, not sure where that can be in our house?  Thanks and sorry for being so dense :oops: Juliet

[Nikkithefoot]

There are differing opinions as th whether even early potatoes need chitting before planting. Some folks do some don't.

If you want to chit put your spuds in a frost free coolish place that is well lit. Once you see the spuds 'growing' then plant them. Lates don't need chitting at all, just plant them as normal.

[Cazzy]

I'm new to this too and chitted mine in eggboxes but my more experienced allotment neighbour, who is a bit of a character, said 'ye don't see farmers chitting totties fer gawds sake, get them in the ground'

I see his point but most ppl I talk to all say to chit them so i'm none the wiser.

[Ruth Cross]

I always chit mine, as it saves you planting 'dud' ones.
I put mine in egg boxes, in a cool airy place, in the light.
When they start to 'sprout' pick of the smaller weaker shoots and leave about 3 strong shoots per spud. When the shoots are about 1 inch long I plant them out. You can use any spuds to grow even ones from the supermarket, but certified seed potatoes are more likely to be disease resistent.

Don't plant out spuds that have sprouted in a dark spud sack as the shoots are weak, just pick the weak shoots off and let them sprout out in the light.