[Greendream]

Hi all!
I have nearly dug over my new plot, but am worn down from all the potatoes that seem to be there! There is at least another 3 rows fom last year which are now all shooting up. Is it best to dig them all up and start again with a fresh crop of something else, or will they be edible for this year?
As a complete newbie to this game I just dont know! 
I have thrown all the others I dug up as they seem to be sprouting all over the place!

[Yorkie]

These are often called volunteer spuds and every allotment holder has one or more than a few!

I would personally not rely on them for my crop this year.  They may have blight or other diseases from last year (particularly as blight was rather prevalent).

It is strongly recommended that you use fresh certified virus-free potatoes each year in order to prevent importing viruses to your plot and the wider environment.

That being said, others may have other views!

[galen]

Agree with Yorkie1. Dig them all up - From reading other posts there was blight everywhere last year and so they could well be infected themselves. Also, don't grow spuds on the same area until  at least 20012 (I stand to be corrected on that one  )

[Yorkie]

Also, don't grow spuds on the same area until  at least 20012 (I stand to be corrected on that one  )

Or even 2012 

I use a 3-year rotation so that would take you to 2011, but 4 or more years is even better.

[mumofstig]

Also, don't grow spuds on the same area until  at least 20012

thought that was one hell of a rotation cycle

[AndyRVTR]

Also, don't grow spuds on the same area until  at least 20012 (I stand to be corrected on that one  )

blooming Hell... that's some size lottie you have there... 

[coo!]

i did the same other day i dug up and got lots of little tatas so ive dug em up and im havin them for tea tomorro, just check them thou cause some had a few slugs in em,  protein mmmm

[Greendream]

Thanks for the tips!  My dada reckons some he dug up were delicous, and they have looked good (apart from all the roots!) but I will get them up anyway. Got plans for beds where they are at the mo. Put my chitted potatoes in a few weeks ago in the the only area that didnt have any growing in it so fingers crossed they will be 'andsome as we say in Cornwall! 

[galen]

I'm aiming to leave my lottie to my daughter, her daughter, her daughters daughter, I suppose there could be sons involved as well......