[Riala]

I have no idea which potatoes I am growing! 

I must of accidentally threw the packet away when I tidied the shed.  Will there be any chance at all of identifying them from the plant, or even the spud?

[peapod]

I really cant think that you would be able to identify from the foliage.  When the spuds are ready you may be able to identify then, but only if you know your spuds (e.g. Id recognise King Edwards or Charlottes). Can you remember if they were earlies/mains etc so you at least have an idea of how long they should be there?

[Riala]

1st Earlies, that I am almost positive off, and Dad got them in B&Q.

[peapod]

So you know they are new/salad potatoes and when to dig them up. Even if you dont know the varieties at least you know how to cook them!

[darthpaul]

My thread high jacked! Can someone tell me if I need to protect the plants against slugs in tubs?

[peapod]

Sorry Paul!
Depends if you are worried the little &^%% can climb up the tub sides. I dont tend to get slug damage when growing in tubs (even hostas!) but there are some in the soil remember.  If you are worried then you can sprinkle a few pellets, or an organic method if you prefer...

[darthpaul]

Thanks Peapod Think I will see how I do, I have quite a lot of frogs in my garden even though I have no pond (yet) so they keep the population down for me

[peapod]

You sound pretty much safe then (dont sue me!)

[darthpaul]

Ok finally for my seed potatoes from JBA (Courier managed to come on the days no one was home!) Anyway they need chitting but I was unsure if this was absolutely necessary? They are Charlotte and King Edward seeds. Am happy to plant in a week or 2 if needs be but wanted the wise advice

[peapod]

You dont have to chit...I dont chit my mains, it just gives them a head start..so its entirely up to you if you want to do so

[darthpaul]

Awesome will plant them one evening this week then.

[Iain@JBA]

Yeah stick them straight in and they will grow just as quick at this time of year.
Typical with the couriers

[darthpaul]

Well they insist on having their warehouse in central Bristol, no way I want to try and get there after work, traffic is terrible!

Iain are those bags big enough for all 5? in each bag.

[Iain@JBA]

I put all 5 in my bags but I cut some of the eyes off them so there are fewer buy larger tubers grown in the bags. Mine are almost at the tops of the bags now. When the shoots popped through the first time I gave them a real soaking and then put on 6" of dry compost then when they came through that layer I gave them another good soaking and put the last 6" of dry compost on top. I don't water until the shoots come through each layer.
Oh god did they give you the old you can come and pick them up from here line?
Some depots are great and others

[darthpaul]

I guess drier compost makes it easier for the foliage to get through as its crumbly. My earlies are just poking through the first compost now but  they have had a soaking over the weekend and today so the compost is pretty wet. When I add more I wont water the new stuff like you and see how it goes!