[Bozwell]

I had me a fertle and got me some great spuds, looking nearly ready. Not sure wether to go dig em up or leave it another week or two. Is any one else pulling 2nd earlies yet?

[mumofstig]

My Charlotte 2nds were ready before my 1sts Red Duke of York...so yes i have been eating them

[beansticks]

My advice would be to dig them up as and when you need them,left in the ground they will bulk up a little more.

[richyrich7]

Not touched any yet

[GrannieAnnie]

I've only just started on my earlies as they were late going in!

[SnooziSuzi]

Not touched any yet

  How can you resist!??

[Mitsy]

I haven't touched my Charlottes yet 

[Muddylou]

Not touched any yet

Nor me, my first earlies are flowering (Kestrel), but I've been told I should wait for the "haulms" (learnt this word recently) to die before digging up. I haven't grown spuds before so I'm a bit confused.

[mumofstig]

as long as they've been in for more than 12/13 weeks, there should be some there.I planted on 15th March and I didn't wait for 1st early foliage to die back don't think you have to. Last week I had a gentle furkle around to see how big they are. Some were the size of eggs so i dug the first plant up and ate them. Yesterday i dug up another plant and i will carry on till they're all gone

[Salmo]

Muddylou - no need to wait until the tops die, in fact if you do you will miss that magic first early taste. If there are potatoes there dig them and eat them. To get the best you have to rob the first few plants before they have fully bulked up.

[Muddylou]

Thanks Mumofstig and Salmo, (apologies to Bozwell for the thread hijack), I'll dig some up this weekend. Let you all know if they were any good.   

[Paul Plots]

I haven't touched my Charlottes yet 

Must say I have - a small handful but lovely.....so probably a bit too early!
 Now I have to be patient.... not easy 

[DD.]

Not touched any yet

Nor me, my first earlies are flowering (Kestrel), but I've been told I should wait for the "haulms" (learnt this word recently) to die before digging up. I haven't grown spuds before so I'm a bit confused.

Kestrel are a second early, but I treat them as a maincrop and grow them to full maturity as someone has advised you.

If you want "new" potatoes, you have to dig them up earlier, whilst smaller & immature as stated.

[braders1234]

Well I have already been digging up and eating wonderfull earlies since the 6th of June.

I must say having pulled up a plant this week I was surprised at how big some of them where, almost baking potatoe size.  I had a nagging doubt and consulted my allotment plan, brushed of teh dust from the journel and checked.

Yes I have been eating my 2nd earlies for two weeks whilst my 1st's sit there happily growing away!!

[slow_worm]

1st Earlies at the moment - 3 rows of Bonnie Dundee
2nd earlies and main soon - dark red norland & edgecote purple