[Casey76]

In preparation for next year, when is the best time to put in potatoes?  I thought I could be adventurous and do first earlies, second earlies and a main crop too.

Also, is it possible to buy seed potatoes in smaller numbers than 25 (which seems to be the average I've seen so far here!)  I'd probably only need 5 of each!

[DD.]

I start my planting at the end of March & it's early April by the time I've got around to the lates, due to the quantity. Many put in their spuds all at the same time as lates need a longer growing season.

There are many nurseries, mostly family run independent ones, that sell individual seed spuds, my local one does, (see the sticky at the top of the forum). I don't know what the situation is where you are, but I could always bring some across!

[aelf]

Much the same as DD, It's apparently traditional to plant at Easter, but I aim for a mid March start and plant 1 row a week, making a total of 7 rows - 3 rows salad, then 3 rows main and 1 row 'specials'. That way, they mature at different times. I also have bags dotted around in gaps with leftovers/other varieties in.

Lots of sellers were offering seed potatoes packets of 5 and packets of 10 this year but I couldn't find anyone selling them individually in my area.

[DD.]

I don't hold with the Good Friday thing, neither did my grandfather.

Last year it was March 21st, in 2 years it's April 22nd, that's over a month variation in 3 years.

If I stuck to that, in 2011, my earlies would be well late!

[mumofstig]

Plant on St Patrick's day, same as the Oirish

Some of the big seed catalogues do offers on small bags as top ups for their potato pots/bags, only worth the postage if you're already placing a seed order though

[elibump]

Hi there fellow Francophile

A few villages around here all club together and the commune buys a humungus size bag of seed potatoes from the coop and then the commune share out, do you have any others in your village who would share the cost of a big bag of seed potatoes??

[argaric]

Look out for National Potatoe Day next year, it happens in January and we have been going to a local event for the last couple of years where they have over a hundred varieties of seed potatoes and you can buy as many or as little as you want.

Google early next year and sure you will find an event near you.

Regards,
  Argaric

[DD.]

Errrr - Agaric - have a look at where Casey76 lives.

I've offered to take some.

[horsepooisgood]

Do you need someone to accompany you Dave, just to make sure you don't get lost