[down the lane]

Went to the plot yesterday to do the weekly weed and tidy up and noticed that my Kerr Pink Potatoes were dying. I instantly thought it was Blight but couldn't see any of the normal symptoms, all i could see was the base of the plants were black. I dug one plant and checked the tubers. All barr one seemed OK. The infected tuber looked like the skin was infected and when I cut it in two the inside was brown from the centre out as per this site http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/blackleg.htm.
I'm going back to the plot today to burn all traces of these plants. My one dilema is what to do with the healthy looking tubers that I dig Up Burn or keep? Any help would be appreciated as this is my first year growing veg.

[Ourveggiepatch]

Hi

Sorry to hear this, I cant advise I am afraid as I wouldnt know.  I have had a search on the net for you and didnt find a website that said you can use the non affected tuburs.  The only thing I found was saying you must follow the following advice to ensure prevention:

Crop roatation, only use cerified tuburs, keep all gardening tools steralised, dont harvest or plant when the soil is wet, dont wash your harvested spuds before storage, dont store or plant damaged tuburs

unfortunately this is all rather late as it has happened. 

Personally (this may not be right though) I would harvest the spuds, burn any affected tuburs and plants and if there are any that are sound then I would allow them to dry out, check for any damage then store for eating.  I would dissenfect any tools used and use the ground next year for veg not in the potato family.

perhaps someone else will respond and advise if this is correct or provide better advice.

Good luck

OVP

[down the lane]

Many thanks Ourveggiepatch, Your advice sounds good to me, I'm heading down to the plot now to try and sort this mess out.

[Yorkie]

The RHS has an advice page on blackleg

http://www.rhs.org.uk/Advice/profiles0902/potato_rot.asp