[bayleaf]

I planted some Arran pilot in raised beds in late March (I can't remember exactly when) and now they are about to start flowering. They have been earthed up properly and were well chitted when they went in. I notice other people have talked about harvesting already. Surely it's too early or should I harvest when they start flowering as the books say? I live in Lancashire and last year didn't harvest my Pentland javelins till late July. What should I do? I can't see that it will be too long before they start flowering and that means harvesting in a couple of weeks at the latest. Where are your earlies up to Aidy?

[WG.]

Leave them be so that you get a decent crop    .  Its not even mid-May yet.

[DadBear]

Leave them be so that you get a decent crop    .  Its not even mid-May yet.

mine are well up too, about 3' and growing well although no flowers yet. I planted arran pilot and pentland javelins late march...I dont think we should be in any hurry... leave them to flower and take it from there I think. It has surpeised me how quickly and vigorously mine have grown this year, thanks to the mild april i think....

[milkman]

you could always wriggle your fingers into the soil under a couple of the plants and see if you can feel anything worth harvesting - if there is, then just pick out a couple of the good sized tubers leaving the rest to grow on.

The great thing is that the rain has arrived just in time and with all this moisture they should be putting on some rapid growth over the next couple of weeks.

[GafferGamgee]

I brushed back some of the soil I had earthed up today....couldn't contain my curiosity it being the first time I have grown anything and having just payed 2 quid for a few jersey's....I saw a few little, tiny no bigger than my fingernail, white spudlets
So, a little while to go yet I reckon!