[Iain@JBA]

I try not to send out anything before January.
Everyone this year involved with potatoes has had problems getting potatoes transported around the country due to weather. We now recommend a next day delivery if customers insist on potatoes at this time of year.
I would say the whole season is starting in the middle of November now which puts us under increasing pressure as we do not finish harvest until October sometimes.
I have had to purchase a new packing machine to keep up with demand

[zazen999]

Iain - does that include the delivery to shops/nurseries as well?

[Iain@JBA]

Yes that does include the delivery to shops and nurseries.
If they had them delivered at the start of next year then it would be soon enough.

[Cheshire Phill]

Timing-wise, I agree with others.

If you're going to plant 'em in the ground around mid-end March, then backscheduling chitting of 4-6 weeks gives you start of Feb. earliest.

I'm enjoying the selection process now, will order prob mid-Jan, hoping to receive and start chitting Feb onwards....and if delivery is a little late, then no worries.

Guess the worry with garden centres is there won't be any left by then...the B & Q Charlottes did look rather good, might sneak a single bag and store in dark garage....

Phill 
 

[stompy]

Would it be possible to grow potatoes at this time of year in a potatoe bin in the greenhouse?

[Cheshire Phill]

Hmmm, I haven't ever tried this, but I'd be doubtful...my [cold] greenhouse has been down to -2C recently, even with bubble-wrap insulation, so I wouldn't expect much action at these temps...

Phill

[zazen999]

Would it be possible to grow potatoes at this time of year in a potatoe bin in the greenhouse?

If they are buried deep enough, then they will get going when they are ready; remember that volunteer potatoes come up year after year and nobody protects those.

[DD.]

But the volunteers always seem to come up after the ones you've planted.

[zazen999]

But the volunteers always seem to come up after the ones you've planted.

Yes, that's why I said they will come up when they are ready.

[harry]

I think it's far too early to be getting seed spuds.  Mine never go into the ground before March and you only start chitting them (in a light cool place to develop strong sprouting shoots) a few weeks before that.

Our spuds through the allotment shop won't be delivered until the end of January.

The terms early / maincrop / lates relate to the length of time before harvesting and not the time of planting; they can all be planted at the same time.

I did'nt realise you planted them all at the same time, shows what a novice i am

[DavidT]

The OLD rule for planting spuds is, Late potatoes early. Early potatoes late. Basically, you can plant late, or main crop, potatoes, at the end of February. They will grow in colder conditions than early, or new, potatoes. These need to go in once the soil has warmed up. and must be grown quickly. Main crop spuds need 14 to 16 weeks from planting to harvesting. Early pots need 10 to 12 weeks. If you want garden potatoes for Christmas, store some Earlies in dried peat or sand, rather than trying to grow them especially.

[peapod]

Ok, sorry to sound dim David (its my usual), but as I plant in trenches about 10/12 inch deep (if not more) I can bung maincrop in at end of feb without worry of frost up 'ere in norf lancs?

[DD.]

Maincrop need more than that surely? More like 22 weeks. If I plant them in March, I don't expect to be lifting them in July.

[peapod]

I agree DD, my KE had more than 22 weeks last year and were well fed etc, but some werent the greatest size

[DavidT]

Ok, sorry to sound dim David (its my usual), but as I plant in trenches about 10/12 inch deep (if not more) I can bung maincrop in at end of feb without worry of frost up 'ere in norf lancs?

As you are planting in subsoil I`m surprised you get a crop anyway.