[Maccbean]

I was starting to get a bit concerned because my first ever potato plants are now at about three foot high and still not flowering.  I furtled (learnt that great word here) this morning, and pulled out six beautiful spuds.  I've boiled them and they taste fantastic (I think they are charlottes, the seed potatoes only cost me 50p from B&Q).  So, a few questions: 

1. Do I dig them up as I want them, or do I dig them all up at once? 
2. What exactly do I dig up and remove to make sure the bed is disease free for next plantings? 
3. Can I plant some purple sprouting broccoli in their place as soon as they are dug up (they are raised beds)

So many questions!

[DD.]

Dig them up as you want them. They will get bigger, but immature spuds won't store for very long. Had some the other year that were baked spud size & they were still delicious cooked in their jackets.

Dig everything up. Make sure you get every last spud, no matter how small. (This never happens in reality!).

Yup - get yer sprouters in.

[Livinhope]

I've come to the conclusion from reading on here and listening to other plot holders that it doesn't pay to buy expensive seed potatoes.  You bought from B & Q my neighbour bought his from Wilkinsons, I bought from seed merchant (expensive).  Neighbour has fantastic spuds, as yours, mine are pathetic.  It's cheapies for me next year.

[DD.]

At the end of the day, certified seed spuds come from the same sources.

The only difference between Wilco's & T & M is the mark up & postage.

[Livinhope]

It's taken a while but I've come to that conclusion too.  I shall be hunting for cheaper seeds for next years plantings.

[mumofstig]

The only difference is the choice of varieties stocked, as Wilko tends to sell the old favourites 

No problem for me as they are the ones I choose anyway

[DD.]

Have a look to see if there's a independant nursery near you. Mine are as cheap as Wilco's but offer the choice of up to 90 varieties.

Have a check on this thread to see if there's one already noted near you:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=49027.0

[Livinhope]

That's okay, I much prefer the old varieties, as long as they have King Edwards, Maris and Arran I should be okay.

[argaric]

Also (for next year) watch out for events in your area in National Potatoe Week.
For the last three years we have local events with 100+ varieties and you can buy single spuds.
I choose four or five new types each year to try along with the old favourites bought from Wilkos etc.

Regards,
  Argaric

[Livinhope]

We have a brilliant local potato fest near me and every year I miss it because it isn't given a lot of local publicity.  Thanks for reminding me, any idea when they are held roughly.

[Redgoat]

I get my seed potatoes from homebase. No complaints so far

[plopleuk]

do none of you save some for seed from this seasons crop?

[mumofstig]

This is generally not a good idea as disease is carried over from one years crop to the next in the saved potato.
IMO Certified seed potatoes are cheap enough, if you buy them locally, that you do not have to take the risk.

[diggerjoe]

Mine this year from potato day locally and the ones causeing much discussion on the plot are the blue danube - the leaves are really dark green and the flowers  worthy of the border at home ,a real deep purple, they stand out aginst all the others.

[barbarella]

Purple sprouting broccoli can go in after potatoes, but make sure you firm the soil well around the baby plants - this is a must for all brassicas.  Purple sprouting grow quite tall as well and can suffer from wind rock later in the year if not planted firmly.  I also cut 4 inch squares of carpet underlay, make a hole in the middle to fit round the stem, snip one side to the middle and pop round each plant - this is supposed to deter cabbage root fly and I have never had a problem with it, so I guess it works