[mumofstig]

I think the light levels are a problem then................but I'll leave this one for the experts, as it's not something I think will work...

but someone else may know otherwise  

[Ivor Backache]

So, it's about 20 weeks to Christmas.  What about if I grew them in a pot and protected them from the frost, say put them in a greenhouse or similar?

Your actual growing time will be in Aug/Sept and Oct. and then the clocks go back and daylight will be minimal. They will need protection from frost in Nov and Dec. You tip them out on Christmas day and rejoice.

[mumofstig]

Will these be the big potatoes that Maccbean wants....
or just small new potatoes Ivor?

[tegan]

What a brilliant idea, I've just harvested my earlies and they didi well so I've looked at Iains site for Christmas but they all seem to be planted in sacks. Do I need to plant the Christmas poatoes in sacks or can I plant them in my raised beds?

[spiderlyn]

OK.. I've ordered a winter pack from Iian...  when they arrive do i chit them as you do with the earlies/lates?? never growed Christmas pots before.. so this is all new to me HELP!!!

[Ivor Backache]

Will these be the big potatoes that Maccbean wants....
or just small new potatoes Ivor?

I think we are talking of small new potatoes. (Probably very small?) 

Tegan:- I also think that unless we have exceptional growing conditions, growing in a raised bed will have problems. One frost will be enough, so they need to be moved to prevent this.

[gypsy]

I only want to grow a few spuds for Christmas so do not want to buy a massive net of spuds, where can I get the seed potatoes from, they only seem to be in the shops in late winter / early spring.

[Jonajo]

I sowed about a dozen "vivaldi" last year around the start of August, covered with fleece when the cold weather and the frosts came and had more than enough spuds over Christmas and beyond. I did pick some on Christmas morning for the sheer fun of it. And these spuds worked brilliantly roasted (the best, sweetest flavour and lovely texture) and also were very fine when boiled.

[gypsy]

thanks Jon, I will see if I can get hold of any.

[aelf]

Mine are going in today! 

[Kristen]

Is it a bit early?

Mine are chitting, but I thought mid August was planing time ? (Not done them before though ... well, not quite true, I bought seed potatoes last year but never planted them  )

[aelf]

probably but I'm assuming another harsh and early winter. The weather has been so mixed this year so I'm assuming that the end of this year's growing season will come early and I want the plants to be as big as possible before I move them to the greenhouse. If thay are ready early, they can stay in the bags til I need them 

[Kristen]

Ah good idea ... I have enough for about 6 bags, so I could stagger the planting

[Maccbean]

So Kristen, does that mean you are planting soon?

[Kristen]

I reckon. One bag a week, or maybe every two weeks ...

I need to think about it for a bit first though, don't want to be seen not to be prevaricating