[Thephoenix572]

I've just bought some Ulster Classic and Beauty of Bute potatoes for sowing in August to be cropped pre Christmas. I'll see how they do. Have any of you good people planted potatoes for Christmas in the past?

[AnneB]

Yes we tried it last year with some Kestret.  They got late blight in September.  Managed to rescue some crop which was tasty.  Overall not worth it was  the conclusion.

[Thephoenix572]

Well I'll give them a go, nothing ventured as they say

[DD.]

From previous years, very mixed results, more failures than successes.

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=68839.msg787586#msg787586

How/where do you intend growing them?

[TerryB]

Do it each year with 3 Red Duke of York , saved from spring planting, in grow bag.
This is moved into greenhouse when toms come out.
Don't get a lot but there colour adds to the Christmas table and they do taste great.

[lazza]

Tried them for the first time last year, a minor success (in that I actually got some potatoes, but very few) - but I don't seem to have the true knack with spuds anyway. Had to dig through 8" of snow to get to them, mind you.... 

[DD.]

If you grow them totally outside, they'll come to a halt come the cooler October weather and will certainly shuffle off this mortal coil at the first frost.

It seems people have more succes growing in containers that can be moved into a greenhouse, for instance.

[Thephoenix572]

A mate of mine is selling me two blue 200 litre barrels for £20 delivered so going to cut them in half and plant five in each. Then stick the used compost on the garden when spuds are harvested. Then use them for celery next year

[Yorkie]

Make sure you drill holes in them first 

[Thephoenix572]

Will do. The barrels contained cider so flavoured tattees