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Post by cjhomebird on Apr 6, 2011 14:30:24 GMT
I would like to have a go at growing some potatoes this year and would like to get some planted now, so I need to know a variety to choose, and if I grow in a container how do I go about this? Is it too late for earlys? As you can tell veg growing is not my forte. I havent any space in the garden to grow so will have to be containers or bags.
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Post by Barbara on Apr 6, 2011 15:10:41 GMT
I've planted some up today CJ. I used some reds that were sprouting in the veg rack, I rarely buy seed potatoes. I put about 6 inches of soil in a bag or bucket, put the potatoes in with the eyes facing up, and then fill the bag or bucket right up.
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Post by Rosefriend on Apr 6, 2011 16:08:25 GMT
I too can only grow my potatoes in tubs and I do buy seed potatoes but as Barbara says it isn't always necessary. The first time I planted the potatoes and kept filling the container up but after that I now put about 20cms of soil in , potatoes and then fill right to the top. I also add a little fertilizer - not too much as there will be more leaves than potatoes. I can't help you with the varieties as we have different ones in Germany but I am sure that others in the UK will be more than happy to help. At the top of the board we have the Grow2011 section where we also chat about things we are growing for this particular year....here is the link www.gardenworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=2008trialsand here is the link for Potatoes 2011 www.gardenworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=2008trials&thread=8913&post=331499RF |
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Post by davidk on Apr 7, 2011 20:15:52 GMT
I would just suggest that if you intend to grow your potatoes in containers (irrespective of the time of year they are planted) choose only early varieties.
This is because they mature quicker than others (10 to 12 weeks) and have less top growth...my own preference would be Rocket or Swift.
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Post by Chuckles on Apr 7, 2011 21:10:09 GMT
Good point about the earlies David  |
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Post by cjhomebird on Apr 8, 2011 9:28:03 GMT
Thank you. Bought some earlies and have them planted up in some potato growing bags from Wilkos, looking forward to some nice spuds later in the year. ;D Also now have some broad beans, runner beans and dwarf beans growing nicely, pity I dont have any room for carrotts. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/sad.gif |
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Post by Ladygardener on Apr 8, 2011 10:55:03 GMT
Glad to hear you're joining the veg growers CJ. Hope you get a good crop of potatoes.What variety did you end up with? |
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Post by cjhomebird on Apr 13, 2011 14:06:20 GMT
I bought Pentland Javelin, hoping that these are really earlies, it said so on the pack. I am quite looking forward to having my own veg later in the year. I am hoping that when we get chance we can get behind the fence and tidy up a bit and I can have a proper veg patch. But it needs a lot of work, very heavy digging (which I cant do) so have to wait for a strong man to help. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/grin.gif |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2011 20:40:07 GMT
I started veg growing with a few spuds in pots......ended up with an allotment ;D Don't have the allotment now but I have a nice manageable veg patch in my garden.
I found that when doing spuds in bags or pots, it was good to put a few cm of compost in, place the spuds on top, then cover them over with compost. When the leaves appear, bury them with compost but don't fill the bag. Just keep burying them with a couple of inches of compost every time the leaves grow through until your pot is full and then make sure you keep them well watered but not waterlogged. Pentland Javelin are a nice spud so I hope you get good results - please report back in due course !!
FA x
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Post by Rosefriend on May 3, 2011 6:47:52 GMT
Have a look on the Potato thread on the Grow board Andy.... gardenworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=2008trials&thread=8913&post=331499It is my fault but some of us that do the spuds in containers now do it the RF way....ermmmm plant the spuds and fill the tubs to the top, right from the start. After doing both ways I stick to the easy one of filling to the top and I honestly can't see any difference.. Do tell me, anyone, if there are dire consequences filling to the top straight away. RF |
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Post by andy on May 3, 2011 15:39:09 GMT
Ok...need advice. My International kidney (jersey Royals) are in my big blue flexi tubs with lots of holes in. They were planted over a month ago and have gone mad. For reasons only known to myself, i've kinda neglected them and not earthed them up.
As a result. i have gorgeous 2 foot high potato plants in 6" of soil. is it too late to earth them now ? have i ruined them ? There's no flowers yet but the plants look very nice.
i was also thinking of feeding them....maybe adding some growmore when/if i earth up.
any advice welcome
;D
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Post by Rosefriend on May 3, 2011 16:32:00 GMT
Only me and my 5 cents worth Andy but I would..
a) earth them up to the top leaves - lets face it you aren't going to get many spuds if you don't and they could be green as they are in the light.
b) If they have shot up like that I don't think that you need any more feeding.
I do know people that don't feed at all.
RF
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Post by Deleted on May 3, 2011 18:58:33 GMT
Have a look on the Potato thread on the Grow board Andy.... gardenworld.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=2008trials&thread=8913&post=331499It is my fault but some of us that do the spuds in containers now do it the RF way....ermmmm plant the spuds and fill the tubs to the top, right from the start. After doing both ways I stick to the easy one of filling to the top and I honestly can't see any difference.. Do tell me, anyone, if there are dire consequences filling to the top straight away. RF Well as long as the results are ok, I don't think it matters which way you do them ;D I simply use the way I was advised to do them by some experienced growers. I've tried to look round Google for why the way I described is the preferred method but it just seems to be the conventional wisdom without any reasoning. FA x |
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Post by Barbara on May 3, 2011 19:05:52 GMT
I wonder if the reason we earth them up is because we can't bury them deep enough, but in a bag or pot you can put them as deep as you like.
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Post by Rosefriend on May 4, 2011 6:14:14 GMT
Sounds logical to me Barbara...
RF
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Post by Ladygardener on May 4, 2011 6:27:29 GMT
That does sound like a good reason Barbara. My container potatoes are done the Rf way and are doing great. So much easier when growing in containers not to have to earth up. |
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Post by carolann on May 4, 2011 7:10:14 GMT
I agree with RF but be careful not to break the stems when filling Andy, I grow mine in containers but have a few in the ground (first time) and I fill right from the word go and only last year did I put any food in with them this year they have none but whats in the compost.
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Post by pdblake on May 5, 2011 8:01:20 GMT
I have a couple of rows outside, one early and one maincrop, both earthed up. I also have a couple of buckets on the go, special back of the cupboard variety  which I just put in a few inches of soil and then top right up. They're just poking through now. I've also noticed a volunteer, probably from some peelings in the homebrew compost, out on the main plot and will leave it to see what happens. I usually get a pan of new spuds from them. For those of you who grow spuds in trenches and earth up, do you plant anything in the furrows? |
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Post by farmersboy on May 5, 2011 10:37:52 GMT
No i have enough land so i dont bother,but i know people do plant out sprouts and purple brock,in the furrows
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Post by carolann on May 5, 2011 17:05:51 GMT
Never even thought of it PD but like FB I have enough room for what I grow but a good idea though. My Sarpo are just starting to show through the soil today and with this rain they should romp away now.
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Post by farmersboy on May 5, 2011 17:12:47 GMT
I need some of that rain carolann,for my spuds,they are 7 or 8 ins high
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Post by Ladygardener on May 5, 2011 17:36:00 GMT
I need to get up to the lottie tomorrow to earth up the potatoes I have in the ground.
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Post by pdblake on May 6, 2011 8:08:57 GMT
No i have enough land so i dont bother,but i know people do plant out sprouts and purple brock,in the furrows I've put lettuce in mine but I've heard of folks planting leeks with the idea that they benefit from the run off water. Saying that, there'll be time to try a few leeks once the lettuce has gone. |
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Post by Ladygardener on May 6, 2011 13:07:46 GMT
Using the furrows for planting something else sounds like good space management.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2011 12:26:36 GMT
Using the furrows for planting something else sounds like good space management. Indeed it does, especially for someone like me with a tiny veg plot in the corner of my garden. I'll maybe think about that next year. FA x |
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Post by Chuckles on May 16, 2011 18:24:55 GMT
We had some potatoes from Tesco express the other day called Harmony, they were lovely for mash and roasties were quite sweet tasting. Just wondered if anyone had ever grown them ?
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Post by Barbara on Jul 2, 2011 10:08:09 GMT
 I grew these in a plant pot, not bad for size but maybe another week I have some growing in bags I'll leave a bit longer. |
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Post by Ladygardener on Jul 2, 2011 11:47:10 GMT
Well done Barbara, you got a right good harvest there from a plant pot and the smaller ones will be yummy in salad. |
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Post by Barbara on Jul 2, 2011 12:36:01 GMT
Just goes to show how small gardens can still give you plenty of stuff. |
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Post by farmersboy on Jul 3, 2011 5:54:27 GMT
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which I just put in a few inches of soil and then top right up. They're just poking through now.