New potatoes

[Brenjon]

Has anyone harvested any new poatoes from a planting in the greenhouse? (empty compost bags etc.) My haulms are about 12 inches tall but have not flowered yet(Ulstre Prince) ,I would imagine it is too early. to harvest them yet .When would be the best time?

Regards Brenjon

[Tigger]

Mine are in flower (Red Duke of York) so it won't be long now............

[sandersj89]

Getting there:



These are Mimi and Foremost, another 2 weeks or so.

Jerry

[Johnboy]

Dear Jerry,
Please do stop posting these wonderful photographs as they keep reducing me to a salivating mess!!

[sandersj89]

Sorry Johnboy, you had better not look at my Blog as just added even more!



Jerry

[Pol]

Hi
I have some Swift in a tub and a few in a bed, both in the polytunnel. The ones in the tub are like the ones in the photo only bigger! I am not sure what the answer was - do I wait till the flowers come out before digging them up? Someone please tell me as this is my first time in a tunnel!
Thanks.

[oldherbaceous]

Hello Pol i'm growing swift under a long plastic cloche, i'm going to dig some this sunday as they are just about ready. If you are not sure if they are ready have a little scratch about in the soil.

Kind regards Old Herbaceous.

Theres no fool like an old fool.

[Trevor Holloway]

I've planted Formost in old swing top bins (3 in each), as the green is poking its heads through the compost I am adding more.
My question is when do I stop and let them get on with it, do I keep going until I run out of bin depth then let them grow if so how much growth should I allow ?

This is my first time growing anything in earnest (much easier than the clay soil) !

[sandersj89]

In theory you can continue until you reach near the top of the bin. (Dont go right to the top as you need to leave enough room for watering). The more stem that is covered means your should get a higher yield.

However the deeper the bin the harder the water and nutrient management gets and the harder the harvest gets as the spuds lower down will mature first.

HTH

Jerry

[Pol]

Thanks Old H. I will have a look at the weekend and let you know what I find! I have planted quite a few outside as well and they are looking good, not as big of course. I am trying to stagger the supply, seems to be working. Only moved in last September and the whole veggie plot was completely overgrown. We have done lots of clearing and digging but still doing battle with lots of weeds. The potato plot seems to be the clearest at the moment.
Polly

[Trevor Holloway]

Jerry,
I can add a watering tube to water from the middle and top of the bin !
If the ones at the bottom mature first, can I empty the bin from the bottom (not thought out the practicalities yet)?

[sandersj89]

Trevor

Yes, if you can get to them take the bottom ones first.

This is how the commercial Potato Barrels work, they have sliding trap boors in the sides.

For me I will stick to the large tubs as they work well and get used 2 or 3 times each through the year for other crops as well.

HTH

Jerry

[Trevor Holloway]

I'll cut the bottom off and lift the bin, after I have moved it into one of the raised beds so the compost / soil can be re-used.
It'll be fun trying !
When can I harvest - they were planted at the very begining of March - no frosts here since ?

[sandersj89]

I work on about 100 to 110 days for new potatoes. But if they flower before that then have a root around to see what you can feel.

Jerry

[Trevor Holloway]

I'll mark the middle of June on my calendar !