What and when?

[CJS]

Hi all, My potato bags are doing really well . . . the tops are that is, its like walking past a row of triffids to get to the back gate What I need to know, when and how do I know when they are ready to harvest? Sorry, silly question but have no idea?

I have all my brasicas in, doing well, purple sprouting broccoli and greyhound cabbage. They will not last for ever, I seem to remember my Grandad having 'Purple', cabbages and sprouts for Christmas? Plenty of room in the greenhouse to start some seedlings but what and when, or have I missed it?

CJS

[alan refail]

Hi CJS

Someone better answer this

Your potatoes will be ready nine to twelve+ weeks after planting depending on variety. If they are flowering varieties, they are coming ready when the flowers open.

As for your second question, whether you have "missed it" or not depends on what you want to grow. Have a think and tell us.

[John]

Hello CJS
The best way to tell what your potatoes are doing down below is to feel down into the soil and carefully scrabble about to see if you can find anything. Just pull out the useful sized potatoes, enough for a meal, and let the undisturbed ones grow on for a bit longer.

John

[CJS]

Thanks Alan, thats about 9-10 weeks since planting, so coming ready? Variety: . . . 'Pink fur Apple' and 'Morrison special surprise'???? . . . we found a few escapees in the back of the vege cupboard that had chitted, so it will be a 'surprise'

I had in mind trying to grow for Christmas; Brussel sprouts, Purple sprouting broccoli, and Parsnips.

I have a few early parsnips growing now, it is a few, most seeds did not take, is there a problem growing parsnips?

Hay John, the simple way, I would never have thought of that

CJS

[alan refail]

Hi CJS

Your Pink Fir Apple are not likely to be ready yet. They are a very late variety, maturing three to three and a half months after planting.

[PLUMPUDDING]

Last week I emptied out my Red Duke of York potatoes from one of the special potato growing sacks someone had bought for me. I had planted five smallish seed potatoes and they produced 3 lb nice sized new potatoes. I put them in on 18th January in the cold greenhouse so they've taken 16 weeks plus to get to any size. They were sending out rather long shoots, so I had to get them planted for their own protection.

There were quite a few very small potatoes still forming which would have made a much larger crop. I'm leaving the other tub also with five tubers in until the tops start to die down and will weigh whatever the other five produce.

I had done as John says and felt under the compost to check the size of the tubers before emptying them out, so I knew at least some of them were a decent size.

Mine were obviously biding their time while the weather warmed up, so ones planted later when it is warm should grow much faster. I would say don't be in too much of a hurry or you'll be disappointed. If you want an early new potato I would try Lady Crystal next year.

[CJS]

Thanks all for replys. I looked at my 'tag in the bag' the days says mid March, so it looks like wait till the tops die start to back. No idea what variety is in 3 out of the four bags, Hazel found them lurking in the back of the veggie cupboard chitting away for all they were worth . . . So, they are 'Morrison's Special Surprise'

Out in the garden earlier, took a couple of pics., see below:

Morrison's Special Surprise, flower:


Red bedding Marigold:


Here is the link to see them larger, Natures detail is amazing . . .
http://focal-pla.net/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1198

CJS