2nd Cropping Potatoes
Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:10 pm
A previous attempt many years ago with 2nd cropping potatoes had yielded virtually nothing, but with the summer potato yield greatly reduced and anticipating a continuance of the mild Autumns I decided to try it this year. I chose Charlotte, technically a 2nd early, mainly because we very much like the flavour and because I have always found it the most slug resistant variety. But I had intended to plant all in 14 litre black plastic pots, but didn't have time to sieve enough soil, so I had 22 pots and 15 in a row in the ground.
The results were very variable. 1 potted tuber and about 3 in the ground did not show. Of the rest about 6 of the pots and 5 in the ground were most reluctant growers and probably didn't produce more than about half a dozen small tubers. Of the rest, those in pots grew quickest and the 11 best pots contributed nearly 2/3 total yield. Clearly the pots warmed up quicker and later on I was able to move them to the sunniest position in the garden.
The end result was just over 17lbs of very fine quality potatoes - no slug damage either in the pots or the ground. I mention the latter fact again as in my allotment in Hemel on clay soil I grew many diffent varieties and slugs were a major problem with most varieties - even earlies - and Charlotte was by far the best in this respect, far better than Kestrel.
Was it worth it? This year yes, but I think in a 'normal' year I probably wouldn't bother.
The results were very variable. 1 potted tuber and about 3 in the ground did not show. Of the rest about 6 of the pots and 5 in the ground were most reluctant growers and probably didn't produce more than about half a dozen small tubers. Of the rest, those in pots grew quickest and the 11 best pots contributed nearly 2/3 total yield. Clearly the pots warmed up quicker and later on I was able to move them to the sunniest position in the garden.
The end result was just over 17lbs of very fine quality potatoes - no slug damage either in the pots or the ground. I mention the latter fact again as in my allotment in Hemel on clay soil I grew many diffent varieties and slugs were a major problem with most varieties - even earlies - and Charlotte was by far the best in this respect, far better than Kestrel.
Was it worth it? This year yes, but I think in a 'normal' year I probably wouldn't bother.