potatoes chitting & planting info please

[ananemka]

HI can anyone help me? Ive just taken on a small allotment for the first time. My seed potatoes have arrived 1 x small bag of charlotte,s and 1 x small bag of Cara .These at this moment in time are still in the delivery box in the garage. Plus a small bag of vivaldi that have yet to arrive. Would really like some advise on chitting & planting like when to start chitting and time scale? Also when to start planting them. the allotment is in the midlands if this helps many thanks

[Monika]

Hello, ananemka, if you look under "Seasonal Tips" on this forum, potato chitting was discussed at length there not long ago. For the time of planting, it really depends when you expect to get the last frosts in your area to make sure that your potato tops are not frosted or that you have means of covering them up, when frost is threatened.

With us, in the Yorkshire Dales (last night frosts usually end of May/start of June), I reckon to plant the first potatoes towards the end of April to be on the safe side.

[ananemka]

Hi Monika many thanks for taking the time to answer my question thanks i took a look as you suggested . Then decided to take my seed potatoes out of the box and lay out in the garage in an attempt to chit them only to find detailed instructions tucked away right at the very bottom of the box !!

[freddy]

Hi ananemka. I just thought I'd mention that when chitting potatoes, make sure that there is plenty of light, otherwise the shoots will go all 'leggy'. I'm assuming that your garage is dark inside ? As for planting time, mid-april is usually ok. Hope this helps, cheers...freddy.

[ananemka]

Cheers Freddy The spuds were on a tray in the garage near the back door ( half glass ) not much light though . Have now moved them into tha conservatory with the blinds sightly closed so they dont get direct sunlight many thanks