The Tatties Thread 2020

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Mar 28, 2020.

  1. beefpotnoodle

    beefpotnoodle Gardener

    Joined:
    May 6, 2014
    Messages:
    76
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +65
    Hi, I'm new and think I've found the best thread...I planted some seeder potato's about 10 days ago. I think I have some shoots, it's in a pot and I'm intending on adding compost to 'earth up' is now the right time or do I wait a little longer? Thanks for any help
     

    Attached Files:

    • Like Like x 1
    • Kristen

      Kristen Under gardener

      Joined:
      Jul 22, 2006
      Messages:
      17,534
      Gender:
      Male
      Location:
      Suffolk, UK
      Ratings:
      +12,667
      Do you know what variety they are?

      If the are First Earlies I would earth them up right away ... First Earlies are shortest season (planting-to-harvest) so don't spend a lot of time thinking about stuff, so better that the shoots are under soil from the outset

      If they are 2nd early or mains then not so much rush - but no particular reason not to cover them straightaway

      If they are outside then they won't tolerate any frost, so typically folk delay earthing up so that the shoots are not forced, and there is some soil and height available to cover the shoots if frost is forecast.

      if it was me, and given they are in a pot, I would earth up when I planted them ("now" in your case :) ) and I would bring the pot in for the night if frost is forecast :)
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • beefpotnoodle

        beefpotnoodle Gardener

        Joined:
        May 6, 2014
        Messages:
        76
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +65
        Thanks, yeah got three types of main crops, in tubs do I can move them in. I put four seeders in each to see what would happen. Cheers, ill add another inch or two of compost
         
        • Like Like x 1
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          30,681
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +45,627
          4 weeks later and they have sprouted well (only two slices failed to chit). Photo is just before planting at the allotment:

          20200426_120621.jpg
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Friendly Friendly x 1
          • FlyFifer

            FlyFifer Gardener

            Joined:
            Jul 9, 2019
            Messages:
            29
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Kirkcaldy, Fife
            Ratings:
            +48
            I was thinking of using a couple of old compost bags to grow spuds. Never grown them before so I guess this is a dumb question.
            I have a bag of Albert Bartletts from the supermarket which are sprouting. In the current climate, I can`t go browsing so can they be used?
            I guess I can get proper seed pot`s delivered but only really need half a dozen tubers so don`t want to buy a Kilo and waste most of them.
             
          • JWK

            JWK Gardener Staff Member

            Joined:
            Jun 3, 2008
            Messages:
            30,681
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Surrey
            Ratings:
            +45,627
            Hi @FlyFifer normally I would say buy proper seed potatoes, but given the current situation, using your supermarket spuds is the sensible and safest way to go. Honestly I doubt you could find any for sale anyway. As they are sprouting you know you are in with a chance (sometimes supermarket spuds are chemically treated to suppress growth)
             
            • Like Like x 1
              Last edited: Apr 27, 2020
            • beefpotnoodle

              beefpotnoodle Gardener

              Joined:
              May 6, 2014
              Messages:
              76
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +65
              Only half of mine are seeders. I also figured as I had some old potatoes sprouting I'd give them a shot. Planted 4 in each tub, hoping 25% would work
               
              • Like Like x 2
                Last edited: Apr 28, 2020
              • Freddy

                Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

                Joined:
                Jul 15, 2007
                Messages:
                9,461
                Gender:
                Male
                Occupation:
                Retired - yay!
                Location:
                Bristol
                Ratings:
                +12,508
                As space is at a premium, I’ve only got three rows of three. I wasn’t able to get my favourite, ‘Arran Pilot’, so opted for ‘Foremost’ (first early). I normally only ‘Earth up’ when frost is forecast, or to keep off the light from the spuds. Frost has normally dictated the earthing up, but is this something that should be routinely done?
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • FlyFifer

                  FlyFifer Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jul 9, 2019
                  Messages:
                  29
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Kirkcaldy, Fife
                  Ratings:
                  +48
                  Thanks John.

                  For some reason I`d thought not possible, so am going to have a go. I`ve a couple of bags of MPC and manure sitting around waiting to be used anyway.

                  Andy.
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

                    Joined:
                    Jun 3, 2008
                    Messages:
                    30,681
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Surrey
                    Ratings:
                    +45,627
                    Good choice of early variety @Freddy. Earthing up is not really needed for first early spuds except as you say, for keeping the sun off them turning any tubers near the surface green.

                    For second early and main crop it is beneficial to earth up as it increases yield by elongating the underground stems giving more tubers. Also it keeps weeds down.
                     
                    • Like Like x 2
                    • beefpotnoodle

                      beefpotnoodle Gardener

                      Joined:
                      May 6, 2014
                      Messages:
                      76
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Ratings:
                      +65
                      So checked on my potato tubs, the largest one had sprouting again, so earthed up another 2". So that 25ltr tub is up to 10" now.
                      The other smaller 20ltr tubs I haven't seen any sprouting, these were with the seed potatoes. So I'm leaving them.
                      My question is, can I keep earthing up until the 25 ltr tub is full and would this get me more potatoes? They are all main croppers
                       
                    • Scrungee

                      Scrungee Well known for it

                      Joined:
                      Dec 5, 2010
                      Messages:
                      16,524
                      Location:
                      Central England on heavy clay soil
                      Ratings:
                      +28,996
                      • Like Like x 1
                      • JWK

                        JWK Gardener Staff Member

                        Joined:
                        Jun 3, 2008
                        Messages:
                        30,681
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Location:
                        Surrey
                        Ratings:
                        +45,627
                        Keep earthing up for a bigger yield and to stop light turning the tubers green.
                         
                        • Agree Agree x 1
                        • Informative Informative x 1
                        • beefpotnoodle

                          beefpotnoodle Gardener

                          Joined:
                          May 6, 2014
                          Messages:
                          76
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Ratings:
                          +65
                        • Vince

                          Vince Not so well known for it.

                          Joined:
                          Mar 10, 2008
                          Messages:
                          1,861
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Occupation:
                          Retired
                          Location:
                          North London / Lincolnshire Fens
                          Ratings:
                          +3,499
                          Only growing 2 varieties this year, Charlotte because you just cannot get a better spud straight from the ground into the pot (No, the pot doesn't follow me when harvesting) and Old Faithful Cara which will be left to die off, left in situ until Christmas and Jan 1st (my birthday), would have liked to grow more but we are in a transitional period, house sorted first then garden!
                           
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • Agree Agree x 1
                          Loading...

                          Share This Page

                          1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                            By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                            Dismiss Notice