Tatties 2017

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Scrungee, Jan 5, 2017.

  1. "M"

    "M" Total Gardener

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    When do I plant out my chitted 1st earlies? :scratch:
     
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    • Steve R

      Steve R Soil Furtler

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      Traditionally, Good Friday, but as that changes every year I always aim for the end of March. And I always plant about 6 inches deep, then cover over, then earth up on top. This protects my emerging plants from any late frosts.

      Steve...:)
       
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      • "M"

        "M" Total Gardener

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        • silu

          silu gardening easy...hmmm

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          Have planted some chitted jersies in old compost bags and have them in the greenhouse for hopefully an early crop. I'm going to plant the rest outside and maybe put a plastic clouch over them in case we get some humdinger of frosts. I was reading that you can grow spuds through black polythene which saves earthing up and no weeding:). I like the sound of this and have a roll of black polythene. Does anybody use this method and is it as good as the traditional way?
           
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          • Scrungee

            Scrungee Well known for it

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            A small amount of light gets through black polythene, so any spuds formed close to the surface risk 'greening', plus polythene is impervious and the holes are covered with top growth so there's the extra work in trying to get water to the roots (and avoid increased risk of scab).

            Mypex works better than than polythene sheet and I'm sure I've previously posted how I wrapped it around the ridges the spuds were planted in, fixing it down with wire 'staples' at the bottom of 'furrows', and that this method permitted rainwater to penetrate down to their roots.
             
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            • silu

              silu gardening easy...hmmm

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              Oh great @Scrungee I have spare membrane I used on the shrub beds sure that would do the trick but presume I still need to earth up? or am I being thick?...don't answer this:smile: Don't have any staples would stones do?
               
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              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

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                See this previous post planting through weed membrane
                 
              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

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                'Planted' my first seed spuds today, the ones I've been growing for giant spuds by restricting to one stem per tuber by gouging out eyes, waiting for them to heal + produce secondary shoots form hidden eyes, removing those additional shoots and waiting for the wounds to heal, then planting in ex-mushroom punnets (with drilled bases).

                When those sprout/root, I'll remove any further secondary shoots and pot them up, then in May plant out into long raised beds filled with fine soil [1] and covered with a Monarflex roof and removable polycarbonate panel sides to provide frost protection, then some blight protection. Growing about 40 plants using this method should guarantee a few 'bigguns'.


                [1] To enable furtling around under the plants to remove all but one tuber so the plant will put everything into that one spud.

                big spuds1.jpg
                 
              • silu

                silu gardening easy...hmmm

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                Oh thanks very much @Scrungee I had forgotten that you'd put up a post which I read before...sad old soul that I am. Now got the message and will act accordingly.
                 
              • Linz

                Linz Total Gardener

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                Got 2 sacks started out the back with rockets. Putting rockets and maris peers in the plot tomorrow, if there's enough space on the dug over bits kestrel will go in too. Will also keep 4 of peers and kestrel for more sacks on patio.

                Question is though, bulb planter holes or trenches on plot? My dad's old school and says trenches.. I'm preferring bulb planter cuz I'm a lazy sod.
                 
              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

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                If not planting into areas previously cultivated by the likes of rotorvating, a spade dug trench will loosen up the surrounding soil, and using a bulb planter in uncultivated soil will not do this.

                Another method of planting I use is cutting a shallow trench using an Azada (a genuine Chillington one), then using the same tool for earthing up.
                 
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                • Linz

                  Linz Total Gardener

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                  Hmm.. it's not been rotovated but dug then forked then raked. I'll go with trenches as it's still really heavy. Have not got one of those, spade it is. Cheers
                   
                • JWK

                  JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                  Planted my Winston First Earlies yesterday in big recycling containers in my cold greenhouse. As soon as there is little chance of frost I drag them outside for more sunshine. Expecting to harvest late May/June.
                   
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                  • Scrungee

                    Scrungee Well known for it

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                    Seed spuds being grown for 'giant potatoes' are rooting well, which makes me wonder why they are normally only just chitted, and not chitted plus started off in MPC to also get a root system going before planting out.

                    Can't find anything about starting seeds spuds off in small pots (only growing them in big pots), then transplanting. Has anybody tried (or seen information about) starting seed spuds in moist compost, rather than 'dry' chitting?

                    picasso single eye.JPG


                    P.S. This is the method I'm following How-to-Grow World Class Giant Vegetables
                     
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                      Last edited: Apr 2, 2017
                    • Scrungee

                      Scrungee Well known for it

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