Planting potatoes
Sat, 08/03/2008 - 18:15 — andrew
To get this forum going I'll start. Has anyone planted their potatoes yet?
I'm hoping to get them in as soon as possible, mostly earlies this year in case the blight is back again.
The weather doesn't look great for next week so I'll probably start putting some in next weekend.
Planting potatoes
Traditionally earlies get planted at Easter, but then Easter dates can vary by quite a lot from year to year!
We were discussing that very subject at the FEDAGA shop this afternoon (Inverleith allotments, open 2 to 3.30 Sundays March to April)! The general concensus was that the potatoes should be chitted sufficiently, and the weather not TOO inclement.
Planting potatoes
I'm pretty certain that Monty Don said that it was worthwhile to chit First and Second Earlies but that Maincrops didn't appear to benefit. I think this is because the Earlies are planted into colder soil so it helps to get them started before you bury them. Keeping them exposed to light must help as it prevents long weak growth of shoots which are inevitably broken off during the planting process, setting them back considerably. Once the sturdy shoot is approaching an inch long then they are ready to be planted. This far north, there's no point in putting them in before the end of March. However, I'm sure that others will have different ideas.
Ernie Watt (Cambridge Avenue).
Wait until April!
FEDAGA's potato guru, George Sutherland, confirmed to me yesterday that you shouldn't plant your earlies before April.
Pauline (Redhall Allotments)
Just as well
It's been so cold I never did get the potatoes in anyway so it looks like it will be an April planting.
Yep, it's a tad chilly!
You're right Andrew, glad I waited too! Wouldn't want to condemn my tatties to a cold miserable burial.
Have planted my shallots though.
George Sutherland also said not to plant onions now as they can bolt if planted too early (shallots differ).