Early spuds are in

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Odsox
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Early spuds are in

Post: # 224970Post Odsox »

There's a rule of thumb down this peninsula that you plant your early potatoes on the 1st of March and start digging them on the 1st of June.
Normally I'm a week or two late, although 2009 I was a week early, but this year I'm spot on.
I didn't intend to put them in today but was spurred into action by the sight of the farmer down the road planting his commercial crop.

Coincidentally, the row of Charlotte I planted in the tunnel on the 3rd Feb are just poking through today, so with a bit of luck and some decent weather, they will be ready on May day. :cheers:
Tony

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pelmetman
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 224973Post pelmetman »

Blimey, my Charlottes are only just chitting :shock:
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gregorach
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 224974Post gregorach »

Damn it! I missed the local potato day... Time to pull some from my remaining stores I guess. Man, I'm so disorganised this year...
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Dunc

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Odsox
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 224975Post Odsox »

pelmetman wrote:Blimey, my Charlottes are only just chitting :shock:
Another reason I planted them today, the Maris Bard first earlies were in the act of climbing out of the tray to plant themselves :lol:
Tony

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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 224993Post dave45 »

I planted mine early last year (2010). The cold weather did them no good at all and they were slower starters than those planted later...

so I'd say go for it if (and only if) you can guarantee mild weather for March !

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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 224995Post Odsox »

dave45 wrote:I planted mine early last year (2010). The cold weather did them no good at all and they were slower starters than those planted later...

so I'd say go for it if (and only if) you can guarantee mild weather for March !
Well, I do have the advantage of a micro-climate similar to the Channel Islands Dave, maybe Lancashire is a bit different. :iconbiggrin:
Tony

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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 225004Post chuck_n_grace »

You know, in all of our planning, I didn't allocate any space for potatoes. I mean, we have some spuds to plant...just didn't think about space.

Any of you grow them in buckets before? 5 gallon buckets?

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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 225013Post Carltonian Man »

chuck_n_grace wrote:
Any of you grow them in buckets before? 5 gallon buckets?
Our earlies have always been a success but mains tend to suffer with scab, particularly round the outer edges (maybe the sun dries them out a bit quick)

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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 225020Post gregorach »

chuck_n_grace wrote:Any of you grow them in buckets before? 5 gallon buckets?
I usually do some first earlies in bags in the greenhouse, and the bags I use are certainly smaller than that. Might not manage this year as the greenhouse is full of crap that was in the shed prior to demolition, and it might take a while to get the new shed built...
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 225112Post Big Al »

Odsox wrote:There's a rule of thumb down this peninsula that you plant your early potatoes on the 1st of March and start digging them on the 1st of June.
Normally I'm a week or two late, although 2009 I was a week early, but this year I'm spot on.
I didn't intend to put them in today but was spurred into action by the sight of the farmer down the road planting his commercial crop.

Coincidentally, the row of Charlotte I planted in the tunnel on the 3rd Feb are just poking through today, so with a bit of luck and some decent weather, they will be ready on May day. :cheers:
Speaking of folklore / rule of thumb etc in the north east you put your spuds in on Good Friday. Mine are still chitting away nicely ready for some good weather and a few sacks.
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 225113Post Big Al »

chuck_n_grace wrote:You know, in all of our planning, I didn't allocate any space for potatoes. I mean, we have some spuds to plant...just didn't think about space.

Any of you grow them in buckets before? 5 gallon buckets?

Regards,
Chuck
simples as the advert says over here. Any container over 12" cubed will surfice. Put a few drainage holes in the base then a thin layer of soil in the bottomput your tubers in and cover with a couple of inches of soil. When the leaves poke through cover them again. with 6 inches of soil. Leave them to grow on and bobs your aunti fany potatoes when you want them.

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Odsox
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 225115Post Odsox »

Big Al wrote:Speaking of folklore / rule of thumb etc in the north east you put your spuds in on Good Friday.
That's a bit hit and miss isn't it Big Al, Good Friday can vary from March 20th to April 23rd.
You must have some late taters up your way some years :iconbiggrin:
Tony

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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 226748Post Millymollymandy »

I was just going to say the same thing! :iconbiggrin:
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 226762Post bonniethomas06 »

My FE's went in a fortnight ago. I have two rows in the patch, some in the polytunnel and two in a large box inside our house porch. The inside ones have sprouted above the compost already!

My earlies are Rocket, Pink Fir and my favorite, Red Duke of York.
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Re: Early spuds are in

Post: # 226766Post Odsox »

My Charlottes basking in the gorgeous sunshine this afternoon. :cheers:
Spuds.jpg
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Tony

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