Seed Potatoes

irnbru_2

Aeshna wrote: »

In fact, what was recommended by other growers for containers for growing potatoes were the likes of the buckets that Morrisons etc use for their fresh flowers.

Due to a lack of space, I start my seed potatoes in these buckets and then transplant into rubble sacks.

Last time I bought them they were 8 for 99p.

retrocircles

irnbru wrote: »

Due to a lack of space, I start my seed potatoes in these buckets and then transplant into rubble sacks.

Last time I bought them they were 8 for 99p.

Thanks for the tip. I got some of these today!
How many seed potatoes should I put in each bucket? & do I have to transplant them to rubble sacks? Or can they live in these buckets for good?

arkonite_babe

mardatha wrote: »

For the first time, we grew potatoes this year, and they were a lovely surprize. However, I would like to know the name of salad - type potatoes to plant next year, and what month to do it. Can't grow earlies up here, must be maincrop, and we get frost up until 1st june.
The ones I got in spring were called Pentland somethings, but they were a bit soft and mushy and I'd prefer a different kind. Any ideas anybody please

This potato guide might be of use to you


HTH

irnbru_2

retrocircles wrote: »

How many seed potatoes should I put in each bucket?

1

retrocircles wrote: »

do I have to transplant them to rubble sacks? Or can they live in these buckets for good?

Yes they need transplanted. The depth and diameter of the buckets is insufficient.

I made the mistake of only putting one potato in the rubble sack. Will be doing 2/3 per sack this year.

retrocircles

irnbru wrote: »

1



Yes they need transplanted. The depth and diameter of the buckets is insufficient.

I made the mistake of only putting one potato in the rubble sack. Will be doing 2/3 per sack this year.

Thanks for the help!
So, to confirm, 1 seed potato in each bucket, then transfer 3 to each rubble sack?

Where can I buy rubble sacks? I couldn't find grow bags, or anything similar in B&Q! :rolleyes:

zarazara

cant add anything but want to say what a great thread. very useful. thanks peeps.

leiela

Ok i wanted to try and grow something and my dad rsuggested i try potato's and onions... so here i am asking for help with the potato's.

I've read the thread and im totally BAFFLED ... im the least outdoorsy girl you would ever have the misfortune of meeting.

I have a big garden with lots of room but i think pots or bags etc might be easier to deal with, at least i can tuck them in the corner without fear of the kids running all over them.

chitting , first earliys ??? rubble sack's !!! Argh ... what are these??

Ok in best "newbie" speak (don't be afraid to talk to me like im a 2 year old) what do i need to do?? and what do i need to buy???

Also i'm feeding a family of 4 what would be a good number of plants?? how do you deal with them at harvest time do they go "off" quickly ... if im lucky how long could i hope to have homegrow potato's for??

irnbru_2

retrocircles wrote: »

Thanks for the help!
So, to confirm, 1 seed potato in each bucket, then transfer 3 to each rubble sack?

I can confirm the success of that in about 6 months Will be the first time I put 3 in a bag. Previously done 1 per bag which was a waste, as you were then only cooking one crop at a time. Putting 3 together seems to be the norm and give a decent volume to cook in one go.

I grow the plant to about a foot in height then transplant.

retrocircles wrote: »

Where can I buy rubble sacks?

Rubble sacks are just glorified bin bags - I just happened to have them at hand but they're strong enough to enable you to carry them while full of compost and potatoes.

You get 20 of them for the price of a B&Q 55cm pot.

B&Q or a builders merchant should stock them.

irnbru_2

leiela wrote: »

Ok i wanted to try and grow something and my dad rsuggested i try potato's and onions...

If you're just starting out I wouldn't get too ambitious. I grew my first lot last year from about a dozen Maris Piper.

If you have a garden centre near you (or B&Q) just go in and ask where the seed potatoes are. At B&Q you'll get 3Kg of seed potatoes (2 varities for a £5 IIRC).

Add 100ltr of (organic) conditioner and mix with your existing soil.

For a £10 spend you should have enough good soil for the base (to start them off) and filler (to cover the folage as they grow).

I've tried growing onion from seed but had little luck (Spring onions were fine). So am trying onion sets this year.

leiela

If i was going to use Pots for my potato's how big would they need to be?? I'd imagine the bigger the better, but is there a minimum size?? depth??

I'm wondering if those big plastic storage tubs would work, you know the kind that use use for kids toy's under the bed?? if you drilled holes in the bottom?? I know a few places that are selling them silly cheap atm.