easy spud idea

dom300186

I just came across this video on gardeners world thought i would share as looks so easy as i dont have a large garden i will be giving this a go.

I am beginner and havent got a clue lol but i think i manage this.

http://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/projects/potatoes-compost-bag/

EmptyPockets

Wow, thanks for posting - I've never really been too fussed about doing potatoes as I always thought you needed bags of room and they went wild... but we could certainly find space for a few bags to do this. Hmmmmm, must show this to hubby when he gets home :T

dom300186

i know its quit good d we only throw the compost bags away anyway why not chuck some spuds in them, just wondering f i can do the same with sweet potatoe cant see why not but we love em!!!!

Orange_King

I have about 8 lots of spuds coming along in potato planter bags and Tesco bags for Life. Once the first crops are up then more will go in for later in the year.

Just interested in when posters think the ideal time is to lift the potatoes? I saw Alys Fowler have a go and she was disappointed with her return thinking that she was a little impatient. Is it best to let the flowers die before gathering the spuds?

meanmarie

Orange King,

In this part of the world it is usual to let the flowers die before you lift the potatoes, although allegedly you can scrabble around and take out a couple of spuds and then replace soil around remaining potatoes to let them grow on....never tried it but worth a go I reckon.

Marie

Sally_A

I tried this method this year, started off 2 bags in the greenhouse around mid February, but turned them inside out so the black side on the outside would hopefully keep them warmer. As I needed greenhouse space, they were moved outside towards the end of March in a south facing sheltered spot.

I think I may have been a bit slack on the watering though, so only time will tell, the haulms are now over the top of the bag, but no flowers yet.

Variety: Rocket - which is an early.

I was too mean to buy new fresh potting compost, so just used the compost from the large tomato pots that were in the greenhouse from last year, plus a sprinkling of growmore. Other earth thrown on top, comes from potting on seedlings or from the garden. Buying a bag of good potting compost as suggested by Monty would make the harvest more expensive than the shops.

It's only an experiment this year, but I was itching to plant something in February

savemoney

I got them growing in bags now I have 3 potato bags and 2 peat bags (70 litres)

savemoney

Optimisticpair

Orange_King wrote: »

I have about 8 lots of spuds coming along in potato planter bags and Tesco bags for Life. Once the first crops are up then more will go in for later in the year.

Just interested in when posters think the ideal time is to lift the potatoes? I saw Alys Fowler have a go and she was disappointed with her return thinking that she was a little impatient. Is it best to let the flowers die before gathering the spuds?

It depends. Ideal for me is a useable size early with some left growing on for later. I started off Rocket seed potatoes in containers/bags late Feb, one per bag/container to be "ready" in May. What I've had is around 800g (12 oz) per Rocket seed potato so far from each over 3 weeks.

First one was a 14" diameter container all compost, second was a 70l compost bag emptied a week after the first and the third with two in a narrower bag earthed up with soil emptied a week after the second one. I've got two later batches (25 seed potatoes) coming along also though.

NoelleV

I love this idea!
Would it be ok to start them off now? Or do I need to wait till next year?

CharlieBilly

Its not to late

You can even get varieties that are good for Xmas at Thompson and Morgan

NoelleV wrote: »

I love this idea!
Would it be ok to start them off now? Or do I need to wait till next year?