New potatoes for christmas?

taplady

In one of the other threads someone said they had planted new pots to be ready for christmas.
Have never grown these but would like to, am I in time? and where is the best place to buy them from?

Old_Joe

Yes there's still time.
I put four salad potatoes - I'd bought from Lidl's - with just enough soi to cover them last week in a used Poultry fertilizer pellets bucket.
When the shoots grow enough to break the the top of the soil I add more soil and continue this until the bucket is nearly full.

Muppet81

Do you leave the bucket outside or put in in a cold greenhouse?

I'mcomingbackasaman

Old_Joe wrote:

Yes there's still time.
I put four salad potatoes - I'd bought from Lidl's - with just enough soi to cover them last week in a used Poultry fertilizer pellets bucket.
When the shoots grow enough to break the the top of the soil I add more soil and continue this until the bucket is nearly full.

Wouldn't mind growing some potatoes, can you tell me:

1. Do you need to water them, and if so do you need holes in the container?
2. Can they be grown indoors or always outside (as long as theres no frost)?

Thanks Old Joe

kittykat500

Hi Taplady,

I would also like more info on this; like how often do you need to water; how much soil do you add each time - just enough to cover; can the bucket be left inside; roughly how long before they're ready to pull out?

Thanks in anticipation.

taplady

kittykat500 wrote:

Hi Taplady,

I would also like more info on this; like how often do you need to water; how much soil do you add each time - just enough to cover; can the bucket be left inside; roughly how long before they're ready to pull out?

Thanks in anticipation.

need to know all this myself too!;) have just grown my first old spuds outside but never tried new ones in a bucket.
Any one know the answers?

wendyjb

In response to questions, as i believe it, the answers are:

Can be kept outside (sheltered position) or in an unheated greenhouse.
Watering - depends on rainfall, but do try and keep them moist. Mine were drying out over summer, so pots are fairly small still.
Do have holes in container for drainage, else if the bucket gets waterlogged the pots will rot.
Add enough soil each time to cover up the shoots. When the bucket is full you need to shut out the light. The best way is to get some weedproof membrane - couple of pounds from wilko's for a huge sheet. Secure a piece over the top of the bucket with some string, and then cut holes to allow the shoots to come through. Not sure if any material will do, polythene, might cause too much condensation so may contribute too rotting.
Mulching with grass cuttings or straw might do the trick.
Have a burrow around in December to see how they are going. You can use them straight from the bucket if you're going to eat them straightaway.
If you take care when you get your pots out, you can then replant the haulms (foilage) with the smaller pots still attached, to carry on growing bigger.
Once the haulms have died down, cut them off at soil level. Any remaining potatoes can stay in the bucket for a week or so. This allows the skin to set so they can be stored. But my guess is that they won't be stored for long.
I harvested my first batch of potatoes out of buckets yesterday, to go with a Sunday roast and they were scrummy!!

I've grown pots for the first time this year, so if any more qualified growers can add to my response or correct if i've got it wrong, please feel free. One thing i've learn't from growing my own veggies is that you never stop learning!

HTH.

wendyjb

Just one other thought, if you've a greenhouse or conservatory (unheated is fine)

You can use this principle for carrots too. If you sow a couple of buckets with Early Nantes or Autumn King now, you'll have lovely baby carrots to go with your new potatoes on Chrissie Day!

How about some spring onions to go with Turkey salad on Boxing Day?
And all year round cut and come again salad greens

The list goes on..............

Chip_Butty_3

Can you put any potatoes in now, ready for christmas. Or do you have to buy a specific type ?

Old_Joe

Oops, sorry I haven't been back to this thread since making my earlier posting fielding your questions, but thanks to wendyjb I think your questions have been answered.

Chip_Butty . . . yes there's still time to plant them now, as for specific type. . . No, but personally use the smaller "Concorde" salad potatoes because I buy then fairly reguarly and because they are a 'first early' variety

ampersand

Have always wanted to do this and am reading conflicting advice(as so often with matters jardin).
I intend using an old aluminium dustbin unless told 'NO!'
All advice would be welcome - thankyou.
(Would love to do Nadine, to my mind the loveliest potato around.)
Have previously grown taties in garden using sprouty leftovers - probably these will take too long to reach this stage now?)