New potatoes for christmas?

ampersand

Two bins have been going for a couple of weeks now. Should I lightly water compost if it appears dry? (Too late to say 'Don't!' now)
Also, as no shoots are showing yet, I'm wondering whether I should move bins to a spot for warmth in declining sunshine hours.
Thoughts please?

Tabby_Kitten_2

Plant my potatos around the same time as this thread started and they still haven't come up, is there still hope?

janet6267

I have been thinking about a potato bin, but was unsure what to do. If I plant them now when will they be ready and will they be okay outside in the winter? I hope someone can help please.

Farway

Tabby Kiten, I don't think you are going to be lucky this year with them, maybe yours were the sprayed sort to prevent sprouting? No harm in leaving them though, if sheltered & not too wet they may just make through winter to sprout next spring, but don't hold your breath

Janet6267 - same advice re overwintering, but if you have not planted then IMO better to wait until the spring to save any chance of rot / frost

janet6267

Thanks Farway, I think I will try in the Spring then.

Tabby_Kitten_2

Oh, well it was worth a go.I've seen some really nice blue-ish potatos in a seed cat the other day, thought I'd give those ago in the spring.

Farway

Tabby K, Blue spuds, was it this one? Salad Blue?

http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms/salad-blue.html

http://www.heritage-potatoes.co.uk/shop.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=34

If so then do read up on it before you order, not really a salad variety & prone to blight, so it may not be a good choice, but could be fine for blue mash or chips

Dustykitten

I decide to empty out the soil as mine had not grown - thought they might of rotted but they are just as I put them in - should I put them in the light to sprout, leave them in the soil or eat them? They are from my own crop of international kidneys ealier in the year.

ampersand

I see I started this one back at the end of July and only one bin, black plastic, has produced any growth - only 3 shoots at that. The alu one has not, so shall probably empty it now. When I touch them on a clear day, even now temperatures are fast declining, the black bin is warm, the other never.
I will be happy if I have sufficient taties for even one meal.

Farway

Dustykitten wrote: »

I decide to empty out the soil as mine had not grown - thought they might of rotted but they are just as I put them in - should I put them in the light to sprout, leave them in the soil or eat them? They are from my own crop of international kidneys ealier in the year.

Given the cool weather no point in sprouting them this time of year, unless you have heat etc to grow them in

What you have is basically a potato clamp, which is the OS method of storing / overwintering spuds, so your choice to eat or leave them to grow when warm weather arrives

Personaly I wouldeat them & start a fresh next spring