Patio potatoes - when to harvest?

Mrs_P_Pincher

We have four containers, three King Edward, one Maris Piper. The plants are so tall now they are falling over, some have flowered, but no 'fruit'.

How do we know when to harvest them? Mr P is getting a bit impatient, but I'd hate to let a summer's work go to waste by going in too early.

Thanks

Mrs P P

agrinnall

Both varieties are maincrop, and in the garden would probably be best left for a few more weeks, generally they can be harvested once the tops have started to die off although they can stay in the ground for longer - when I picked potatoes on a local farm 40 years ago we didn't do it until early October. In containers there's probably not much point leaving them too long, maybe once the tops start to die you could tip out one of the King Edwards and see how they are, if you think they should be bigger then eat them as new potatoes and leave the others to mature for a bit longer.

pineapple

As a newbie I was too keen and harvested mine too quickly so some were a bit small. Anyhow I've lifted both my second early and my mains now. They had flowered/were flowering and were keeling over.
There is so much conflicting advice on line. I think sometimes you just have to grub around to feel the size of the potatoes.
My desiree potatoes were the most successful.
By the way I am now about to try some special 'late' potatoes which should be ready October/November.