Potatoes - where to start? (Merged Thread)

Penny35_2

I am really keen to grow potatoes, I have read lots but just want to be sure I have this right. So please, please comment...

Put seed potatoes in something like a egg cup till green leaf? appear...

I can put a good layer of soil/compost in a old compost bag, plant 4 potatoes (is is green leaf up)

Then cover with more soil, when 4 inches of green has grown put more soil on so just 2 inches is showing and keep on doing so till bag nearly full.

What sort of a crop of potatoes do you think I will get from this.

Any advise is very welcome I am very very new to all of this.

Penny

retrocircles

I can't help as I'm querying my planting methods also... so maybe someone useful will come & help us both! But I do know when you put the seed potatoes in an egg cup, you're referring to 'chitting'. You're not waiting for leaves at this point, just 'sprouts'.
My problem...

My grow bags aren't very deep & have only put a layer of about 2-3" soil at the bottom. Settled the seed potatoes in a small trench & made small mounds of soil over the potato of at least an inch.

Is that enough? Or should I dig them up & make the 'bottom layer' deeper?

RAS

But basicaly. You are right except you are not waiting for a gree leaf, you just need a small shoot, 2cms is fine, which may be palish , green or even dark purple depending on the variety. You can plant them without the shoot, but at least you know which way is up.

Penny35_2

Thanks RAS...

Anyone know how many I could expect to crop, just so I know how many bags to do ...

Thanks

Moomin

I bought some bags in which to grow potatoes in, and it recommends between 2-3 seed potatoes per bag. Btw, that's a good tip re-using old compost bags. I shall hang onto my one!

arkonite_babe

We have potatoes for beginners thread on greenfingers, I'll add your query to it so all the replies are together. Posts are listed in date order so you'll need to read from the beginning to catch up

retrocircles

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retrocircles wrote: »

My problem...

My grow bags aren't very deep & have only put a layer of about 2-3" soil at the bottom. Settled the seed potatoes in a small trench & made small mounds of soil over the potato of at least an inch.

Is that enough? Or should I dig them up & make the 'bottom layer' deeper?

Bugatti_Boi

Hey Everyone,

I recently bought some potatoes to plant from the pound shop and what I wanted to know is will they grow in the shade because that is where I have planted them and I want to know how long they will tkae to grow becuase it states on the pack that they can be planted from March-April. What I also wanted to know is how many times shall I water them and do I need to water them everyday.

noonesperfect

Hi I hope this will help answer your questions.

Did you let them chit (sprout) before you planted them?

http://www.allotment.org.uk/vegetable/potato/potato-growing-guide.php

I'm not an authority on growing spuds as I only started last year, but my friend and I shared a bag of seed potatoes and I did brilliantly (about a stone of spuds from 6 seed potatoes) where she got pretty much nothing. We both grew them in containers, she tucked hers away in the shade and mine were out in the sun against a south-facing wall. So I guess they like the light and the warmth.

Good luck anyway - hope you do well, it's a great feeling!

flugellover

hi - I am not an expert either - but I think they will do best with some sunshine - and plenty watering. Maybe consider moving some to pots/bags in a sunnier spot and leave some where they are as a kinda controled trial?
good luck with it!