growing potatoes in an empty compost bag? (Merged Thread)

Gabriel-Ernest

If you're not chitting, at what point do you plant them? I've just got my delivery of first earlies, second earlies and maincrop, and have been dithering about what to do with them and when. I'm in the London area.

tight_jock

Gabriel-Ernest wrote:

If you're not chitting, at what point do you plant them? I've just got my delivery of first earlies, second earlies and maincrop, and have been dithering about what to do with them and when. I'm in the London area.

I would always chit them as it gives them a head start. I only leave two sprouts on each tuber and if they are big ones cut them in half for double the seeds.
First earlies in from early march if weather reasonable. Not sure about seconds but maincrop traditionally on Good Friday so somewhere in the middle.

Dukie_Boy

HI
I watch a experiment about potato growing on a gardening programme
it proved inconclusive as to which was the best way
Last week at the RYTON ORGANIC GARDENS was Potato day peopl took
their own seeds and potatoes and swopped the

Have a look at their web site it's also a good day out, It's just South
of Coventry on the A45

Good Luck
Dukie Boy

teapot2

Anybody????

Trishh_2

I've had my spuds in egg boxes on the windowsill for a week or so. They're sprouting "chits" well enough, but the spuds themselves have gone green, with the light .... does this mean I'll have to chuck them?

Thanks in advance.

Trish

Addiscomber

No. Green potatoes are only harmful if you eat them. If you don't have your seed potatoes in the light the sprouting bits will become very long and spindly, which is not what you want at all, as they will be weak.

Linda32

Yes, the potatoes which grow will be fine. The seed which you are chitting rots away.

Linda32

teapot2 wrote:

How/where should I keep them in the meantime - any thoughts ie in the dark or light etc etc outside in the shed...... just thinking they might do their own thing anyway?

Hi, yes the shed will be fine, it just needs to be dry and dark. Cold dosn't matter.

Keep the potatoes in the dark, in whichever way suits you. Cardboard box/wrapped in clean rags/pillowcase/envelopes just not plastic, for the same reason you wouldn't keep veggies in plastic.

Kazonline

I bought some Maris peer in the garden center as they were marked as earlies - but on looking at a seed brochure I see they are marked as 'second earlies'. Is it too early to chit these? I'll be planting in an old dustbin in a fairly sheltered spot.
Kaz x
(Ps thank you to everyone who is sharing their knowledge - I did try asking the people at the garden center as it was a small 'local' one, but no joy)

Trishh_2

Thanks guys, glad to hear that!

Thought I must have left them on the windowsill too long :rolleyes:

I'm having a go at spuds, carrots, onions, peppers, tomatoes, all in containers... and I've bought a raspberry bush/plant to try in the garden as well.

Can't wait till the weather gets better

Thanks again for your help :beer:

Trish