Preparedness for when

Shropshirelass

DD&D We planted Romano they were sprouting in the cupboard, so didn't want to waste them. I made a note of type when we planted so have checked on gardening sites, apparently they are 'main crop' type, and should only be ready in September, so serious spuds then! Goody, goody!! Will keep watering, as they are in a wooden tub! I'm thrilled really, my granddad was a big allotmenteer, a hundred years ago now, but I never thought I'd be growing my own.

I have some packs of spud mash powder in the back of my pantry cupboard (mini-stash), often use it to stretch leftover hm mash, or to make fishcakes, potato cakes etc. Will also try the tinned, thanks for tip.

alfsmum

Think I will be adding tinned tatties to the shopping list, could stack a few tins away with the beans and tomatoes!

[Deleted User]

If you are thinking of buying in dried mashed potatoes, I find Mr Mash is the product that rehydrates best, and the packets are £1 at Ic*land, and that is 4 x 4 portion packs of dried mash, we like the flavour as the nearest to fresh mash we've found, hope that is useful, Cheers Lyn xxx.

[Deleted User]

So, how are our newbies getting on with assembling their BOBs?

alfsmum

Don't think I've had dried mash since I was a student (rather a long time ago :rotfl:) but wouldn't hurt to have a few packets in.

GreyQueen

Shropshirelass wrote: »

No more complaints about TPTB tonight from me, as my grandma used to say: don't try to change other people, change yourself woman I'm feeling much calmer and less liable to rant now I've had my tea anyway :cool: Keep calm and carry on...

Can I ask .. we planted potatoes in January, and kept covering the sprouting tops with mulch as advised, till they sprouted too fast for us to keep pace. Now the tops are about 5 inches, no flowers. Do we have to wait for flowers before digging them up? Can I just have a peep? Its the first time we have grown them, if successful, think it wont be the last time.

Wow, you did well to keep them alive past the frosts.

Tatties grow until a) they've done growing, turned brown and the tops (haulm) have withered away or b) you dig them up because you want them.

If you let nature run it's course, you'll maximise the size of the spuds. But if you have at them sooner, you'll have a smaller spud but at a time when there's a premium on them.

Many varieties of spuds barely flower at all, so don't pay much attention to the flowers, it's the haulm dying back which is the clue. If it happens naturally, they floop a bit, go yellow and then wizen up and turn brown, eventually going to dry sticks which will come out of the ground with a gentle tug. That's a tater gone to the end of it's growth cycle.

If they go funny in a day or so, you're probably looking at blight. Think of it as bubonic plague for spuds and you get the idea.

I'd guess that spuds about now would be approx the marble caliber, unless you've grown undercover, but do have a gentle furtle. I'd leave them at least another month, then start having at them one root at a time, so the ones not yet needed can still be growing.

Tinned and packet tater hoarders to a person, I guessed I was preaching to the choir. Good on ya.

I've been planning a trip on the web and am already soooo frustrated with the carp public transport in this bliddy country that I'm tempted to stay home and sulk..............! Ye gods and little fishies, I can get hundreds of miles across Europe easier and often cheaper than I can get around these islands. Grrrrrr!!!!!

short_bird

Just in case you wanted another issue to think about... waste disposal_pale_

mcjordi

so fed up today its unreal.. feels like my head is gonna explode. things seem to have hit a wall today. Had a phone call to say i have to fill in another esa50 and thats stressed me out.
Sorry for the mini rant but i have no one really to talk to when i like this.

[Deleted User]

Excuse my ignorance, but what's an esa50 :huh:

mcjordi

limited capability for work questionaire for esa (esa50)