potatoes when to harvest

olias

I planted some potatoes mid may. Don't know the variety, just a small waxy type. How do I know when to harvest, bearing in mind they are underground so I can't see them!

I kept adding soil as they grew to get more yield, but stopped a few weeks ago and there are now healthy large (18 inches) plants above ground. Thanks

Olias

Pipkin

If I remember correctly they are ready to harvest a few weeks after the plants have flowered and the foliage has died back.

Farway

Once they have flowered as Pipkin says, and do not dig them all up at once, try one plant as a trial first

wellused

I read that early potatoes need about 100 to 110 days I think that maincrop is something like 140 days. I dug my earlies today they were planted at the end of march and they were just the right size.

Biggles

The standard answer is: "When they're ready". There's no rule.

Best way to get an idea is to stick your hand into the ridge and have yourself a good grope. See what you can find. If you find a few of a reasonable size, try digging one plant up and have a look.

That, of course, is if you are wanting 'new potatoes'. If you want them for keeping, wait till the haulm (the leaves) dies down, wait a couple of weeks while the skin sets, then dig the whole lot up.

Farway

Biggles wrote: »

have yourself a good grope.

Oooer Missus

sachi

i harvest mine when the plants die and turn brown, i still got a decent crop even though the slugs had eaten half the leaves.:)

McKneff

Some frost had got to some of our potatoes, we cut all the dead bits away and they seem to have recovered. We have harvested a few roots (Aran Pilot) and they were just absolutely delicious with butter and parsley on them,


This is me, who doesn't like new potatoes ha ha.

tiredwithtwins

Biggles wrote: »

... to stick your hand into the ridge and have yourself a good grope...

I love the idea of groping around in muck for spuds!!

love it :T