Topic: How many seed potatoes

[Kendy]

Just got my allotment and looking to plant some spuds but don't know what weight to buy.   Looking at online catalogues, they seem to quote 3 or 6kg.  What length of ground would 3kg cover when planted ?

[saddad]

It depends, some seed are smaller than others so you get more in your "net" of 3 or 6kg... we plant about 30 kg in rows of about 15... usually get 45 (3 rows) per 3 kg but can get 60...
 :-\

[tim]

Our 3kgs=between 40&60. At 12" apart for earlies, 15" for main but at least 20" for PFA!

24"- 30" between rows.

[Curryandchips]

but at least 20" for PFA!

I have always planted my PFA on the same spacing as maincrop, ie 15 inches ... have I been limiting my crop size ... ?  :(

Derek :)

[tim]

Don't know - but, since PFA foliage grows to 4+', it surely needs a lot more room than your average variety?

Talk about knitting!!

[cleo]

3kg takes up a fair bit of land. One of the things I miss about not having allotments anymore is that I now I only grow one or two varieties and then have to throw some seed spuds away.

It was fun when a few of us each bought a bag and then shared-plenty of varieties to try but still only the 3kg space needed

[Tee Gee]

In old money you get roughly 6 tubers to the pound (.4536 kg) which converts to roughly 13 tubers to the kilo.

Obviously if the tubers are quite large you will get a few less, conversely a few more if quite small.

In terms of rows I work on 1 tuber per foot length i.e. I plant 5 tubers across a five foot wide bed.

If you are growing in long rows you would use about 40 tubers to a 30ft row.

I hope that gives you a better idea.

[Barnowl]

TG is the man, but we planted a little bit closer at 9" apart  for earlies in a raised bed and results were ok. Will try varied spacing this year to compare. In London so warmer than average and have light sandy soil which drains/drys very quickly so water relatively frequently which means our experience not necessarily relevant :)

Also going to try some earlies in bags this year so as to keep beds available for other crops

[KMARKSnr]

Hi all,
        We planted our main crop (lady balfour), 18" apart,in rows 2`6" apart,allowing plenty of fresh air between the rows,and also giving blight a hard time getting hold of this already resistant variety.
         The crops we`ve had from this variety have been superb ;D,and we would recommend to all.

                       Best wishes,
                               Mark.